hi - new member

[Mutz-NZ]

hi everybody- suffered for many a year with a muffled ear as if full of cotton wool which means sound when speaking is as if an echo - difficult to explain - have been told Tinnitus - anybody else experience this -

[Elane8701]

have they checked your sinuses and Eustachian tube?? Could be related to that xx

[Mutz-NZ in reply to Elane8701]

no - suffered for years but got worse so went to consultant who did mri scan thinking it would confirm thoughts of a particular problem -?it didn’t but did show Benin tumour!! However positive nothing to do with ear issue - diagnosed T but this strange feeling is getting worse as us the sound of a sound like a radio wave!!!!! So frustrating - thinking if going to a hearing centre

[MRSDOUBT in reply to Mutz-NZ]

It's worth having your hearing checked if you haven't already.I have tinnitus and now wear hearing aids due to loss of hearing in both ears. It has helped to reduce my tinnitus which is alot worse when I don't wear them. It takes a while to get used to them as your hearing sounds your brain isn't used to and the brain has to adjust. Hope you get some relief soon x

[Pineappleonpizza]

Eustachian Tube? You could Google Eustachian Tube disfunction and look at the symptoms.

[Tourk]

Hi you didnt mention what your doctor says, if you haven't seen a doctor yet I would strongly suggest you do.

The muffled sound could be something as simple as you needing tohave your ears serranged. It quite common for wax to build up.

When my tinnitus plays up it's a constant buzzing sound with pressure in both ears. I use a hand cream I make to ease my ra makes a hudge difference. I use essential oils in it. Ginger, Burger Mont, a few drops of Frankenstein sense and lavender.

[Mutz-NZ in reply to Tourk]

Hello - consultant put a grommet in - didn’t help - just a live with it scenario ! Only one ear but it is now invading on life- makes me lose confidence if travelling alone on tubes- planes etc - no wax!!! Up to try anything - now retired have more time to think about it - not always good

[Tourk in reply to Mutz-NZ]

It's one of the disabilities that can be over powering, and yet in its seen as just a bit of buzzing so why make a fuss.I've had it on and off all my life its got worse over time. When I went to the ent clinic after different tests they said I had Rhinitis ( the Tennis wasn't playing Up at the time) gave a Prescription for a Netty nasal rinse. With the cream I make it keeps it mostly at a manageable level.

Alot if people use essential oils, it's certainly something worth looking at .

I see some great comments in reply to you some good advice.

Hope it helps

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Mutz

My understanding is that grommets are often inserted to try and tackle blockages and allow fluid to drain from the inner ear or to help with problems equalizing air pressure in the ear - which is where eustachian tube problems might enter the picture.

If they're helping with one of those functions, it's possible that the relief which results might take some of the attention or difficulty with tinnitus away - you're dealing with fewer issues, logically, so tinnitus doesn't feel as intense when we have more energy available to us to manage it.

In terms of the echoing quality you've mentioned, there is a condition called autophony where people notice an echoing quality to sounds, tinnitus and ear fullness sensations - this means that it can be confused with other health issues affecting the ear, nose and throat.

Hope things improve for you soon.

[Mutz-NZ in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thankyou - your observations are spot on - first time somebody has described exactly what I experience -,further reading says little I can do but will mention to GP - again thankyou