Something very strange has been happening to me since late February, and I'm rather worried. I wondered if anyone here has any suggestions (I'm seeing an ENT on Monday). Timeline is this:
Feb 21st: A nightclub decides to move into my head with an array of thumping-banging-booming sounds IN MY HEAD (not ears). In addition to my usual high-pitched tinnitus, I've also started hearing:
- A low drone in the middle of my head (like being plugged into a fridge).
- Extracts from hymns (I am not joking)
- Musical type tones
- Voices (muffled, though I've had this before just not as frequent as now).
- Electrical type buzzing tone
- A whooshing/roar whenever I yawn/turn my head/move from side to side.
In addition, my cochlear implant is making my voice sound like a megaphone. All other sounds seem fine.
Some of the sounds can't be masked as they become louder with external sounds as if they are trying to compete to be heard.
Around the 5th of March: An infection shows up in my left ear (eardrum looked about to burst/had a temp). GP gave amoxicillin. Eardrum changes from that to looking "dull."
About a week late: Right eardrum starts looking red, second round of antibiotics. That too changes to looking "dull."
Mid-March: Get seen by an ENT at the local hospital. When he heard the words "cochlear implant" he switched off and immediately attributed EVERYTHING to that which is nonsense as I'm hearing noises when it's not on. I knew he was useless when the first question out of his mouth was:
"Why do you have a cochlear implant?"
I dunno, because I'm deaf! He briefly checked for infection then demanded I do a hearing test on my non-implanted ear. That's actually inappropriate: I'm at the bottom of the audiogram and have been for 30 years. The tympanogram revealed that my eardrums were moving, but not as much as they should: he said it was still normal (but I can FEEL fluid?).
I'm seeing my implant surgeon/ENT on Monday as everyone just goes "cochlear implant, can't deal with it, go see the centre" which is VERY frustrating: it is something affecting my implant and NOT vice-versa. The audiologist at my implant centre confirmed that everything was working as it should and I'm waiting to see the Dr.
I also have a sensation on/off as of something knocking against my eardrum: it is not in time with my heartbeat. I have felt fluid (I think)
So my questions are:
- Can an infection (it must be viral) really cause this array of constant sounds? It's VERY ABNORMAL tinnitus for me.
- Can an infection last for months?
- Can an infection make sounds sound weird? It's my voice that's the main issue.
I have been given Nortriptyline as that can reduce tinnitus for some people and help them sleep. I've also had valium and zopiclone. Been given Betahistines too on the off-chance they do something. I'm now trying the Otovent balloon as I can definitely feel something moving in both ears, steam inhalation etc.
I am also terrified that this may be caused by something more serious. :/