Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 4/28/2008

Question
I am hoping someone can help me understand what is going on with my left ear.  For the past 5 days - my left ear has had a constant "wind" sound.  I don't know how else to explain it.  This morning it seems to have gotten a little worse.  When my 3 year old talks, something about the pitch in her voice makes my ear "whistle" when she talks.  And everybody else just seems echoey.  It's just really annoying.  It is making it difficult to hear in general, especially when there is background noise on top of it.
Should I try a decongestant?  I really don't have any other symptoms of sinus issues currently though?  Do my ears need to be cleaned?  I honestly haven't always had the best of hearing anyway - background noise in particular has always been a problem.  Should I have my hearing tested?  Maybe this is just normal and it will go away.  I'm 30 and in good health.  Any thoughts?

Answer
Hi Karen,

First, let me address your last statement...no, this is NOT normal and may or may not go away. But you shouldn't wait.  Next, there are a few things that may cause this "wind" sound.  One is a problem with the "tube" that connects your middle ear to your nose and maintains proper middle ear pressure.  This is the Eustachian Tube. If you have allergies, or have just changed altitudes (like being in an airplane or diving) your Eustachian tube may not be properly working.  Another possibility, especially if there is really a noise in your ear, is that there may be some damage to the inner ear.  Noise in the ear is called "tinnitus" and can sound like anything from a bell to crickets to wind to steam.  And since you are telling me that your hearing has been a problem and that you have trouble with hearing in background noise, I get the impression that you probably do have some type of hearing loss.  My advice, therefore, is to have your hearing evaluated by an audiologist and followed by a checkup with an ear specialist.
Hope this helps.

Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology