About Harriet Jacobster, Au.D. Expertise I can answer questions regarding non-medical treatment of hearing loss such as hearing aids and aural rehabilitation. I am also able to answer your questions regarding hearing testing, what types of tests are appropriate, what information a hearing test gives you and what it doesn't give you. As a classically trained musician, I can also answer issues dealing with hearing loss specific to musicians.
Experience I am a Board Certified Doctor of Audiology with over 25 years' of experience working with both children and adults. I have given lectures on Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids to several state chapters of national organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing. I also taught Speech Reading and Aural Rehabilitation both privately and for the Florida Deaf Service Center.
Organizations American Academy of Audiology
American Speech Language Hearing Association
Education/Credentials Au.D. Doctor of Audiology, Nova Southeastern University 2000
Question QUESTION: Hi,
Two nights ago, I was taking trash to the bins that contain our apartment building's garbage cans. The bins are made of quite heavy, sturdy metal and have lids on hinges. After I put the trash in the bin, the lid slipped and slammed closed. It was a very loud noise - surprisingly loud - and occurred close to my right ear. Ever since I woke up yesterday next morning, I have heard what sounds like a high pitched ringing in my right ear. It sounds like a TV that is on but is on mute. I also feel like my right ear needs to be popped, and there could be some fluid in it. This could be due to the fact that I'm recovering from a cold.
My question is, is the noise I described actually traumatic enough to cause hearing loss or tinnitus? Could the ringing be from the fluid in my right ear and not from the noise trauma? I do recognize that the fact that I am focusing on this so much is making the sound more prominent! I do sort of forget about it when I'm distracted by something else that requires my full attention.
Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!
ANSWER: Hi Natalie,
Yes, the noise you described actually could be loud enough to cause trauma and ringing, especially if coupled with the congestion. There may be a temporary hearing loss which could also give you the feeling that the ear needs to be popped. My suggestion is that you try to keep the noise level down for another day or two and try a nasal saline solution or decongestant to help with the stuffiness. If the ringing or stuffiness doesn't subside in a couple of days, you should see an ENT and an audiologist and have your hearing evaluated.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Harriet,
Thank you so much for your response (and over the holidays, not less)! I will follow up with an ENT if my symptoms haven't improved by tomorrow. I have been using Afrin for the past day and plan to continue for the next two days (no longer). Just to clarify, in your professional opinion, is the noise I encountered strong enough to cause permanent ringing (i.e., tinnitus)? Or would you expect this to be more temporary? I'm sort of freaking out because the sound is interfering with my sleep.
Thank you so much again for your help.
Natalie
Answer Hi Natalie,
Without knowing more of your history, I really cannot say. It all depends on exactly how loud the sound was, how close to the ear, how much damage there was in your ear before the noise, your general health, etc. Temporary noise damage usually clears up within 72 hours, as long as everything else is normal. If there is already damage to the ear from aging, disease, other noise, etc., a sudden loud noise may be enough to make any previous unnoticeable ringing much more noticeable. Here is a great site, the American Tinnitus Association, that will give you a lot of information, not only on the causes of tinnitus/ringing in the ear, but several ways to help you cope: www.ata.org.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology
