“Sensitivity to loud noises and certain frequencies?”
The first time I had this sensation was at a sports event 3 years ago; I was cheering and shouting very loud and at one point my left ear started ringing and crackling. From that point, whenever I am exposed to loud external noises, when I speak loudly or when I sing (belting songs or opera), I experience the same sensation. The sensation is very difficult to describe, but it's one-sided and once it starts it's very difficult for me to concentrate on what I was doing before. I have seen a doctor and done a hearing test, but they said everything seems fine. I have been trying to avoid loud noises, but it's very difficult. Maybe I should start wearing earplugs consistently?
Female | 19 years old
Complaint duration: 3 Years
Medications: none
Conditions: none
2 Answers
Get a hearing test.
It would absolutely NOT be recommended that you start wearing ear plugs, nor that you avoid louder sounds in general. You should wear ear plugs if you are going to be exposed to very loud sounds like lawn mowers, motor sports or shooting sports, to protect your hearing. Complete avoidance of normal louder sounds could actually make the situation worse. You have taken the right steps to have your hearing tested and the health of your ears checked. You could try some cognitive behavioral therapy to give you tools to help you deal with the sensation when it crops up.
Angela R. Sieh Ceretto, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA
Angela R. Sieh Ceretto, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA
