Ear pain and ringing after long exposure to loud high pitched ringing?

[joc05]

Hello, I work as a cashier at a retail store and last night our register system began to make a very loud high pitched ringing sound. I couldn't figure out how to make it stop and my manager told me it should be fine and not to worry about it. It began around 7 pm and my shift ended at 12. I tried to stay as far away from the ringing as I could simply because it was so annoying, but since I work the register I'm only allowed to step about 10-15 feet from it where I could still here it pretty clearly, but I suppose less so. A woman came in who claimed to be a neurologist (I of course don't know how true that it is) and she said that I really should not be working near that sound for such a prolonged period of time. Anyway, today it is about 3 pm and all day my ears have felt very tender and in pain when making quick movements, kind of like when your sinuses are really congested and moving is uncomfortable except in my ears. They are also ringing, and I have a headache since I woke up this morning. Should this be something to worry about and should I see my doctor? Or is this something that will resolve itself? Thank you

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello and Welcome to MedHelp and our forums.  What you are describing could be what is called acoustic trauma.  Prolonged exposure to a high pitched, loud sound can indeed have consequences.  https://www.medicinenet.com/noise_induced_hearing_loss_and_its_prevention/article.htm#what_is_the_importance_of_noise-induced_hearing_loss  

If you continue to work in that environment, it would be recommended that you use noise reducers (plugs) in your ears.  

Please see your regular physician if the symptoms you have are not going away.  We hope it does soon.  Al the best to you.