Hearing test…

[DollyDaydream55]

I’m struggling to hear properly. TV turned up loud. Was at a family event in the week and I couldn’t join in. Everyone talking, I could hear noise but, not actual words. Had a hearing test at local opticians. He suggested I need a hearing aid for my right ear. They’re so expensive so, I said I’d need to think. My GP said she can refer me but the waiting list is huge. I am 60.

The thing is this… I think it’s more a mechanical thing because when I pop my ears (holding my nose and blowing) the ear drums “pop” and
I can hear again.

Am I BU to think the audiologist was just wanting me to make a purchase? He seemed not interested in my “popping” ears.

Hopefully, someone who knows about ears might see this?

Did you speak to the GP about the popping ears when you spoke about the referral?

I get popping ears that clears my hearing sometimes when I have wax build-up but I would assume the audiologist checked for that. You could also get a second hearing test done at a different place if you want another opinion.

I have no wax. They’re clear. Yes, I told the gp.

I had something similar, in that my hearing came and went in one ear in a very similar way, with things like blowing my nose sometimes affecting my hearing. I thought it was earwax, as I'm prone to it, but when I went to have my ears vacuumed at Specsavers they were quite clear. The audiologist suggested that I might want to consider having a specialist hearing test, one that Specsavers did not do, to investigate whether I had Eustachian tube dysfunction.

I haven't had this hearing test done, because the problem has almost disappeared. When my hearing did not return afterI had a cold, and I kept hearing earache and fantom noises in that ear, the GP prescribed a steroid nasal spray. My ear cleared up within a couple of weeks, and has never been as bad since.

I'm profoundly deaf from birth and wear two hearing aids (NHS). When I was at my opticians they tried to lure me to their hearing aid department but I refused as I knew the spec of hearing aids I'd need would cost me thousands.

Definitely get a second opinion and get on the NHS waiting list as they will investigate the issue and only prescribe a hearing aid if really required.

There are some items you can buy yourself to help hear the TV & people etc - on Amazon they have a personal sound amplifier for £35

I also recommend steam inhalation in case it's some fluid in the ear as that can cause the popping sensation. I'm pretty sure you can buy a device to help pop your ears as well but not actually used one myself so can't recommend a specific one.

Also check out the RNID website for help and support. Hearing loss can be quite isolating and scary.
Really hope you can get the support you need x

Thank you for those tips. I’m thinking it’s a pressure/eustachian tube thing. When popped my hearing’s good enough. Problem is, moments later, it’s gone again.

should mention, I’ve used earplugs at night for years. Since working night shifts and then a DH who snored!!! Might I have damaged my ears that way?

I’m similar, OP, although not quite as bad us you, I usually have subtitles on most tv shows, as I just can’t hear the voices, this is not only to do with my hearing but the rubbish sound on tv sets these days. I do have a sound bar that should increase the voice, but the one I’ve got isn’t great.

I also getting the popping and clearing feeling in my right ear when I blow my nose, like you mine is also temporary.

I haven’t gone for a hearing test, first thing I need to do is get my ears checked for wax build up, keep meaning to do it but life gets in the way.

Hi, I’m an audiologist so I hope I can help a little with this. When you have your hearing tested the results show us whether it’s due to a mechanical problem, or a nerve/inner ear problem. You should have had 2 tests, one with headphone and one with a block on a band that sits behind your ear. If the audiologist seemed disinterested in your ‘popping’ sensation it’s likely that you have ‘sensorineural’ hearing loss rather than ‘conductive’ (mechanical fault) hearing loss. You can always get a second opinion from another private audiologist or an NHS audiologist if you are unsure.

I'm just back from seeing ENT about my constantly blocked ear. It's been about 10 weeks. They've said it's likely Eustachian tube disfunction. I have to use an otovent balloon several times a day, steam once a day and get some sterimar nasal spray. Mine came on post COVID where I was badly affected in my sinuses. You can buy this stuff online so no harm having a go at it while you wait for referral.