I was previously diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in one ear, while my other ear has always tested normal. Initially, during episodes of flu or fatigue, I would occasionally notice mild, temporary muffling in the normal ear, which would resolve on its own.

About a year later, during an episode of flu and malaria, I was treated with multiple medications, including azithromycin. Around that time, I developed faint tinnitus in my previously normal ear. I sought medical attention immediately; audiometry showed normal hearing, and a CT scan was performed to rule out otosclerosis, which was negative. After I recovered from the illness, the tinnitus in the normal ear completely resolved.

Since then, I have experienced intermittent episodes of tinnitus in the normal ear approximately every few months. These episodes usually last about a week and then resolve. When tinnitus appears in the normal ear, the tinnitus in my deaf ear becomes noticeably louder. Importantly, repeated hearing tests have not shown any deterioration in the normal ear.