Could My Pulsatile Tinnitus Be Caused by Glue Ear? Advice Appreciated

Hello guys, I hope everyone is well.
I am a 27-year-old female from South Africa.

All of a sudden on the 18th of August 2019, I started to hear a whooshing sound in my right ear . I started Googling the symptoms and discovered what I was experiencing to be called pulsatile tinnitus.

I made an appointment with an ear institute where they conducted hearing tests and told me all was normal. I told the lady doing the tests that when I press on my neck the sound goes away. She then said it is a blood flow problem and I should see my GP to test my blood pressure. I went immediately to my GP where once again, all was normal. I did mention to my GP I had a neurologist appointment coming up for migraines. My GP said I should mention my ear at the neurologist appointment as well.

When I saw the neurologist, I told her about my ear and what I read online about vein problems that could be connected to the brain. She sent me for a MRI without contrast and all was normal as well...

I then went and saw my ENT who said I had glue ear and blocked eustachian tubes. He scheduled me for grommets,, but I had to reschedule as I came down with pharyngitis. I am going in on the 27th of September 2019.

I would also like to note that the PT is not consistent. I will have it for certain times in a day, or some days not have it all, and then days like today where it was consistent. My ear also feels extremely blocked with lots of pressure.

My question is, does any one of you think that the PT could be caused by the glue ear? In my mind, with my voice of reason, I think that it could not be a blood flow problem, simply because I do not have consistent symptoms of the PT and because of the fact that blood flow is a consistent movement.

Can I also add, that living in South Africa is very hard. Our health care system SUCKS!!! It is so hard to find good doctors who are willing to put in the time to help us. We also have very limited specialists in certain fields. We pay so much for health insurance and yet to find answers is such a mission.

If anyone has any answers for me it will greatly help!!

Xoxo
Secole

 

@Secole
I've never heard of PT being caused by glue ear.

See a specialist who has interest in PT.

 

@ajc thank you for your response.

I think that will be my next step after the grommets.

Can you believe there is only one doctor who specializes with PT in the entire country of South Africa, and he is 18 hours away from me...

But I won't give up. Being on this forum has really bought me so much information and insight.

Thank you!!

 

There is little reference to glue ear and PT. PT cause mention in link is 25% and when pressing on neck it goes away. Your neurologist may say that's it not dangerous since your PT is not consistent, not too worry.
https://www.entcenterutah.com/adult-care/otology-neurotology/sigmoid-sinus/

The other possibility is a neck artery, maybe the jugular vein and that also does not seem like a concern for you, as it also stops when pressing on neck. Your neurologist can confirm by ultrasound.

You may have glue ear, but I agree that your PT is a blood flow source noted by pressing on neck and that any glue ear isn't causing PT.

 

@Greg Sacramento,
Thank you for the information, it's very interesting and much appreciated.