Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 7/31/2008

Question
A couple of years ago I began feeling vibrations in my left ear when hearing certain louder sounds.  It seems that the sounds of peoples voices causes this vibration sensation more than other sounds.  I also occasionally here a draining sound in my hear and one day recently my ear seemed spongy when I pressed on the back of my ear next to my head.  There is also a slight feeling of pressure in my ear.  This vibration sensation has always been a rare event until recently when it has started happening everyday.  The vibrations are as if maybe sounds are resonating off some fluid in my ear and causing a vibration sensation in my ear.  I wouldn't say it is painful, but it is distracting and uncomfortable.  I recently had an hearing test and my hearing is normal.  Can you please offer some suggestions on what this may be?

Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Gene

Answer
Hi Gene,
Any type of "distortion" in hearing warrants a full investigation.  From your description, it sounds as if you have a middle ear inflammation and/or possible Eustachian Tube dysfunction.  The sponginess may be an accumulation of fluid.  Hearing tests sometimes are normal in this case, the test of choice being tympanometry instead. There is also the chance that the distortion could be caused by something in the inner ear as well.  Who did the exam?  Was it an ear specialist?  Did an audiologist administer the hearing test? If not, these are the professionals you need to consult.  If you did, then I would suggest either returning to your doctor and being re-examined or to seek another ENT. Your symptoms may even warrant an MRI to see if there is any damage to the middle ear cavity.  
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology