sudden onset ear fullness and hearing loss

[queridalady]

Hi everyone, having a bit of a panic and would like to ask your advice. I'm 52 and have had tinnitus in my left ear for many years. I have noticed over the last few months that I think its starting in my right ear also (hard to tell sometimes). However today I get up feeling fine and then at lunchtime (I am working from home and on various video calls) I noticed that my ears were starting to feel sensitive to noise. It escalated rapidly and within an hour I had pressure in both ears and in my right ear I cant hear, as if I am underwater. I also had screaming tinnitus in the right ear but it has settled to normal levels now. My other ear also feels full but not as bad so I can hear a little in my left ear but it is hyper sensitive to noise. I have called my GP and he cant see me until Saturday and didn't really seem bothered. so I insisted and have an appointment with a nurse tomorrow but I am really worried. I don't have any signs of infection or feeling ill, blocked sinuses etc. No dizziness either. I just have pressure in my ears and can hardly hear. and it came on so suddenly. I take thyroxine and a 5mg dose of amitriptyline for bladder pain. The last few days I have upped the dose to 10MG but I cant see how this would cause it?

Has anyone had any similar experiences? I am a bit scared.

Thank you for your help.

[Hidden]

Check out the possible side effects of both medicines before you see your Dr.

From the little I know about T both dizziness and anxiety, appear to be the cause of my T. Both medications can have these side effects among other side effects. Don't panic as all medications have some side effects, it is just a matter of which ones you can tolerate. Something Dr's make that decision for you, usually without telling you.

Whenever I sit down to relax becomes the worst moments of T. Keeping myself busy stops the brain producing the T and concentrates on the work at hand. I keep an ear plug and radio at hand for when I sit down for a quiet moment to over power the T that ensues.

[queridalady in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply Cheyne, I have taken both these meds for many years. I have a bit of tinnitus in my left ear now but what concerns me is that I am completely deaf in it. even if I touch the outside of my ear I cant hear anything.....surely that doesn't happen with tinnitus? Its not something I have read before. confused

[Happyrosie]

It really sounds like an infection to me - so it’s a good thing you are seeing a health professional.

[Lynne-H]

Sounds like either an ear infection or a virus - hopefully your hearing will return with some treatment. Wax could be another possibility. Hope you get some answers when you see the Nurse.

[queridalady]

Thank you for your replies everyone. Nurse couldn't see obvious problem but said it could be fluid in inner ear. Antibiotics just in case and referring me for MRI as it happened so quickly

[Katoomba]

Hi queridalady - I've been researching amitriptyline and there are some internet articles saying it makes tinnitus worse (screaming tinnitus) - see the link below - so you may want to rethink your dose & discuss with your Dr?

hearinglosshelp.com/blog/tr...

Hope this helps.

[CamperT25]

my ears often feel pressured, ive bn diagnosed with eustacian tube dysfunction, this causes the pressure build up. Hooe this helps hxx

[Halen12]

I had a similar experience prior to a rapid decline in hearing loss in one ear. Get yourself to see a good ENT consultant thats my advice and rule things out or in as the case maybe

[queridalady]

Thanks everyone. I've had an MRI and all ok thankfully. Tests show loss of lower frequency hearing in right ear. I am taking steroids and hoping for the best. ENT says sometimes there is some improvement, sometimes not. Just have to wait and see. 😔

[Ringring89 in reply to queridalady]

Hi queridalady. Did you symptoms ever go away?