I’ve noticed that when exposed to loud sound (eg amplified sound at an event) I often get a kind of crackling distortion in my ear similar to an over driven or damaged loudspeaker. 

In a normal environment I don’t get it, although I do have some tinnitus and have always found it quite hard to focus on a conversation in a noisy environment like a crowded restaurant etc. Part of that is probably due to being over sensitive to noise as part of being autistic. 

The loud sound generating crackles doesn’t happen unless it’s very loud. Last night we went out to see Bill Bailey (very good if you’re going) and it happened a few times then. 

I guess I need it checked but I’m unsure whether to go to an audiologist or the GP for referral to an ENT doctor. Audiologists seem mostly to be hearing aid salesmen!

 Thoughts?