I have tinnitus in one ear more than the other. Could this mean I am slowly losing my hearing?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am scared that I am slowly losing my hearing. I have had tinnitus in my ears for about seven months now, and it sounds kind of like T.V. static, and it is not loud, so it is okay, but today my phone emitted a very high pitch sound, and I closed one ear and then opened it and closed the other ear and noticed that I could hear the high pitch sound much better in one ear than the other. Could this mean I am slowly losing my hearing? About months ago, I got a hearing test done, but I do not have the results, but they said my hearing was amazing. Even now, I have no trouble hearing at all. So what is happening with the high pitch noise? Why can I hear it better in one ear than the other?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

There are different causes of tinnitus (ringing in ears) like infections, loss of cells, inflammation, advancing age, or few other diseases of the inner ear. At your age, hearing loss is less common unless having a disease. There are two possibilities:

The ear which hears high pitch is affected (hyperacusis - hearing loud or tinnitis).
The ear which hears low is affected (decreases hearing).

So, two differentiate which ear is abnormal, and few tests are done by Audiometerist or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist to make a final diagnosis. I would suggest you get examined by an ENT specialist, and he will perform the necessary test and manage appropriately.