My ear is muffled after listening to a loud noise. How to cure it?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am 18 years old and have been experiencing tinnitus in my left ear for the past month. I had a similar episode a few months ago that resolved on its own, but this time it has persisted. A few months ago, I developed tinnitus in my left ear after listening to music at about 80 percent volume.

It was accompanied by a sharp, stabbing pain in the ear. Within a few days, my hearing became muffled, but both the muffled sensation and the ringing gradually improved. ENT(ear, nose, and throat) evaluation at that time showed normal hearing with no wax or signs of infection.

Since then, I have avoided high-volume audio and always stay below the volume warning level.

However, about three months later, I noticed muffled hearing again in the same ear, which I assumed would resolve like before. I stopped using earbuds entirely, but now, after a month, the symptoms remain unchanged.

I occasionally experience inner ear pain in my left ear, ranging from sharp, stabbing pain lasting less than a second (rated six to seven out of 10) to more frequent dull throbbing episodes lasting five to 10 seconds. The tinnitus is persistent and low-pitched, resembling a tea kettle sound but much softer in tone.

The first episode occurred a few months back, a few days after listening to music at high volume, which caused sharp ear pain followed by tinnitus. ENT evaluation, hearing tests, and ear examination were all normal. Interestingly, the tinnitus resolved after I was treated with antibiotics for a UTI (urinary tract infection), though the connection is unclear.

Currently, I am taking Amoxicillin for suspected sinusitis due to ongoing congestion and ear discomfort, but symptoms remain unchanged. Investigations, including an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain and inner ear, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) assessment, and audiometry, were all normal.

My Concerns:

Could this still be related to headphone-induced hearing damage, even if it is only affects one ear?
Why would the tinnitus and pain return months later with no new trauma or high-volume exposure?
Is it possible this is more than a sinus issue?

I apologize for the lengthy message, but I am genuinely concerned and would appreciate your thoughts and guidance on what this could be and what further steps I should take.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Avoid using earphones for making calls or listening to music. Instead, use speaker mode and always keep the volume at a moderate level. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to subtle damage that may not be picked up on routine hearing tests.

Pure tone audiometry may miss early or minimal hearing loss, especially if it is at the micro-anatomical level of the cochlea. For more accurate detection, I recommend a DPOAE (distortion product otoacoustic emissions) test, which can identify early cochlear damage that standard tests might miss.

To help manage your tinnitus and promote ear health, consider the following steps:

Use a tinnitus relief app that plays a variety of calming frequency sounds. Use it in a quiet environment for best results.
Practice daily breathing exercises to help reduce stress, which can worsen tinnitus.
Take a daily multivitamin to support nerve and inner ear function.
Include lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes and carrots in your diet, as they may help protect hearing.
Perform regular steam inhalation and sip lukewarm water to relieve sinus congestion, which may be contributing to ear discomfort.

Do not worry. I am here to help you hear better.

You can reach me at icliniq.com.

Thank you