Muffled Ear

[Pink6-]

Hello everyone,

Has anyone had a muffled feeling in the ear? I don't know why but I feel that it could be middle ear or inner ear issues. I feel as my voice sounds strange in the left ear (the one with the moderate hearing loss). It feels very strange but not as muffled as pressure when flying, nevertheless, it just has a different feel to it. The sound of my voice is slightly different as if there is feedback or another tone but only when I speak or make different sounds as if I am warming up for singing lessons!

I had a hearing test a couple of months ago and the left ear has lost hearing in short space of time as I had another hearing test earlier this year.

I called ENT and audiology at the hospital and I am on a waiting list anyway to see both departments.

[Franky127]

My left ear concern is identical to you, pressure feeling in the inner ear unlike what you feel when you are flying. I have noise distortion just like you and when music is playing it sounds distorted as if someone is wailing. I have been told by the ENT surgeon that the brain nerves and ear nerves have some how lost correct communication for some reason or another, He also tols be that I need hearing aids and that when thge brain and ear gert used to them then the nerves will knit back together again. He has also perscribed Betahistine tablets which I have been on for the last three months. The tablets have had little or no effect so my GP has doubled the dosage hence I get headaches. Still no effect so may have to go back to the GP who will probably dowuble the dosage again. We shall see eh. My pressure / hearing loss and distorted hearing happened within 24 hours last December. Oh and I have had tinnitus for quite a few years now. 😕

[Pink6- in reply to Franky127]

Try HAs to see if they help. I wear them. My T started January 2021 out of tje blue. The left ear has been pretty silent all this time but noticed a noise three months ago. It didn't bother me as it was so quiet during the day, I didn't hear it. It was a distant hum but only slightly audible at night when my head touched the pillow. Then this new sensation appeared last Thursday. As if the low noise of before has changed to this new more prominent noise. It's in the ear that has been quiet all this time.

There is an old saying:

Worrying is paying a debt that is not due.

All meds carry side affects . Get a second opinion about your meds.

[Franky127 in reply to Pink6-]

Have been wearing hearing aids since February this year but the left ear concern still the same. Just riding the storm at the moment to see what happens over the next few months. 🙂

[doglover1973]

Hi Pink. I've had a muffled feeling in my good ear at times recently. I feel as if I'm standing in a windy tunnel. A bit of a worry as I rely on my good ear . Hope you don't have to wait too long for ENT & Audiology. I'm currently waiting too.

[Pink6- in reply to doglover1973]

Thank you Doglover. You are always full of good will to others. I hope you see your ENT consultant soon.

Thankfully, mine has abated today and I'm oblivious to that sensation I felt Thursday night and all day yesterday. It seems to come and go. Hope it stays away!

[doglover1973 in reply to Pink6-]

That's good news. My muffled - ness comes and goes too which gives me hope that it's not further hearing loss. Just the T playing up! We can always hope 🙂

[Pink6-]

Yes that's good it's intermittent. It's comforting and reassuring to know it isn't further hearing loss. Keep positive!

[PABLR]

I get it in my left ear, which has the least hearing of the two. It comes and goes and I've tried to find what triggers it, and know that it may happen if I'm in a noisy environment. I get the whole hearing my voice inside my head thing and as I already hear several different tinnitus sounds I could do without that! It occasionally happens in the other ear as well, but it's not as pronounced or annoying. Luckily it has never lasted longer than a few hours, and once for a day, but it's not a good feeling, so sympathy flying your way.

[Pink6-]

Yes thank you PABLR, glad to learn you T only lasts a few hours at best. Mine has settled and the muffled-ness has abated. Hope it disappears into the aybss and fall out of the bottomless hole into nothingness! 😃

[PABLR]

Just to be clear the tinnitus is constant. It is the muffledness (to mean it seems mores as though the ear is plugged) that comes and goes.

[positive-thoughts]

I've started having temporary hearing defecit during the day. Its like when you comeout of a Swimming Pool and you can still hear but there is a blockage. It changes your voice. I'm on a Prostate Cancer Drug called Xtandi and I have read somewhere on line that drugs can affect tiny blood flow which can affect hearing. I do use headphones in listening to items on the computer. Not music. It comes and goes and usually does not last the night and which ear is random. Not been on the drug for more than five months. Never had a hearing problem before. Going to try my Inversion Table to see if that helps blood flow.

[Pink6- in reply to positive-thoughts]

That's a relief that your hearing deficit is only temporar, Positive-Thoughts.

Can you explain what an Inversion Table is and how it helps please?

[positive-thoughts]

Some fifteen years ago I suffered severe Sciatica attack and bought a s/h Inversion Table which I could use once I was almost better. Its a flat panel which pivots in the middle your feet being secured. Laying on the thing then you can move and upend yourself, so that the blood will slowly rush to your head. This at entirely your arm movement command. You antigravity your head usually for no more than a matter of ten/ fifteen seconds. I use it to stretch my Vertebrae if i feel I have lifted comething too heavy. Don't want Sciatica again- ever! Enough to cope with.