New Member - Trying to cope
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hello all,
I just found this forum and thought I would introduce myself and hopefully get some feedback. My name is Kevin, and I'm 32 years old. I unfortunately have been experiencing some Tinnitus in my right ear for about the last week and a half. I was being stupid and shooting pistols with a couple of friends and was not wearing hearing protection. As soon as I heard the gun go off I instantly heard ringing in my ears and I continued shooting the gun a total of 10 times (I know big mistake!). For the next couple of days I seemed to have trouble hearing in both ears, although my right ear was worse. As of now it appears that the hearing in my Left ear seems to be fine, no ringing or hearing issues that I can detect. The pistol was extended out from my body, to the sound should have been equal on both sides.
My right ear is more prone to earwax buildup and I periodically have to have it removed. After the first couple days I ran water through my ear in the shower (I guess in hopes it would stop the ringing) and it seems that since then I have a tingling sensation and slight pressure in my right ear, in addition to the ringing still occuring. I went to my PCP provider this morning and she did clean out the wax buildup in both ears with a curette. She then re-checked my ears and said everything looked normal to her. However I am panicking again because I am still hearing the ringing and still have the tingling sensation inside my right ear. Is it possible that there is fluid (water) trapped inside my ear (from when I attempted flushing water in it) where it can't drain? I'm also wondering if my inner ear might still be swollen from the sound blast and that the pressure is increased, causing the ringing?
I've also noticed that when I talk, certain sounds seem more raspy, like I'm talking from a broken speaker, not sure if this could be a side effect of fluid/pressure I described above. I've also noticed when I have stomach contractions (indigestion?) that I can detect a very quick change in pressure in my ear and a change in the ringing.
It seems like the ringing has decreased (or at least my perception of it), however my voice still sounds muffled when I talk. Just trying to remain optimistic about the whole thing, hoping that it will go away. I'm considering making an appointment with an ENT if this still doesn't improve in a couple of days. Any feedback is appreciated!
1 like, 9 replies
terrie27149 kdr85
Posted
I have had T for almost 2 yrs. Not long ago, stupid me also shot a pistol and almost dropped it when my ears rang to such intensity I cried out in an awfull panic. Thankfully, the very loud shrill left after a while, but still got this T. Learning to adjust with fan at nite. Mine is mostly loud when it's quiet..some days it's worse when I'm stressed, tired or with high salt intake..bit good to know it usually calms back down. I try not to think about the day it may not calm. I just deal with each day as it comes..hope yours soon goes away. Give a few weeks..and start protecting yr ears..
martin31040 kdr85
Posted
Hi, a sudden loud noise like a gun shot could cause tinnitus, I've had Tinnitus for for 23 years both ears, but really in the head, mine is noise induced, noisy work environment and going to night clubs, noise induced tinnitus is caused by over stimulation of the hear system sudden excessive really loud noise or prolonged loud noise, yours may go, but the longer it persists the less likey it will stop, there is no cure, it's a case of living with it, you do sort of habituate to it after some time, but as I say you may be lucky and it goes.
glamour martin31040
Posted
Soldiers subjected to loud bomb noises are treated by the Army with exercises and psychological chat which apparently helps. I have not tried these yet but i will try almost anything to get back to normal.
hope you get some relief soon
Sue.An glamour
Posted
martin31040 glamour
Posted
Hi, yes I have seen that, the military have a high prevalence of tinnitus in troops and veteran's, there seems to be a host of things that can trigger tinnitus like you say ear syringing for one.
terrie27149 Sue.An
Posted
I believe there is ALWAYS HOPE. after 2 yrs I'm still clinging to tht. My ent wanted me to gt hearing aids. I have very minimal high pitched hearing loss, but I swear I dnt blev that caused my T. Either severe stress, or the dye from catscan is what I'm leaning toward. But he told me, well when it gets so bad you can't stand it, come back and see me..well I am not accepting that! And besides, I dnt think hearing aids help from what I read...
Sue.An terrie27149
Posted
terrie27149 Sue.An
Posted
glamour kdr85
Posted
Mine started when i had my ears syringed in Nov 2017, and it raged. I saw a ENT specialist yesterday. He did not take on board the principles of cause and affect and that either some structure either in my ears or near to my ears has been damaged. Rather like the after affects of pistol shooting. It has been arranged that I will have some sessions with a Tinnitus specialist who hopefully will teach me to ignore the noises. I will keep you all posted. If it is successful I will make sure you all get a outline of my experience.
Keep well
G