HomeAnswersAudiologyhearing testI have a lot of confusion regarding my recent hearing test. Kindly help me.

Can you give your opinion about my hearing test results?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. K. Shobana

Published At February 22, 2021
Reviewed AtMay 23, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I want to ask a question about my recent hearing test. I want to confirm whether it is normal. My audiologist told me that my hearing was within normal limits. But the ENT specialist reviewed it and told me that there is a fraction of hearing loss. According to the report, I have hearing loss in my left ear. But during an examination of it, it looked normal. According to the image, hearing loss was present in my right ear. I am still confused as the audiologist assured me that there was no hearing loss, pressure, or fluid in my ears. Please help.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

There are two classifications in the degree of hearing loss. So according to the first one, it is normal, and according to the second one, there is minimal hearing loss. Please mention the problems faced related to ears. On considering the threshold levels at each frequency, it is normal. Do not worry. I suggest you repeat the test after six months.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply. I had pressure in my ear, and it started due to the build-up of fluid in the ears. After that, it got cleared. But still, I have some feelings of pressure that radiate under my right ear and under my jaw. It seems like a tickling sensation that radiates into my right ear. But I do not have any clogged feeling when I have fluid in the ear. I consulted my ENT specialist again, and he told me that it could be due to a muscle issue of TMJ. But I do not have any pain. I also did an MRI of the head, along with a CT of the neck. Both the results were normal. I used a massager on my jaw joint. After that, my symptoms got worse with stress and anxiety. It caused sensitive hearing or hyperacusis in my left ear. For a while, hyperacusis went away, but it came back when I became more stressed. My doctor thinks that increased stress and anxiety cause muscle tension in my neck, jaw, and ear muscles. When I am eating, I can hear some fluttering-like sensation in my ears, and it dissipates when I get relaxed. My concern is about the pressure or tightness feeling on the right side of the face and under my jaw, and there is occasional hyperacusis in my left ear.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have gone through the audiogram (attachment removed to protect patient identity), and it is quite normal. Start following all the steps suggested below to have improvement:

  • Do steam inhalation.
  • You can take lukewarm water sip by sip.
  • Do not chew your food hard. Take a small portion of food during every bite.
  • Start practicing Bhramari pranayam for relaxation. Do not do it on your own, as you can end up with severe problems.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thanks again. Is it the right ear or left ear that tested slightly below 20 dB? I know that it is still normal with these values. But I am still confused as the doctor told me it as left ear, but actually, it was present in my right ear.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

On the right ear, the threshold is 25 dBHL (decibel hearing loss) at one frequency. On considering ears on pure-tone average, the left ear has 13 dBHL, and the right ear has 8 dBHL. So the right ear is better. Do not open your mouth too much, and take semisolid food often.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you. I have a last follow-up question. Do the tiny hairs in the ear canal, like the hair in our ears that are where wax builds up, grow back if damaged when cleaning the ears? I know the hairs in the inner ear, where the cochlea is, are past the eardrum and do not grow back if damaged, and those help with hearing, but I am referring to hairs in the outer or middle ear canal that are tiny. I was just nervous they would not grow back if damaged, and not sure if damage to them impacts hearing. I know they can also get longer with age. Please help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The hair in the ear canal has no role in the hearing mechanism. Those hairs prevent the foreign body from entering deep inside as a barrier. If these hairs are damaged, they can regrow. In the middle ear, there is no hair present. But the hair cells present in the inner ear, once damaged by noise, the aging process, or any means, cannot be regenerated. Nowadays, research is going on to regenerate inner ear hair cells by stem cell therapy, but it is still under research. Hope for the best. As of now, this is the status.

Revert in case of queries.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Satyabrata Panigrahi
Dr. Satyabrata Panigrahi

Audiology

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