Hollow echo distortion in ear? Scared

Yes the steroids helped only a few days because, as I understand it, steroids are anti inflammatory. So my distortion is likely caused by too much pressure in my cochlea. The steroids reduced inflammation, pressure came down, my hearing returned to normal. But steroids, like aspirin, wear off after a while and the pressure returned. So I’m trying to figure out what’s causing the excessive pressure. I got the steroid treatment about two months after this started. I do have the distortion now, and I can feel fullness or pressure in my ear. It doesn’t sound like a hollow echo to me, but it’s similar. The fact that steroids fixed my hearing also gives me naive hope that the hair cells aren’t dead, just stuck in a pressure chamber in my cochlea. Have you tried the transtympanic steroids yet? It’s a little risky because they make a hole in your eardrum which usually heals fine but in rare cases does not. If steroids into your inner ear help, it might give you insight to what’s happening.

Can sympathize to an extend; had tinnitus years ago but wasnt as bad, gradually got worse along with pain in both rears mainly right; sometimes echo when i speak or hear, but mainly speak, pressure lie ears/head in a vice, along with clear stringy mucous from right nose! Could bear it more if not so many other illnesses. Just a quick internet search i think i saw that echo or hearing out of sync can happen... all i can figure out about the pressure is the eustachian tubes and am sure i spelled that wrong. anyway ENT doing a PHONE INTERIVIEW next week, hope has a diagnosis if not cure but would of course like it all to go away! Slight hearing loss but make up for it by turning tv up etc., but can also hear a pin drop a mile away

...just to say the ent phoned me and was in such a bad mood I didn't even get chance to ask him about the echo along with pain, fullness, pressure, numbness: I think he is under a lot of pressure right now with covid and only 2 ent's for 54,000 plus people.... however, he was also yelling at me and comparing my issue to his patients with cancer, needing operations etc., so am on my own again. I think best thing to do is check symptoms on line and go to a clinic or teaching hospital that deals specifically with inner ear issues.... hope you got some help by now, I haven't.... but cant travel out of town. Thats the problem living in a smaller community. My ears are so bad today can hardly stand it, plus new illness: possible Vertigo.... no wonder I get depressed! Take care and, again, hope you have found some help, sometimes we have to dig deep to find answers and my shovel is wearing out! J.

..having a bit of a flareup this morning, tinnitus has been so bad, louder, longer, all night, entsaid cant do anything plus pain in both ears, said same thing... also jaw pain and back of neck... usually can control it but awake since 4 and lots of stress in our household this week, sick dog, husband recuperating from heart surgry lst nov and having issues and me, well if youread about me i have many issues including bowel, ibs fecal incontinencne pn etc etcc etc but this morning is very bad but what to do?? no point gong to emerge... have no family dr and spoke to clinic dr on line yesterday about going back on antidepressants but how to cope right now i am not sure... took tylenol but want to take advil but will make tinnitus worse, am a sad sack today and although most days are "bad" this is really horrid... got warm packs on back of neck around ears and on behind... now teeth chattering, think thats anxiety... wish me luck freinds... J.

@lissas sorry about your anxiety with regards to the echo sounds. I have tinnitus. It causes many different sounds in my head/brain. At one point I had what you describe where low voices have an echo. Other low tone sounds caused a rolling echo akin to a rumble that took a day before it receded. This echo thing disappeared after a number of months. Now, several years later I do get the echo occasionally but it mostly vanishes after a a day or two. I think it’s all part of tinnitus and the doctor can’t help because nobody can help tinnitus suffers with their myriad of brain noises. Hope you are feeling better now.

Willows

I am having almost identical symptoms as described by you here. Have you found anything out yet?

@txrock, welcome. I'm sorry to hear that you are also experiencing echo distortion similar to @lissas. When did this start and what started it? Have you consulted a specialist?

I have developed the same symptoms that you have described. Mine started after exposure to a loud noise and developed severe hearing loss in one ear. ENT suggested a type of tinnitus. Have you had any luck with a diagnosis?

Welcome @bobchance1, I found a couple of references that might be helpful until others with some experience can share it with you.

"How long does tinnitus last after loud noise?
Occasional exposure to loud noise can bring about temporary tinnitus. Ringing that's accompanied by a muffled sound may also indicate noise-induced hearing loss. These symptoms often go away within 16 to 48 hours. In extreme cases, it may take a week or two." --- Ears Ringing After Concert: 3 Ways to Stop It - Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/ears-ringing-after-concert

"A one-time exposure to extreme loud sound or listening to loud sounds for a long time can cause hearing loss. Loud noise can damage cells and membranes in the cochlea. Listening to loud noise for a long time can overwork hair cells in the ear, which can cause these cells to die." --- How Does Loud Noise Cause Hearing Loss? | NCEH | CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/how_does_loud_noise_cause_hearing_loss.html

Does your ENT think it might be permanent damage vs temporary?

Thank You John! The ENT didnt say if it was permanent but the noise accident occured in March of 2021 and hasen't gotten better so i assume it is permanent. The hearing loss is high frequency, i.e. at 4k hz and above to 70 db. Hearing aids help a little with the hearing loss but im thinking i need more powerfull hearing aids or a custom fitted ear mold to keep the sounds in the ear canal.