Just wanted to offer my story, which may help at least a subset of you. I’ve had mild to moderate conductive hearing since toddlerhood, with countless childhood ear infections, tubes, and multiple eardrum repair surgeries. The infections have continued, albeit less frequently, into adulthood, and I’ve had a couple more repair surgeries over the last decade as well.

I developed ringing, buzzing tinnitus 7-8 years ago and really, really struggled with it the first year or two. Like everyone, I found the thought of never having an entirely quiet waking moment terrifying. I mostly adjusted to it after figuring out triggers (exhaustion, stress, allergies, too much caffeine for me). About two weeks after my second vaccine booster, it suddenly worsened considerably. It was so loud for the first few days that I couldn’t sleep at night, which led to stress and exhaustion, so multiple triggers at once. I spent all my free time listening to loud podcasts or music so I didn’t focus on it. I made an ENT appointment to see if they could offer any relief, but by the time it rolled around a month later, it had gradually lessened and returned to its normal annoying level. I kept the appointment anyway since I decided it was finally time to accept the fact that my DH, kids and friends had not just developed ever-worsening problems with mumbling over the prior years and investigate hearing aids.

Turns out I now have both the conductive and age-related types of hearing loss, ranging from moderate to severe. I now have hearing aids, which are fantastic in some ways—I can hear every single word that anyone says anywhere in the house—and really off-putting in others. These people who live with me stomp and chew, it’s beyond freaky to hear your own footsteps, and things like driving, wind, birdsong, and running water can sound like an aural assault. It’s a massive relief at the end of each day to take them out and be left in my lovely, quiet cocoon. The tinnitus now sounds soft and peaceful compared to all that noise outside my head. This may not be how everyone reacts, especially those with sudden or less severe hearing loss, but maybe another potential tool to consider if nothing else is helping.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you recently get covid vaccine. I got a lot of whooshing and fullness after 2nd shot. Lasted few months.

Me too. Covid vax triggered tinnitus, and it has declined a bit, but not stopped, even after six months. There's a FB group about this. Thousands in the group complaining of tinnitus after covid shot.

It is a very common reported side effect. Hope yours get better.

I got this as a side effect of Wellbutrin. It may be worth looking at what medication you’re taking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Steroids

Yes, call teledoc, get prednisone asap till you can see ENT.

2nd shot gave me tinnitus and some hearing loss for 3-4 months

+1 same for DH 10 days of steroids helped, but he still has some hearing loss though.

Op, I’m sorry I have no advice. I can only sympathize with you. I’ve been experiencing similar issues with my right side, including pulsating tinnitus for decades that have recently gotten worse. I have a multitude of other undiagnosed symptoms. Since I am able to do so, I quit my job a few years ago to go on a quest to find the root cause by visiting even more doctors. I’ve had MRI/MRV/MRA, and still no diagnosis. Right now the pulsatile tinnitus is the least of my worries, but I know it is related to all my other symptoms. I am very frustrated to say the least.

Have you visited support group websites such has wooshers.com?

I had this years ago, it eventually went away. I do occasionally get vertigo, and I believe it’s tied to TMJ. Have you been to the dentist? Try acupuncture and chiro.

Anonymous wrote:Did you recently get covid vaccine. I got a lot of whooshing and fullness after 2nd shot. Lasted few months.

Yikes

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I feel like I might be in a nightmare. Nothing has worked- oral steroids didn’t work, injections not working but they do say it might take a few weeks, neurologist and ENT saying “you’ll have to adapt.” I can’t live with this sound in my head 24/7. I can’t ever not know silence AND be deaf on one side. How do people deal with this???

Physical therapy can help.

My DD had dizziness that came on suddenly, and the ENT said it was caused by a viral infection. Gave her steroids, and it went away, but he warned that dizziness could return occasionally for a few months.

Please get another opinion, OP. There are lots of ENTs out there, some not so great.

I go to a very good one, and he suggested acupuncture and physical therapy from someone who specializes in head and jaw therapy.

Anonymous wrote:Did you recently get covid vaccine. I got a lot of whooshing and fullness after 2nd shot. Lasted few months.

Me too. Covid vax triggered tinnitus, and it has declined a bit, but not stopped, even after six months. There's a FB group about this. Thousands in the group complaining of tinnitus after covid shot.

OP, I had a viral inner ear infection over 20 years ago that caused unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The hearing loss actually improved after a couple of years and is now only mild. The tinnitus remains. You actually get used to it after a while, but some days are louder if I am stressed or short on sleep. Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:Reading this thread as I have noticed hearing loss in my left ear. No vertigo thankfully but I should get in quickly. Anyone recommend a good ENT in Reston?

Did you recently have vaccine or Covid?

Reading this thread as I have noticed hearing loss in my left ear. No vertigo thankfully but I should get in quickly. Anyone recommend a good ENT in Reston?

Get a second opinion - go to a teaching hospital with all your info and get help.

Also, for the vertigo, cut down on the coffee, increase your water intake, and do Epley maneuvers multiple times/day.

Could it be severe allergies? I had similar symptoms years ago. It’s called disequilibrium. (Granted I did not have hearing loss) Sorry you are going through this - allergy shots helped immensely.