Hey, My Tinnitus Started Around the Time I Bought a 2016 Honda CRV

Hi. Just introducing myself. I'm Mike, pushing 50. 28 years inside a processing plant post office.

My tinnitus seems to have started about a month ago around the time I bought a 2016 Honda CRV. Road noise about 70 dB which is normal. Engine is very quiet. Road noise to me sounds normal. My prior vehicle was a 2003 Ford F350, much noticeably louder.

I went to urgent care and was given a diagnosis of OME (water in the ear). My tinnitus comes and goes. Mostly subsides after being at home for a day, no driving or work. I have an appointment with ENT in July. I'm just really frustrated not being able to pinpoint a cause and blaming it on the car.

Any advice or support would be appreciated. Thank you for listening - Mike

 

Is the processing plant loud?

 

Welcome to the forum. Your tinnitus may not be due to change of car. It may be a coincidence. There are many causes, single or combined, which can trigger or aggravate tinnitus including but not limited to drug side-effects from ototoxic drugs, earwax build-up, earwax removal suction, inner ear infection, Eustachian tube disorder or ETD, ear drum injury, fluid build-up in ears feeling pressured or fullness, sinus infection & congestion especially with a bad cold, TMJ, TTTS, autoimmune disorders such as Lyme Disease & Fibromyalgia, high blood pressure or blood circulation problem, anemia, loud noise exposure or acoustic trauma/shock, acoustic neuroma tumor, head injury or TBI, neck injury or muscle problems, hearing loss from aging or other causes, Meniere's Decease, barotrauma from rapid pressure changes in flights or diving, especially with congested nose or sinus causing failure to balance the pressure changes, slapping of the ears, deep grief, untreated sleep apnea, extreme/extended stress, anxiety & panic disorder, depression, sleep deprivation, etc.

Tinnitus can also be caused or made worse by unhealthy diet such as too much salt, sugar, caffeine, MSG, alcohol etc. or by lacking some mineral or vitamin supplements, such as Magnesium, Zinc, B12, D3 etc. So try to see if you have any of the above issues during the time your tinnitus started. There may be other causes which I haven't listed above. But in general these are the general causes, especially those related to loud noise exposure, drug side effects, too much stress and anxiety over an extended period, etc. Hope you can find the root cause of your tinnitus. If not, then try to stay calm and give your body time to heal. Try do some relaxing activities. Read up the success stories to give yourself hope that you can become better like other members.

Take good care. God bless.