Ear Problem - maybe just in the right Ear?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi, just here to ask for some ideas/help towards a likely ear related issue, I've been trying to cope with for several months now, I get a lot of dizziness, faintness and fatigue, and it seems to trigger and worsen as more noise and sounds enters a room, I get it at home but it's quite minimal compared to public places, shopping centres and at work it is extremely uncomfortable. the only useful thing I've discovered is when i put a ear plug in my right ear it get 80% better in seconds!, not completely gone but makes each day alot of more managable to cope with except it means I'm talking to loud now and not being able to listen what others are saying at work and its causing problems. I have been to my GP and they did a general Vertigo test, blood pressure etc and that was all average results and no ear infections were found. all my symptoms are as follows, Dizziness, fatigued, light headed, muscle pains in neck and shoulders. No earaches have been present. any help to what this may be and or called would be much appreciated. Thank you.
0 likes, 9 replies
Olizzieo christophe34946
Posted
Hi, if sound and changes in pressure causes dizziness, it could be semi circular canal dehiscence (SSCD). You would need to see an ENT to have a scan to see if this is the problem. Hyperacusis is a discomfort to loud sound, but it's not usually related to dizziness, so I don't think this is the problem. Phone around to see which ENT in your area specialises in SSCD as many ENTs don't and some don't even diagnose it when the pathology is obvious. Google this so you can see if the symptoms match what you are experiencing but from what you are saying I doubt it could be anything else. A temporary fix is avoiding changes in pressure ie flying, going up in lifts and turning the volume of sound down or wearing an ear plug. Let me know how you go!!
christophe34946 Olizzieo
Posted
dizzyear christophe34946
Posted
Hi Christophe,
I agree with Olizzieo. It makes sense to get checked for Superior Canal Dehiscense (SCDS or SSCD). Sound induced dizziness (called tullio's phenomenon) is a symptom of this condition. If the sound is causing disconfort this is called Hyperacusis another possible symptom of SCDS. Certain sounds like clapping can be very uncomfortable. I have this condition and am happy to answer any questions if you feel like the symptoms fit. The symptoms of people with SCDS vary a lot so don't rule this out if you don't have all the symptoms. I started out with just one symtpom for several years. Can you hear your own voice loudly when you speak in your ear showing symtpoms? This is a fairly common symptom called Autophony.
christophe34946 dizzyear
Posted
Should I cease driving until I resolve this issue? I've never had a problem in a vehicle yet, but if I were to gets these dizzy spells on the road that would give me quite the worry towards myself and others!.
christophe34946 dizzyear
Posted
I do get that high pitch ringing sound a few times a week, especially when its quiet but still thought that might be common as well.
Thanks again!.
Regards, Chris.
dizzyear christophe34946
Posted
Hi Christophe,
Loud chewing is part of the symptom called Autophony. I have this as well. It is hard to carry on a conversation while eating due to the noise. Some of the people with SCDS (myself included) can hear when our eyes move. It is normally described as a gritty swooshing sound. Maybe you are hearing your eyes, though I have not heard this described as crackling sounds before. From other posts, when people describe hearing a crackling sound in their ear are often thought to have eustachian tube dysfunction ETD. You might want to read up on this condition as well. Many of these vestibular conditions have overlapping symptoms making diagnosis difficult for the Drs. Some people with SCDS also hear their blinking, joint movements, or can hear their footsteps. I suspect that when you are opening your mouth wide, this is just causing your ears to pop. It might just sound a bit different than normal. The high pitch ringing sound is called tinnitus. It is common for people with SCDS (I do not have this symptom).
Not sure if you should stop driving. This depends on the severity of your symptoms. Mine are mild enough that I continue my normal routine.
Questions:
Are your dizzy spells triggered by noise, or quick head movements? How long do these last? When you say dizzy spells do you mean vertigo (feeling like the room is spinning)? If caused by noise, this is probably from SCDS. If your dizzy spells are caused by quick head movements (room spinning type of dizzy) and last < 2 minutes you might look into BPPV and the epley maneuver.
christophe34946 dizzyear
Posted
the dizzies last until i leave work then within a few mins im fine. so at least 8 hours non-stop every day!
. i work in retail so gets worse as it gets busier more voices and the radio is turned on once we open shop. our drink fridges are quite loud to!. come to think of it once the radio is turned on fridges start buzzing away it really starts to come over me and just gradually gets worse to a peak point i have to put a ear plug in to get through the day. not only at work, it has hit me really bad the shopping malls as well. at home sometimes it happens more so if i have the windows open to let fresh air in and sound pores in along with it. it never seems to occur when I have headphones on listening to music maybe the pitch or frequency doesn't trigger it in that way. its not like the room is spinning or anything like that, its like feeling fazed out, I could almost say it feels like a hangover but without the feeling to be sick.
Olizzieo christophe34946
Posted
gjl3109 christophe34946
Posted
Hi Christopher;
It sounds like you are getting great support and help here and you are on the way to getting answers to your questions. I might ask if you have checked your blood pressure? Sometimes low blood pressure (going from a seated to standing position) can cause dizzieness. Being anxious, overwhelmed and stressed can also cause other issues.
I have a belief that we all know our bodies better than our doctors. They see us anywhere from 2 to 4 times a year, and we see ourselves 365 days a year. While we are not professionals (ie: doctors) we are professionals of what is happening to us and our bodies each and every day.
I also believe in being more educated about my body and what is going on with it. So I created a BASE LINE JOURNAL of myself. 10 years ago, I had a hearing test done on me by an audiologist. Every year or 2 I visit for a follow up. Before 10 years ago, I think the last test I had was when I was 8 years old (in school by the school doctor / audiologist). I check my vitals on a regular basis (BP) Blood Pressure, I use a pulseox meter to check blood oxygen levels, and a digital thermometer . I have also included over the last 10 + years, a glucometer to check my blood sugar. No I don't have Diabetes, but I have noticed that if I have and infection or I have been given a shot (that is a steroid) that my sugar rises.
While my wife is diabetic, when we first met her, I had some of the common symptoms thought to be of a person with diabetes. I wasn't, and it was confirmed with her meter. This is an example of symptoms that may resemble one issue, actually being nothing at the time or maybe something different.
While I am not a doctor or a medical professional. When I think of Vertigo, dizziness, fatigue, light headedness, muscle pain in the neck and sholders. I would check with the GP (that you did), see an audiologist, and also see an ENT.
This is just my opinion, but it sounds like you have been given great information and support by those who have been talking with you on this forum. I know when I was having issues with my ears and hearing over a year ago, I valued the support from ALL on this site. It got me through ALL the TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS that I was going through.
Thank you one and all.