Support NeoGAF

[Celcius]

Why that Ringing in Your Ears Isn't a Huge Deal

Esquire's Answer Fella believes that there are no stupid questions, just stupid people who don't ask questions, fearing they'll look stupid. So ask Answer Fella anything.

www.esquire.com

Have any of you ever had this happen?
Basically you'll be doing whatever and you'll suddenly hear a high pitch sound in one ear (it can be either ear but never both at the same time) and after a second or two it's gone?
Lately I've been noticing this every once in a while (not like every day or anything) and I went to my general doctor who took a look in my ears with some tool but said that everything looked good and it wasn't anything to worry about, but that it could possibly be caused by a muscle spasm in the ear.
I also called a teledoc (I can call a doctor any time 24/7 to have a phone consultation) and he didn't seem concerned about it.

I know forums aren't the best place for medical advice but just want to see what others think and if this happens to anyone else.
Would you go get a second opinion with an ENT specialist or otherwise just believe the first two doctors and not worry about it? Or do you think the article above may right and my diet (maybe even stress) could have something to do with it?

Otherwise my hearing and health are both excellent.

 

[Cravis]

 

[kretos]

happens to me all the time i thought the ghosts living with me were trolling me

 

[Cravis]

In all seriousness I get it too.

I just know one day that ringing is gonna be followed with a loud pop and my head is gonna look straight out of Scanners.

 

[Airola]

It's tinnitus, it happens to pretty much everyone.
It can become permanent though but that's rare.

I got another type of an ear problem a few months ago. Suddenly everything I listened to sounded off key. I thought the problem was with my computer so I then tested the earphones with my phone. The problem was still there. Then I thought maybe it's a fault in my earphones. I tried others and the problem didn't go away. I then found out that my right ear hears normally but my left ear hears the same in a bit lower tone than the other so it created this very weird sound to everything. Even my gf's voice sounded very odd. I was afraid there's something seriously wrong in my brain. And literally every song I tried to listen to became unlistenable.

It only lasted one day, but I still went to ear doctor. He cleaned my ears and I took a hearing test where they found nothing wrong. I've had all ok since, but it was pretty shocking to suddenly start to hear every song as if they were played and sung out of key. And as I like to make music too I was pretty terrified for a while because it was impossible to make any music because of that.

 

[Celcius]

It's tinnitus, it happens to pretty much everyone.
It can become permanent though but that's rare.

I got another type of an ear problem a few months ago. Suddenly everything I listened to sounded off key. I thought the problem was with my computer so I then tested the earphones with my phone. The problem was still there. Then I thought maybe it's a fault in my earphones. I tried others and the problem didn't go away. I then found out that my right ear hears normally but my left ear hears the same in a bit lower tone than the other so it created this very weird sound to everything. Even my gf's voice sounded very odd. I was afraid there's something seriously wrong in my brain. And literally every song I tried to listen to became unlistenable.

It only lasted one day, but I still went to ear doctor. He cleaned my ears and I took a hearing test where they found nothing wrong. I've had all ok since, but it was pretty shocking to suddenly start to hear every song as if they were played and sung out of key. And as I like to make music too I was pretty terrified for a while because it was impossible to make any music because of that.

What happened when you took the hearing test... I'm assuming they put you in some kind of sound proof room?

 

[AlteredForms]

Temporary tinnitus? Yeah happens to all of us and isn't a cause for concern.

 

[Fbh]

Yeah, I've had these at least since my teen years.

 

[Airola]

What happened when you took the hearing test... I'm assuming they put you in some kind of sound proof room?

The problem was gone way before that. It only lasted one day. I just went to the doctor just in case, to see what they can tell about it and if they can find something's wrong.

 

[ManaByte]

Paging Mark Cerny

 

[8bitpill]

I get it, it happens maybe once twice a month at most. High pitch sound that last for maybe half a minute tops.

As stated, tinnitus is most likely what is going on.

Very loud music and drinking heavy can contribute to this.

Also, clean them ears,

 

[Kenpachii]

I had this a few times when i was younger. would stay for half a day and then be gone.

At some point when i got 25 it became permanent tho, shit is already in my ears now for 10 years and frankly i can live with it atm, first year was horrid.

I think my damage on my ears even while they cant see any, is created by motorcycle i drove. Did some more research towards it and it seems like most motorbikers have it. Because of the insane wind sound in those helmets.

 

[Mistake]

I don’t have this issue that often, but somehow I learned to make ear ringing go away by focusing on it.

 

[Krappadizzle]

I've had tinnitus since I joined the military. Being around all that loud equipment jacked my hearing up. Not a big deal, get's annoying some times, though my issue isn't nearly as bad as some people I know. They say it's crazy loud ringing and all the time.

 

[bender]

Humans, ha!

 

[eddie4]

every time I rub one out, oh boy I tell you, it gets annoying.


seriously, it does happen randomly every once in a while.
probably your ear rebooting, so it has its own start-up music, like the Windows start-up melody.

 

[BigBooper]

Occasionally. No I wouldn't go to more doctors about it unless it becomes a major problem. Some doctors are more free wheeling with your health than others.

 

[Rat Rage]

Basically you'll be doing whatever and you'll suddenly hear a high pitch sound in one ear (it can be either ear but never both at the same time) and after a second or two it's gone?

Dude, that's one of the most normal things every human experiences once in a while.

 

[INC]

Just means you've lost that certain frequency forever, most are over 16000hz, so don't really matter

 

[Celcius]

Thanks everyone, I'm just going to continue on enjoying my life and not worry about it.

Just means you've lost that certain frequency forever, most are over 16000hz, so don't really matter

I don't believe this lol

 

[HoodWinked]

The issue is that they call everything tinnitus when they're kind of different things. Tinnitus is more permanent damage in the ear or the signal mechanism to the brain.

These sort of short rings are more like getting punched or slapped in the face where you get that momentary ringing. The reason I think it happens is some momentary disruption in the signal from ear to brain or circulatory where not enough blood oxygen is reaching the ear. Seems to happen when you're idle or out of breath.

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

Yeah, I've had these at least since my teen years.

Same. I’ve had bruxism for a long time too, and tension in the jaw and skull muscles probably contributes to this.

 

[Kimahri]

Just be glad it's just one ear at a time, and non permanent. Tinnitus is a bitch. If it gets worse, and you get permanent ringing, easy on the sugar, alchohol, eat healthy, get exercise, and make sure to get enough sleep.

Also, be careful around loud noise, but don't protect your ears too much. They need sound exposure.

 

[ÆMNE22A!C]

Humans, ha!

 

[FunkMiller]

I have permanent tinnitus.

It‘s the absolute worst.

Be kind to your ears, my fellow GAFers.

 

[Melon Husk]

Basically you'll be doing whatever and you'll suddenly hear a high pitch sound in one ear (it can be either ear but never both at the same time) and after a second or two it's gone?

Yes, always in one ear, not both! Like some kind of feedback loop. Really loud but starts decaying exponentially. Like the effect when someone stands near an explosion in a movie. Being tired or idle might have something to do with triggering it.

 

[teezzy]

i need my ears to listen to Deftones with

aint nobody messin with my ears

 

[Dark Star]

i need my ears to listen to Deftones with

aint nobody messin with my ears

Yup. Music is life.

I’ve been to so many rock shows and metal concerts and my ears ring even with hearing protection

I need to see Deftones tour with Korn or Tool or even Chevelle by 2022. Please!

 

[Celcius]

edit: nevermind