I am new to this forum.....and thought maybe another member has experienced this and can help me determine what is wrong since my ENT cannot.
I have extremely sensitivity to noise...particularly children's voices, women's voices, and situations where I am in a crowd. My ears actually feel as though they hurt. I also have high pitched tinnitus, along with loud cracking noises everytime I swallow or yawn.
This started over 3 months ago with an ear infection....it took a full 8 weeks to get my hearing back, and I now have these symptoms. My ENT says there is no fluid he can detect and all looks normal when he examines my ears.
Please help...it is interfering at my workplace.

Hi Cassie,

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to tell you whats wrong... but what you describe I also experience. I have tinnitus and my ears seem extremely sensitive to certain pitches, for example popping the film on a microwave meal. I get the constant popping/crackling/squeaking/squelching as well. Do you have any other symptoms? My diagnosis is Labyrnthitis as I also feel off balance & like I'm in a constant daydream, but if you don't then maybe it sounds like eustacian tube disfunction (guessing!)

By the sound of things, if you had a bad ear infection for 8 weeks it doesn't suprise me that your still experiencing problems at the 3 month mark. Unfortunately it seems to be the case with a lot of these kind of problems that it just takes time... maybe go see another ENT for a second opinion?

hi

i have tinnitus as well, it sounds to me like u have hyperacusis which is the sensitivity to sounds which normally would not have bothered u it does accompany tinnitus sometimes not all cases, i had it bad for months but it did go away ....sometimes if i get a bad head cold it comes back but does go again........for me walking along the street was torchure, crowds , birds chirping, the television all sorts aggravated, my guess is it will settle down in time......dont expose your ears to unnatural loud noise but continue to be in everyday environment.....get another opinion if u can....and also as will said check out for etd..........good luck.......brina

Will & Brina,
Thank you for your encouragement and help.
I was worried that I might have a slight degree of what others on this forum describe as "patulous estachian"...which sounds like a problem there is no help.
I am going to see another ENT Thursday.
Thanks again.