I think I am going deaf?

Question

I think I might have a hearing problem. Advice?

I'm 16, and I had my hearing checked about 2 years ago, because I needed things to be loud to be able to hear them properly. I could hear them when quiet, but couldn't understand them, even though everyone else could. Audiologist said my hearing was normal. Now I am having even more problems, especially if there is back ground noise, like in restaurants or classrooms. It's very frustrating, to not hear the phone ring, or to know someone is talking to you, but have no idea what they are saying, to have your whole family watching TV and giggling, and you have no idea why, cause you can't hear what they are saying. I do not listen MP3 or IPod players, but I do play the flute and piccolo, and am in a concert band and choir, and work in a music store (we sell instruments and printed music). Any advice on what I should do?

Also, in my left ear, it sounds like someone is quietly blowing in it, constantly, and pulses, like a heart rate monitor for unborn babies.

I had a LOT of ear infections as a child, until age 6. I get migraines now (doctor diagnosed)

Answer 1

You need to talk to your doctor again.  You need a full medical evaluation.

Answer 2

If it sounds like someone is constantly blowing in your ear, you do have a hearing problem.  There are little hair like structures in your ear that allow you to hear.  When sound waves hit them, they vibrate.  Some part of your ear is able to detect these vibrations and translate them into electronic impulses that get sent to your brain and are interpreted.  If these hair like structures are a bit limp, this confuses the part of your ear that senses the vibrations.  This confusion is generally experienced as a constant ringing.  I assume that the blowing sound you're hearing is a mild form of this, but I am no expert.  Once those hair like structures are completely worn out, you become deaf, but often still hear a constant ringing.

As far as migraines go, I know people who used to get them, but now use ginger to completely avoid them.  You can buy either crystallized ginger or these chewy little candies that are mostly made out of ginger and sugar.  And if you eat one right as you feel the migraine starting, it prevents it from turning into a full blown migraine.  You only need a small amount and it works like a charm.

Good luck (o:

Answer 3

Have your hearing tested again and mention all of this to a certified audiologist. You should also ask him to test your for an auditory processing disorder. This is when your ear works fine but the part of your brain responsible for interpreting sounds does not work properly.

Best of luck

Answer 4

I know how that is, I can't stand not being able to hear my mom when she is talking and there is background noise. I think I probably lost some of my hearing since I used to be on the high school drum-line. I do a lot of the same things you do, and I don't know. Perhaps we just let those background noises and the loudness bother us, or maybe we are just hard of hearing. I hate not knowing what is going on.

I would get your hearing checked, it was two years ago that you did. Like eyesight, hearing is able to change dramatically although not as frequent.