Temporary high frequency improvement with Valsalva - Hearing Disorders Message Board

proaudiohd · 11-08-2008, 05:55 AM

When I do a Valsalva and forcibly pressurize my inner ear, I notice that my high frequency hearing improves to a very noticable degree. I can immediately localize sounds better, hear conversations in crowded rooms and make out amazing detail in crashing waves or music. However, as soon as I swallow or the pressure equalizes on its own, the detail goes away just as fast. If I valsalva again, it comes back, only to go away the next time I swallow. The difference is night and day, consistent, and the same in both ears.

I have seen an ENT for this. Their hearing test showed no difference between normal and when I artificially hold the high pressure. It also showed normal levels indicating no hearing loss. However the test only went as high as 8 khz and my difference is above that.

The ENT told me that everyone experiences a change in frequency response as a result of over or under-pressurization of the inner ear. And due to my job as an audio engineer, I am just paying attention to something most people would ignore. However, I can tell that I'm hearing at a reduced level. In crowded places other people can hold conversations at distances that I can't, unless I do a valsalva, then I can. ... until I swallow again. I find myself constantly popping my ears when I am out in crowded places so that I can hear people better. The same if a good song comes on. I want to hear every last bit of detail so I pop my ears and hold them.. the sound is spectacular.. but as soon as I let go and the pressure goes back to normal, the detail dissapears immediately. It is pretty frustrating.

Anyone have this happen? If I had high-frequency noise related hearing damage, wouldnt this be permanent and unchanging with eardrum position? If it were conductive, wouldnt it be in lower frequencies and show up in tests? How can I get my hearing to stay at the improved state as when my eardrums are pushed out a little bit?

rudyb · 02-25-2009, 05:57 AM

I have exactly the same experience. Indeed no significant hearing loss is detected with an audiometry, but i really can't understand other people when the least noise is present. when I click my ears (valsalva maneuver) I suddenly do understand them - for a few seconds. Also, at work when everything is silent and I do an Valsalva - suddenly I hear the clicking of keyboards around me and I suddenly hear the ventilator of the air conditioning. when someone says somehting at such moment it seems as if he is calling out loudly. I experience a clear hearing improvement in response to a valsalva maneuver and would like to have this good hearing - which my ears apparently are capable to -all the time.