Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply. The noise exposure occurred and lasted for 20 minutes. It was an MRI scan of the thoracic spine, and they gave me earplugs, which had no music or noise-canceling sound played during the scan. It was very loud and uncomfortable, but they told me it would be loud. However, by the end, when they removed the earplugs, my ears were burning with pain. I was dizzy, almost shell-shocked, and had a buzzing sound in my head. By the time I got home, I noticed that the most trivial moderate sounds, like a boiling kettle, would cause intense pain. My hearing was muffled, and my ears felt clogged. About four days later, I attended the emergency department and was prescribed Betahistidine for two weeks. Two days later, I talked to another doctor and started on Prednisolone 60 mg. I was seen by an ENT the following week, and he continued the Prednisolone for two weeks with a slight taper. Since then, my symptoms have not improved much. I still have the following symptoms. 1. Bilateral ear pain. 2. Burning sensation. 3. Clogged sensation. 4. Muffled or distorted hearing. 5. Tinnitus. 6. Difficulty sleeping. 7. Hyperacusis. 8. A feeling of discomfort and pressure any time I am stressed or trying to concentrate. I had a pure tone audiogram and had attached the results. I am not sure how well the tests were done. I also tried a diuretic for three weeks, Bendroflumethiazide, 1.25 mg per day. But no effect, so I stopped. I have pictures taken from an otoscope and am wondering if there is any evidence of a secondary issue, like otitis externa, that could be causing some of the issues, and if any other issue is evident. I asked for the otoacoustic emission tests, as I hoped they would help clarify the nature of any damage that has been done, by the noise exposure: such as damage to the outer hair cells. But the audiologist told me she did not have much experience interpreting DPOAES and TEOAES for adults. The image she sent is not very clear. So I am wondering if you can offer any insight, as to the nature of the issue, if there is obvious permanent damage, or if it might resolve. I have read that noise injury can sometimes be helped by addressing different issues, such as 1. Blood flow to the inner ear, via vasoactive or hemorheological agents. 2. Oxidative stress, by using magnesium, vitamins C, A, and E. 3. Addressing the neurotransmitters, such as excessive glutamate activity by using compounds that would calm the issue, such as low-dose Alprazolam or Clonazepam. 4. Using Nortriptyline to help with pain and hyperacusis. 5. Doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Please suggest your opinion on this.