Chronic Cervicogenic Tinnitus Rapidly Resolved by Intermittent Use of Cervical Collar

Well, sometimes you stumble upon strange things. This is definitely one of 'em...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4803736/

Basically they are currently trying to help people with cervical pain syndrome using cervical collars. A larger paper is in preparation. The article reports a case of someone having suffered T (after cervical pain syndrome) for 20 year who got cured by use of a cervical collar for about a month.

Interesting read, but I don't think getting a Cervical Collar will be the cure.

 

Actually I think a neck issue (likely in the sternocleidomastoid muscle and nearby muscles) may have been the source of my dysfunctioning Eustachian tube (ETD) and thus my T.

My reasoning goes like this: local inflammation in nearby neck muscles led to dysfunction of the tensor veli palitini or one of the other Eustachian tube muscles. I suspect that many people whose ears pop a lot when they swallow or wake up with negative ear pressure may have this. If there is no ear fluid, then otitis media isn't the cause of the ETD. Rather it really is a dysfunction or the Eustachian tube muscles.

I know I've been using a heating pad on my neck for the past 20 days or so and my headaches have almost disappeared. Similarly, I now wake up and rarely have negative middle ear pressure. I still have residual pain when swallowing in the sternocleidomastoid region so there's still that. However I do notice a reduction in my T so maybe cervicogenic tinnitus is a real phenomena.

 

I was sleeping funny for a few days, making my neck crooked and holding it there and going to sleep. I woke up and the room was spinning were were ringing I had nystagmus and nausea. I have never been the same the Tinnitus never went away. They say I got a virus that inflamed my inner ear but I think it was my posture when sleeping... Still trying to make the T go away..

 

I'm still wondering if I need this type of surgery. http://www.tinnitusjournal.com/detalhe_artigo.asp?id=236

 

How do u establish that? Good find...injured my neck a couple of years ago, had physiology for it, still find it painful to look up with my head...ENT never mentioned, why do we have to find this stuff out for ourselves?

 

How do u get a cervical collar, how would u replicate the experiment?

 

Well ENTs will look at your audiogram and say your tinnitus is caused by high frequency hearing loss (if you have that) and diminish any chance of another cause.

You can probably get a simple foam cervical collar many places. I have one of them and a post-surgical collar also. I had a C5-C7 fusion from the front in late June. I will ask the spinal surgeon on 9-28-16 on a possible surgery on the back of my neck due to instability. I am not even certain if I have instability to my upper cervical? I have a lot of stiffness and grating noises though.

One of mine is a Aspen cervical collar and the other one is a Medline brand.
http://www.aspenmp.com/products/upper-spine/aspen-collar/
http://www.medline.com/product/Soft-Foam-Cervical-Collars/Z05-PF02899

 

Thanks for the info. No hearing loss (even though was subjected to loud noise) have had TMJ for a long time/ETD.

Then Nearly three years ago hurt my neck at gym, did physio therapy but upper cervical never back to normal, struggle looking up...well it's a lead worth following.

Also anyone heard of this treatment:

Tinnitus, Headache, Neck and Back Pain, Atlas...

 

I have left TMJD and ETD too, but don't think they are the cause. My noise is very, very loud today so I'm frustrated again. I'm seeing a ENT tomorrow that specializes in tinnitus. I had not seen him in years as he went to the VA I was told. I'm sure he will tell me it's inner ear caused again. I have to keep trying and find relief somehow?

I've never got any relief from upper cervical chiropractors.

 

You know this is all a dream and you can get out of it once you realise that.

 

Yes it is a living nightmare.

 

Our posture in front of a computer is not good either. Very difficult to break that bad habit.

 

What did he tell you?

 

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/finding-a-cure-for-tinnitus.17506/#post-204599

 

I am having a reduction in my tinnitus with the use of a cervical collar. My tinnitus is caused by, I believe, poor posture from sitting and working on my computer. I read about a cervical collar, that one person's tinnitus was cured by it. I have been wearing a cervical collar now and my tinnitus is reduced and I feel getting better. It is still there, but not as loud. I am hopeful now. Sometimes we have to find out things by ourselves. The doctors tell us there is no cure, so you have to do research on your own. I could tell my tinnitus was coming from the neck. It's worth a try to try a cervical collar. It can't hurt anyway.

 

Great- had an injury at the gym, knew it was bad felt as if my knock couldn't even support my head and went to physiology for a while. My neck still hurts when I walk for a long time...and sometimes for no reason. Plus can't look up, list that range of movement however have also had TNT and bite issues for years so got s new bite guard. Unfortunately it makes my gums sore...so back to the drawing board.

How often do you use the cervical collar? When did the T start?

 

Researchers have told me that it's not always your ears, it's your jaw and neck. ICNR has many success stories relating to this:

http://www.icnr.com/cs/cs_50.html


1. cranial manipulation
2. Micro-current stimulation combined with myofascial release techiques
3. ALF appliances to correct cranial stress

Prognosis: Excellent
Hyperacusis and sounds were resolved

 

The American Tinnitus Association no longer has a list of supporters that you can call, but 7 years ago they did. By talking to one, he placed me in touch with a leading immune and brain structural tinnitus researcher. He said that most who have tinnitus have it mild or very mild. His advice to me was because I had serious T. He mentioned Prednisone right off the bat, but said if your emotions and structural make up - (front lobe wired by strong decision projecting) - then prednisone will not help. Those who are able to habituate or not - depends on their front lobe development.

He told me that you will never really lower your T less you do the following. Detox your body first. He said the reason why you don't see detoxing for tinnitus listed on the net so much - is because you have to see a professional for this. Many techniques done in the wrong way could be very dangerous to your overall health. Never drink coffee. Take long baths.

Once you detox, then have everything above your waist scanned. Then to see an expert team that they list in my link above. After detoxing use B12, use antioxidant and immune dietary supplements and drink plenty of water. He said that all T sufferers with the right attitude and commitment should be able to have their T greatly reduced.

Emotions such as Billie has listed is important. Your front lobe controls emotions and long term drug use interferes with brain functions. This researcher said that with long term drug use, you will never habituate. He also is against placing tone sounds directly into your ears. Not to have audio tests perform just after an onset on Tinnitus - wait until your ears settle down. Recently I provided links from two highly professionals that give the same advice.

Tinnitus is big business, for clinics, hospitals, supplement companies, sound treatment and prevention companies.

 

I recently talk to the director of the ER where I once worked. She has tinnitus from going to clubs when she was younger. The largest sufferers of tinnitus that have entered the hospital with tinnitus had noise induced trauma, followed by ear infections and wax build up, followed by neck pain, dental procedures, jaw/pain, sciatica pain and self cleaning of ears. Data about the use of drug medication, head trauma, genetics, blood vessels, bones in ears is unknown. Age factors differ according to cause.

It's interesting that neck and jaw pain often accompany an onset of tinnitus. Also tinnitus caused by other diseases is unknown.

 

Thanks Greg for all your info, not sure where to get that kind of manipulation here in the UK...or if a regular osteopath would have heard of it...

 

@Greg Sacramento Did your T reduce at all? Or have you actually implemented that advice?

 

I am actually reviewing that article, among many others as part of the research for my next 2-3 video, which will be summing up my series on somatic tinnitus: how to know if yours can be improved and the best way to get results.

It is important to note, with regard to this particular case study,

Here is the prescription: "Yet, 20 min after wearing CC [cervical collar] for the first time, the patient felt a slight improvement of tinnitus; after wearing the CC over 2 weeks as recommended, usually about three times a day, for 15–30 min each, the tinnitus was significantly less distracting; this treatment schedule was continued for further 2 weeks, then the tinnitus remitted completely."​

 

Maybe because people start clenching / grinding their teeth because of stress which is caused by T.

 

Dr.,
Are you going to come to this forum and announce when your video will be available?
I suspect my tinnitus is neck related....T frequency changes if I arch my back in the morning rising from bed raising thorax vertebra of upper back with my head. The tone of my tinnitus changes based upon this momentary loading.

Also, any benefit of decompressing cervical vertebra by body inversion and hanging from lower body?
Thank you.

 

Yes, I will post it, probably in this thread.
Regarding inversion: I don't know. I don't think it would be a good replacement for the collar.

 

@RonnieCarzatto I've been to a lot of specialists and had x rays and CTs. I've also been able to talk to and see a few specialists. So I know what my problems are with my neck and mouth. As far as treatment, I have tried a few things, but I haven't continued to the point where if possible to receive any lasting benefit. I've done detox.

One problem is I never know when my T will be at a very severe level from just being severe. So I had to cancel appointments because I just couldn't get myself together to go.

I had mentioned in another post today that I will continue with light finger touch massage for a little temporary relief. Also to continue again with loss of lordosis exercises which may take a long time to see any results.

I have some hearing loss, so I don't expect a lot of deduction. I also have too many age related problems. Some here don't have my problems and maybe they could see a little real deduction.

 

I wore a soft cervical collar last night in bed without a pillow. I seem considerably better today, but no real track record yet. No obnoxious noise, just some high pitched that isn't bothersome. I am not wearing it much during the day so far. I need to refrain from forward head posture while at a computer also. I have some straightening of my cervical lordosis according to my x-ray report. Links below talk of loss of blood flow and nerve compression due to straightening of normal cervical lordosis. Symptoms can include tinnitus.

https://www.regenexx.com/what-is-straightening-of-the-normal-cervical-lordosis/

https://www.geekloveshealth.com/cervical-lordosis-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/

 

My "normal " lasted till I fell asleep. But I'll keep trying. I was hoping I could move on to my other spinal areas that are causing me grief.

 

@just1morething As my most discussed subject here is loss of normal lordosis - a twisted or invented cervical spine from muscle spasms of forward head bending with loss of blood flow. That is what caused my somatic tinnitus. How is the neck brace working and how long do you use it? Are you wearing it to bed?

 

@Greg Sacramento, Yes I wear it in bed as it fills in under my neck and prevents twisting a bit. I was so happy until my nap late in the day. Not sure if it was sleep related or cervical related but will keep trying the foam collar for now. Not very comfortable. I ordered a 3 inch roll pillow. I mainly just wear it in bed with no pillow, not much during the day so far.