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What Causes Pressure And Ringing In Ear?

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Posted on Wed, 16 Jul 2014
Question: Yes, thanks. I am seeking help for my mother. Here are her symptoms:
1. Very fullness in ears and head; with ringing in left ear. Has now moved to right ear. Age 79
2. Left ear has been diagnosed as loss of hearing around 70-80%. Both doctors diagnosed as 'viral infection of the inner ear"
3. Small nodule on left side below jaw line some swollen
4. Have had these symptoms since last December 2013.
We have been to various doctors, with the last doctor being a cancer doctor who examined and did an ultra sound of her lymph node. Came back no problem. Also had a breast exam. All excellent rated at #1.
In December 2013, mother lost 25 lbs. due to this. My question. What can we do to minimize the roaring/ringing in her ears? Thanks,XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhishek Sharma (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Read the description

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking to HCM,
I have gone through your query,

You must have had Hearing test done for your mother.
The treatment you mentioned seemed to be on the line of meniere's disease .Menieres disease is not very common at age of 79 yrs. And the symptoms it shows is vertigo (dizziness), hearing loss and tinnitus .
Yes aural fullness is present in it and sometimes considered to very important but it is not that it is present only in menieres disease.

For a person with menieres for 7 months must have vertigo on and off hearing loss on and off and some aura features like nausea etc.
I feel that Menieres disease is less probable.

I would suggest you to get done an Audiogram and Tympanogram.

These are hearing tests which would suggest that whether the hearing loss is because of the fluid behind the ear or because of nerve deafness.
At age of 79 yrs nerve deafness is common like we have decreased acuity of vision in old age similarly we have decreased sense of hearing too.

I think that she has had some upper respiratory tract infection and so she developed fluid behind the ears .And so she has heaviness and blocked sensation in ears and in addition to the previous nerve deafness she has more hearing loss.

She might require decongestant nasal drops and mucolytic tablets , steam inhalations , and anti reflux treatment. Ringing will decrease with it.
Then once the acute problem resolves then she should go for hearing aid.Hearing aid themselves will help decrease the ringing sensation.

If you have an share it with me.
I hope to have answered, in doubt do reply.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Sharma (11 hours later)
Thank you for these notes. Found them helpful. We will see about the Tympanogram. We have had an audiogram I do believe.

Strangely, my mother has not had vertigo during this timeframe. If there is fluid behind the ear, then will antibiotics help in this situation? When she speaks/talks, she sounds as though she has a slight cold. This is so strange. She has been in perfect health up until December 2013 and this was very sudden.

Thank you, XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Abhishek Sharma (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
no need for antibiotic for fluid in inner ear

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Antibiotics have no role if there is excess of fluid in inner ear. This disease is Meniere's disease .

But yes there is role if there is fluid behind the ear drum ie middle part of ear.
And this fluid collection could be because of the upper respiratory tract infection ie nose infection.This is the disease i was talking about.
For this fluid collection behind the ear drum which could be tested easily by tympanogram you need to take---decongestant nasal drops and mucolytic tablets , steam inhalations , and anti reflux treatment. as i already mentioned earlier.

It takes 2-3 weeks for the fluid to resolve which is behind the ear drum.

Hope to have answered , if in doubt do reply.
Do get in touch if you get tympanogram done .
Regards
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Abhishek Sharma

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1110 Questions

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What Causes Pressure And Ringing In Ear?

Brief Answer: Read the description Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Thanks for asking to HCM, I have gone through your query, You must have had Hearing test done for your mother. The treatment you mentioned seemed to be on the line of meniere's disease .Menieres disease is not very common at age of 79 yrs. And the symptoms it shows is vertigo (dizziness), hearing loss and tinnitus . Yes aural fullness is present in it and sometimes considered to very important but it is not that it is present only in menieres disease. For a person with menieres for 7 months must have vertigo on and off hearing loss on and off and some aura features like nausea etc. I feel that Menieres disease is less probable. I would suggest you to get done an Audiogram and Tympanogram. These are hearing tests which would suggest that whether the hearing loss is because of the fluid behind the ear or because of nerve deafness. At age of 79 yrs nerve deafness is common like we have decreased acuity of vision in old age similarly we have decreased sense of hearing too. I think that she has had some upper respiratory tract infection and so she developed fluid behind the ears .And so she has heaviness and blocked sensation in ears and in addition to the previous nerve deafness she has more hearing loss. She might require decongestant nasal drops and mucolytic tablets , steam inhalations , and anti reflux treatment. Ringing will decrease with it. Then once the acute problem resolves then she should go for hearing aid.Hearing aid themselves will help decrease the ringing sensation. If you have an share it with me. I hope to have answered, in doubt do reply.