Hello everyone, well, I think its got to the stage where I'm pretty
sure I have a developing and apparently untreatable version of
tinnatus in my left ear and having done the usual consultation and ENT
visits/analysis I am definately open to wider suggestion if anyone can
help.

My hearing issue has developed over the last 5-6 years: it was first
apparent from a tendency for my left ear to register sounds at a
different pitch to the right, and would (specifically after colds and
flu) suffer from a peculiar echo'ing sound when listening to speech or
music. Initially this could be cleared up by de-waxing (syringing) the
blockades in the ear, but though the echos and ambient ringing were
removed, it was still apparent that the pitch differential remained.

Over time the hearing has gotten worse, with sound recognition
steadily declining in the left ear, and over the past couple of years
there has been a steady background buzzing sound. This started very
faint but is now pretty noticable in day to day life. Generally when I
am active, or listening to loud conversation, music, films etc it can
be ignored, but it is quite annoying indeed when there is silence or
quiet.

Now, I personally feel it is more likely to be a physical issue than a
mental one because I can hear the pitch of the tinnatus changing when
I swallow, or yawn, or sometimes when I run, it almost seems like the
small bones in the ear are clicking together and changing the ambient
pressure or something to alter the sound/pitch of the noise.

Recently the noise has worsened again (after a particularly nasty bout
of flu) and I can actually manipulate the pitch of the tinnatus by
gently placing a fingertip over the entrance to the ear; the buzzing
changes in nature according to the air pressure in the ear.

Its very strange and pretty irritating though!

Some additional background,

I did have an ear op when I was a child (earache and such), I also
suffer quite a lot from colds and flu that really cause my nose and
ears to bung up badly.

I'm pretty sure I have never listened to overly loud music or had the
hearing damaged from excessive sound. (My right ear is perfect bbw).

On a sound test my left ear registers a lack of sensitivity to high
and low pitched sounds.

On a physical examination I am told the left eardrum is a dull dark
colour that represents some form of infection or illness, but this is
not a situation that I have ever been able to clear up with
antibiotics or topical treatment with ear drops and such.

I have been told by therapists in the past that my ear and nose tubes
are prone to becoming blocked because I am blue-eyed and pale
complexioned and have a partial reaction to dairy products. Not sure
about the science to this.

Otherwise, I am 35, healthy, don't smoke, light drinker, excercise
regularly, and aside from really suffering from colds and such don't
have any other health concerns.

So, anyhow, thats me, I guess primarily it would be interesting to
hear from someone else who suffered from similar symtoms, and I am
curious as to whether I am having this problem made worse by some form
of allegy or health issue that is making my ears and nose more prone
to blockade during colds and flu.

Thanks in advance.

AndyC.