Hello All. Recently Diagnosed with Tinnitus.

Have you been around any loud noises before you developed ringing in your head? One of the things people on this site don't think about is noise. Noise is everywhere in this world and our inner ear is so delicate that damage can happen without you realizing it. So like I said have you watched any tv that was loud, listened to music through headphones/speakers that was loud? If so I can explain to you what has happened. If your Tinnitus is not noise-related then I can't.

 

I think mine may be wax, It's making my ear itchy inside but I have no idea

 

First off, hello! I haven't been here in years as I went off to deal with my tinnitus. And for the most part, I did, but now this new noise has me stressed. About 4-5 days ago, I started hearing another sound in my right ear, a clicking that only happens when bending over, walking, moving my arm over my head, running the A/C in my car, listening to the toilet water flowing or in certain situations or around certain sounds. What's weird is the clicking sounds almost metallic, if that makes sense.

My outer ear also feels full and moist at times. Funny thing is, when I put my finger in my ear, acting as a seal then I don't get those symptoms anymore. Or if I put my earbud in my ear, same thing. I have been feeling under the weather, but no fever or anything else, but I do know my tinnitus does flare up when sick. I went to the ENT and they were like "it could be a migraine, we dunno and we can schedule an MRI". Basically, useless. I'm scared, as just getting a handle on tinnitus was a chore, but now this. I know that when I get sick, I get flare-ups, but I've never had a clicking noise. I can't even tell if I'm sick; no sinus pressure, no headaches, nothing.

Just want to be sure I'm not dealing with either a new tinnitus sound or if it's something else.

I'm really scared now. I can't do this again.

 

I've had tinnitus for a while now and I've come to accept it. Frankly, it's not bad. From 1- 10, it's and about a 4, maybe 6 when I'm having a bad day. However, as the past week, there's been a weird development and I'm both scared and troubled by it. Because this has never happened before.

Now, I can simply type on my keyboard, scratch my head, move my arms, rub my skin, walk, or something random and I'll hear a slightly new sound. Like something is lightly tapping a piece of metal or flicking a coat zipper. It's completely random. Other times, something like the water rushing into the toilet will cause my ears, to flutter. But once I stop, or the stimulus stops, it stops. And it doesn't always happen. The sounds aren't super loud or anything, just annoying. But because I'm now listening for it, it's there. When it flutters, however, it's hard to miss.

Of the 7 years of having tinnitus, this has never happened and this has been going on for almost two weeks now. I'm trying my best to deal with this, but I'm frustrated as I had habituated but with this random mess, how am I supposed to deal with this? I was hoping it was a spike due to the weather changing or being sick, but I'm starting to doubt this.

Has anyone ever experienced this before?

 

Yes, this has happened to me after a long habituation period and explained it in my post: My Experience with Tinnitus, it is on my Started Threads.

Tinnitus can change for many reasons. Even though you have lived comfortably with it for the past 7 years this can still happen. Did you find out the original cause of the tinnitus because something usually brings it on, and this can be an indication for the change now? I do not want to speculate too much for as I've mentioned many things can be responsible for its onset. Therefore, I will mentioned the usual cause which might give you an indication and something to think about.

If the original cause of the tinnitus wasn't due to an underlying medical problem within your auditory system and this includes hearing loss, then the likely cause would be noise induced. If you were a regular user of headphones, earbuds or headsets, frequently went to venues such as nightclubs or concerts where loud music is played, this would be the reason for the onset of tinnitus. If this is the case which I don't know at present, it's not unusual for a person to habituate as you have in time, and the brain has comfortably pushed it into the background where it is of no more importance. A person might hear it periodically in quiet surroundings or a night, but for the most part they are quite content and there's no need to be concerned about the tinnitus.

All this sounds good. A person may resume using headphones, earbuds or headsets, frequently attend venues where loud music is being played - turn up the volume listening to loud music is car and they are quite happy and content for they have forgotten about the tinnitus. However, it is always there quietly in the background waiting to strike.

If noise induced tinnitus was the original cause of your tinnitus onset, the usual reason for it increasing is because of Sound. Either you have been using headphones, earbuds, headsets too often and probably too loud without realizing it. Or, you may have been listening to other types of loud music through speakers at home or in the car. These are just examples. As I say: if your tinnitus was originally noise induced then in most cases (not all) the reason for it increasing is renewed exposure to loud sounds or headphones/earbud/headset use.

If the tinnitus doesn't settle down it's a good idea to make an appointment at ENT for tests. You might find my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View, helpful and is on my Started Threads.

All the best
Michael

 

Michael, the case for my original onset was not discovered. It wasn't noise-induced though. I don't go to clubs, never have, or concerts. I use headphones but I never blast them. I recently went to an ENT, which if I'm being honest was not helpful. They did a test, said no middle ear infection, tested my hearing which was perfect and sent me on my way. When I tried to tell them about my concerns, the ENT dismissed me. I had more contact and convo with the assistants than the actual doctor.

I was supposed to get an MRI scheduled, but after waiting in the waiting room for 20 minutes, I was told the staff who did that went to lunch. I was assured someone would call me; they didn't. I've called this office 3x times now, and not a single return call.

When this new-onset occurred, I was not near any loud sounds. It just happened. Again, I am sick, congestion and whatnot, but I was not near any loud noises.

 

Getting back to this, it's not all sounds. It's not even loud sounds, it's light, barely noticeable sounds that cause my tinnitus to act up. That doesn't seem like noise-induced tinnitus, does it?

 

HI Keith. Something usually brings on tinnitus as it's rare it just happens by chance. Stress can be a factor, that's the reason I asked you to read my article: Tinnitus A Personal View. I will paste the link below and a link on hyperacusis.

When you first got the tinnitus, if you regularly used headphones, earbuds or headsets, even at low levels this could have caused the tinnitus. Fast forward to now: if you regularly use headphones, earbuds or headsets for video conferencing for example, this can cause the tinnitus to increase even if you are using them at low to moderate levels. Only you will know how often you use these devices? The light barely noticeable sounds that you mention that aggravate the tinnitus, could be an indication your symptoms are related to sound.

When the ears and auditory system are sensitive to sound, it's a usual indication of hyperacusis. Therefore, it's quite possible your tinnitus is noise induced. However, you have mentioned feeling sick with congestion? These symptoms are not usually related to noise induced tinnitus but are known to accompany ETD (Eustachian Tube Dysfunction). When you had tests at ENT they would have checked for ETD. If you are experiencing sickness, dizziness, balance or difficulty hearing even congestion, you should explain this to your ENT doctor. I advise you to have the MRI scan so they can thoroughly check your auditory system.

If you are a regular user of headphones, earbuds or headsets my guess is this is the cause of increased tinnitus. The volume doesn't necessarily have to be loud through these devices, just regular use is enough to cause an increase. Go for the MRI and take this from there.

Best of luck.
Michael

Tinnitus, A Personal View | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
Hyperacusis, As I See It | Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

 

I read both of your posts and they were insightful. I do want the MRI, but yet again the ENT I went to hasn't returned my calls. I even called them again today. I'm going to have to find another ENT and hopefully, they'll let me just schedule the MRI.

Speaking of the MRI, I've seen lots of people say it's very noisy and to protect my hearing. Any recommendations on what to use for my ears?

I also appreciate you getting back to me.

 

No problem.

You can use noise reducing earplugs 18 to 30 decibels should suffice. Purchase them from Amazon or eBay. Various brands are available. Buy noise reducing that have in-built filters and not Foam plugs which block-out all external sound. I think it's important to have MRI, and if nothing untoward is found and the ENT gives you the all clear it's on to the next stage if your tinnitus is still causing you problems. I want to clarify a few things about an ENT doctor's role that some people are not aware of as I believe they are judged too harshly in some instances. However, it's true some need to improve their bedside manner, as they tend to forget they a practicing medicine with human beings who have feelings not machines.

ENT doctors are physicians, not tinnitus specialists. They treat underlying medical conditions within the auditory system that is causing the tinnitus and there are many - some I have mentioned in my previous post, so they have an important role to play and the reason you should have an MRI scan. If a problem is found within your auditory system during hearing test etc, which is causing the tinnitus they will try to treat it medically or surgically. I mentioned medical conditions within the auditory system that can cause tinnitus in Tinnitus, A Personal View.

If no underlying medical condition is found to be causing the tinnitus, the next step is referral to Audiology to see an Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment. Various treatments are available that I mentioned in my article. So usually something can be done whatever is causing the increase in your tinnitus. For now I advise trying to avoid quiet rooms and surroundings particularly at night, by using a sound machine at low level. If possible, try and avoid using headphones, earbuds and headsets as much as possible even at low volumes.

Best of luck
Michael