Somewhat frequent momentary deafness

meatflower

This has been happening for at least a year, maybe more.

At least once a week, sometimes more, I will lose hearing in my left ear for about 5-10 seconds. I always notice it because suddenly I will hear ringing (like the kind when there are no other sounds) on my left and then realize that it's all I can hear from that ear. It's not sudden loss either, like slowly ramping up ringing and then it ramps back down.

It quickly subsides and then I continue on with whatever I'm doing. It's happened at all times of the day, while listening to things or even in silence.

It doesn't really impair me and it happens infrequently enough to where I have never seen a doctor about it. I know none of you are doctor's but have you ever heard of anything like this or know what it could be?

Thanks.

Feral

What you're describing (sudden hearing loss with tinnitus) could be caused by a wide variety of problems. It could be caused by medication, even over the counter medication or recreational drug use. It could be caused by high blood pressure, or inflammed muscles in the jaw, or an undiagnosed neurological disorder. In very rare cases, even food allergies. It's really a grab bag of possible causes. You're really going to have to see a doctor for this one, and I recommend not putting it off, because some of the possible causes for this are serious.

meatflower

I've done some searching online before about and had thought for a while that what I had was what you have described.

But everything I read about sudden hearing loss implies it's more long term, while mine is temporary (very temporary).

blincoln

That's been happening to me since I was a kid. I remember reading a story about it years ago that it was supposedly tied to some part of the brain sensing danger, and that it was actually possible to record the ringing sound with a microphone. No idea if it's true, though.

Still, if it's new for you then seeing a doctor is probably a good idea.

Ohio

This exact same thing has happened to me all my life as well. As you say, it's not that often and doesn't last that long. It's weird when it happens but it quickly passes and then I forget about.

Orikaeshigitae

It happens to me all the time. I figure it's due to my tinntintintintintus from having ear infections and holes punched in my eardrum when i was a kid.

SniperGuy

Same here.

Then again, I've had total ear reconstruction twice, a clestiotoma in my ear, and currently there's a tumor growing in right under it.

So...go see a doctor.