Head Tinnitus — Four Possible Causes

Hello!

I got tinnitus in December 11, 2018. I remember waking up and hearing this noise in the head. I don't know the cause of my tinnitus but it has four possibilities.

When I went to my GP, he told me I had fluid behind my eardrum and my eardrum looked pink. He also told me I had wax plug in the right ear. I want to say that I had in-ear phones in my right ear when I was going to work, not that loud volume though. Anyways he gave Mometasone spray to use for four weeks and asked then to come back.

The fluid was gone, still the tinnitus is there. They sent me to an ENT and this is what the ENT said:

”Hearing test:
A normal audiogram with the hint of a slight treble reduction. Image closest to presbyakusis of mild kind. Average 16 dB air conduction bilaterally.”

What does that mean?

Fourth cause I might suspect is my tense neck, it's very hard. I got an appointment at at physiotherapist. She checked my neck and said that I have a problem with Cervical and Trapezius muscle. In October last year, I began to feel a little pain in the neck, tense headache and dizziness (not vertigo), it's better now though. I felt it specially in stores and during long walks. She told me it is very possible my tinnitus is caused by those tense muscles.

What you think the cause is?

Also do any of you work night shifts? I've been working night shifts since 2015, does it affect your tinnitus? It helps me, especially with the sleeping part.

 

Nobody?

 

Hi @Momme

I wanted you to have a reply because it can be soul destroying to feel nobody cares

Have you spoken to your ENT about possible Ménière's because this causes vertigo/dizziness and tinnitus??

I have problems with ET (although not diagnosed) and this causes aural fullness/ tinnitus. I’ve had MRI and hearing test all normal. Consultant thinks mines was caused by b12 deficiency and acid reflux (my larynx is affected and she thinks acid may have reached my tubes) but who knows.

If you check YouTube there are some great videos showing how to drain fluid from Eustachian tubes and this actually helped me a lot.

I also have tight neck muscles because of my job and sometimes my tinnitus can either stop or get louder when I move my jaw/neck. There’s a Tinnitus Talk survey just now regarding this that you might want to look at.

Best of Luck

Denise

 

Hi Denise

Thank you for the reply, I appreciate it!

I haven't, but I don't have the symptoms for Meniere's. Only dizziness since October when I take long walks or am in a store (not everytime).

Did you check your B12? If your larynx is affected is there any treatment for it?

I don't think I have a problem with fluid any longer, it was when I got tinnitus.
GP and ENT checked my ears in July and they looked fine.
I am going tomorrow to GP so he is going to check them again

Which survey is that?

Again, thanks and I wish you well!

 

@Momme

The most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise/sounds. Listening to music through headphones at too loud a volume is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. Even though you may not think the volume has been too loud often it is. Attending clubs and concerts can cause it too and other forms of exposure to loud noise.

If you have had tests done at ENT and there is no underlying medical problem within your auditory system causing the tinnitus, then it's likely to be noise induced. Therefore, you should be referred to a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist for tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment and management if you are finding the tinnitus problematic making habituation difficult. Please click on the links below and read my posts.

All the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

 

@Michael Leigh

Is white noise generator something to consider or can it make my tinnitus worse? Has it made some people's tinnitus worse? Also hearing aids, are they for me? You can see my results from the ENT.

 

Please click on the link that I have giving you titled: Tinnitus, A Personal View. There is information on using White noise generators and hearing aids. You need to be under the guidance and care of a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist and assessed.

I have used white noise generators for many years without any problems. They are used to treat tinnitus and hyperacusis. You need to be assessed by a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that specialises in Tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment, and be under their care. Ideally, you should be having counselling when using white noise generators. Please click on the links below and read my posts on TRT treatment, where you will find more information on white noise generators.

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/trt-as-i-see-it.19555/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-is-trt-and-when-should-it-be-started.19024/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/what-happens-in-trt-sessions.18195/

 

@Momme Out of curiosity, how would you describe your head tinnitus? How is the sound? I have Head Tinnitus too.

 

Are you comfortable posting your audiogram? (blank out any personal info)

 

It's like an old tv sound. When I'm busy I don't hear it even when I wake up but when I'm down or it's silent I can hear it. Especially now I'm in a period where I feel down because of tinnitus so I probably focus more on it so I hear it more

What about yours and how did you get it?

 

I can do it. How do I get it, do I ask my GP or ENT for it?

 

Yes. Whoever did the test for you should have it (it's often an audiologist), and it should be in your medical records, so your medical provider too should be able to give it to you.

 

@Michael Leigh

Do you think white noise generators would be helpful for me? If no, why?

I heard many people coping better with tinnitus that way.