Any Drs or ear specialists on? Pic of eardrum

[Happydaisydoo]

Firstly, I have a face to face appointment on Tuesday :)

I have had some whooshing which I believe to be pulsatile tinnitus for two weeks (started day before I went away). If I open my jaw super wide I also get a short high pitch whoosh that lasts a second.

I suspected ear wax at first and got a camera and device and my ear drum looks like the attached and no idea if it shows any fluid or infection? No pain just a tickle sometimes along with this unilateral tinnitus.

Obviously I’m super scared it’s something with veins or brain but just wondered if anything obvious on my ear ahead of my GP visit Tuesday

Thank you so much for replying. It is deffo pulsatile tinnitus because it is in time to my heartbeat. Day to day in work and out and about I never ever hear it but as soon as I go to bed and it is quite it is there. Pushing on my neck does not make it go away like it does some people.

I am not a tooth grinder and np jaw pain just a funny quick woosh sound on that side if I really open my mouth wide.

it all started about 3 days after driving on motorway with window open with wind going down my ear which is what made me wonder if ear related but looks like it could be skull pressure, vein issue or a acoustic neuroma tumour so hopefully I am referred on Tuesday for an MRI. The odd thing is I do feel a tickle or a crawling sensation in that same ear sometimes.

Thank you so

1. I only hear it when going to bed laying on either side or my back but it is only on the left hand side.

2. no hearing test but no loss in hearing to my knowledge it feels the same as always.

3. not bothersome at all

does it look on my pics that I have pockets of fluid as where the whiter spot is it looked like two darker bubbles/spots so wondered if fluid was there?

You are so kind to be replying. Thank you for telling me about your book as I will tell my husband and Dad who have regular tinnitus after years of being in a band

Audiologist here.

Those pictures really aren't clear enough at all to say if it looks normal or not, sorry.

Does your ear feel blocked or like you need to pop your ears? Just with you saying that the sound changes when you open your jaw wide it's making me wonder if there's potentially a bit of middle ear effusion caused by Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (that would mean fluid behind your eardrum). This isn't an infection that needs antibiotics. I would usually suggest decongestants for a few days, as they won't do any harm (assuming you aren't on any other medication that might interact).

I would book an appointment with Boots or Specsavers so an audiologist can look in, take a proper medical history and do at the very least a screening audiogram. Then if necessary you will be given a report explaining to your GP why onward referral to ENT may be necessary.

@stressed247365 just wondering what your qualifications are? Are you an audiologist?

Thank you :)

Interesting. Personally I'd say that's a bold claim to say OPs eardrum "looks really good", those pictures aren't remotely good enough quality to say for sure.

You just sound like you're plugging your ebook, which is called AllEarsLondon but the cost is in dollars?

Thank you will get booked in at Boots :) would Specsaveds audio do the same?

it doesn’t feel blocked as I can hear but I’m just aware of that ear like it needs a good old shake or water or wax there but on that little camera no wax but since this started I’ve had the odd day here and there where I feel crawling or itch. No dizziness or pain etc.

Yeah I am going to on Tuesday :) they are not sore just annoying me now :)

I'd say you probably have a bit of fluid behind the ear drum, which can cause all you're describing. Wouldn't be remotely worried about something like an acoustic neuroma given what you've said. Look into the otovent balloon if it does turn out to be fluid, you blow up a balloon device using your nose, which helps to equalise middle ear pressure.

I get my heartbeat in my ear when I've been eating too much diary.

It seems to thicken the mucus in my passageways. Including my ears.

Worse when it's damp weather for some reason. It goes away after I stop eating dairy for a few days to a week. Or I can get acupuncture and it goes away immediately. But sometimes builds up again.

Thank you so much. You put in pulsatile tinnitus and it comes up with all sorts! But deep down it feels like it is my ear because of the funny feelings I have had and how sudden it came on. I appreciate all your honest advice.

Ear specialist and I agree with absolutely everything that @meganna said! The picture definitely isn't clear enough to see fluid in the middle ear or any other potential problems but I would hazard a guess that it's Eustachian tube dysfunction. Worth trying a nasal decongestant like Otrivine for 5 days whilst also doing what @meganna said

I had a load of whooshing and weird pulsing noises and water sensation with my ears which totally resolved after a few days using Beconase so I assume it was ETD.

1. its in dollars because americans online are my biggest revenue online
2. ive given her more advice for free which i would usually charge patients privately for, not just the standard go to ENT it may be a eustachian tube issue because she has some fluid? and get an audiogram even though shes telling you she feels like her hearing is ok??? i want to know what part my post was triggering or harmful to the post writer. its advice. which i have alot of experience in giving. like i said i dont JUST do audiology, which is why i am able to give more advice than just your average audiologist which @meganna seems to be.
3. in conclusion, still go in for the MRI and discuss all which you have read with your doctor for further clarification.

If you were an Audiologist you'd know that just because a patient says their hearing is ok, doesn't mean it is? The only way to establish that is by an audiogram so I stand by my advice that she should be tested along with otoscopy. You are also wrong to reassure based on those low quality and unclear pictures of OPs eardrum.

I stand by her going to see her doctor and him deciding if she needs all that you say she does. Heres the thing, i AM an audiologist, i have my qualifications and then some. In our clinics were were always taught the patients have options, and as healthcare professionals we are supposed to be listening to our patients also. If the patient comes to see me and asks describes all that she did, i will likely address her main concerns first. All i said about the hearing side of things is that if she feels like her hearing is ok then thats what she feels, now when and if she does get referred the ENT (if shes referred there) can decide if she needs a hearing test, thats up to him.

Not sure why your being hostile towards people you dont know on here acting like patients cant google and also learn the profession we are in. No ones paying you for this advice but they DO pay me. alot.

@stressed247265backup
As a former ANP I certainly would be reluctant to pay for your unreliable advice. I would especially mistrust any medical report if it is as poorly written as your post -in terms of content, grammar and punctuation.

good for you, retired nurse. you opinions does not move me in the least. enjoy your retirement.

mumsnet is overflowing with toxicity it seems. very very different to reddit. good luck op, i hope you get your issue sorted!