OT: Tinnitus

[Edward Sargent]

I consider everyone here family so I thought I would seek feedback from my fellow Yarders.

I have some modest ringing in both ears (commonly referred to as tinnitus). It really only impacts me at night when trying to sleep but, that said, I would love to hear if anyone has suggestions/personal experiences to share as to how to reduce the symptoms and whether you ultimately were able to eliminate it altogether..

FYI, I am going to an ENT on Weds. - seems like a long way away...

thanks in advance!

Sorry I am late with this but I have had tinnitus now that comes and goes for nearly 2 years. I swim a lot and thought that might have something to do with it and I also have periodic postural vertigo. Tinnitus can be caused by a lot of things , including certain drugs, low or high blood pressure, sometimes alcohol can bring it on. I had a complete ENT workup including MRIs for brain tumors (another cause), balance tests and hearing tests. I have always had hearing loss in my left ear but the ENT workup showed hearing loss now in my right ear. I had many earaches as a child and I am 62 so antibiotics were not as commonly prescribed so I suffered with them and personally I think that has something to do with it. My father and all my uncles were all hard of hearing so maybe genetics are involved. In any event I am not a candidate yet for a hearing aid and I put up with the periodic tinnitus (there is no treatment). One more thing I notice now that really load noise like a fire engine or the tinny voice of the flight attendant on the loud speaker of a plane is painful and I need to cover my ears. I am also not a big fan of headphones for the same reason. I do play the radio and TV very loud though and of course never hear my wife when she calls out my honey do list.

 

[Steve85]

I saw an ENT about something else, but tinnitus came up but nothing was suggested. It does not bother me when I sleep (as yet), but would be interested to hear what is suggested for you.

Thanks again to all for your thoughts.

ENT and audiologist testing showed no structural damage to my ears and I passed the hearing tests with no problem and was even told my hearing is very good for a middle-aged guy. No remaining wax in the ears so syringe did what it was supposed to do.

ENT's conclusion is that ringing probably nerve related perhaps from a virus. And, how is this for certainty, he says after the virus is gone (if in fact it was even caused by a virus) the ringing may go away or it may not. He suggested I follow-up with him in 3 months.

Husky Harry, if I could impose on you one more time (again with the proper disclaimer...). does this all make sense to you? Does the fact I still have a little lightheadedness with the ringing (but no pain or hearing loss) mean that I should simply manage it the best I can until a 3 month follow-up with no other concerns? thanks again!

 

[Icebear]

Make sure they checked your eustachian tubes for wax build up or blockage. My sister in law had tinnistus until she had a coughing fit and couched out a plug that had built up in the e-tube of her left ear. It worked out into the back of her mouth/throat. It was quite large. The tinnitus sound stopped almost immediately.

 

[CL82]

Thanks again to all for your thoughts.

ENT and audiologist testing showed no structural damage to my ears and I passed the hearing tests with no problem and was even told my hearing is very good for a middle-aged guy. No remaining wax in the ears so syringe did what it was supposed to do.

ENT's conclusion is that ringing probably nerve related perhaps from a virus. And, how is this for certainty, he says after the virus is gone (if in fact it was even caused by a virus) the ringing may go away or it may not. He suggested I follow-up with him in 3 months.

Husky Harry, if I could impose on you one more time (again with the proper disclaimer...). does this all make sense to you? Does the fact I still have a little lightheadedness with the ringing (but no pain or hearing loss) mean that I should simply manage it the best I can until a 3 month follow-up with no other concerns? thanks again!

The virus as a cause of a specific ailment is the go to diagnosis when the medical profession can't find a direct cause. They know that patients prefer that diagnosis to "Uh, I don't know." That said, it is the best diagnosis you can get since it is used in the absence of visible injury.

 

[huskyharry]

Thanks again to all for your thoughts.

ENT and audiologist testing showed no structural damage to my ears and I passed the hearing tests with no problem and was even told my hearing is very good for a middle-aged guy. No remaining wax in the ears so syringe did what it was supposed to do.

ENT's conclusion is that ringing probably nerve related perhaps from a virus. And, how is this for certainty, he says after the virus is gone (if in fact it was even caused by a virus) the ringing may go away or it may not. He suggested I follow-up with him in 3 months.

Husky Harry, if I could impose on you one more time (again with the proper disclaimer...). does this all make sense to you? Does the fact I still have a little lightheadedness with the ringing (but no pain or hearing loss) mean that I should simply manage it the best I can until a 3 month follow-up with no other concerns? thanks again!

I have found the problem of lightheadedness to be very non-specific, but I would also say that patient's' presentations often don't exactly fit what the textbooks say. Most likely, your symptoms will improve slowly over time and a 3 month follow-up would be fine. However, if things start getting worse or new symptoms appear, I would recommend calling for an earlier appointment. Good luck

 

[Steve85]

I have found the problem of lightheadedness to be very non-specific, but I would also say that patient's' presentations often don't exactly fit what the textbooks say. Most likely, your symptoms will improve slowly over time and a 3 month follow-up would be fine. However, if things start getting worse or new symptoms appear, I would recommend calling for an earlier appointment. Good luck

Husky Harry, thanks again for all your thoughts in this thread. very much appreciated!