I Was Told My Tinnitus Was from Allergies — 3 Years Later, Could It Be My Thyroid?

Hello, I'm so happy I found this forum because nobody understands what's going on with me! I'm 25 and have had a constant ringing in both of my ears for the past 3 years.

I had an ear infection in 2017 that I had treated and it went away. A few weeks following I woke up one morning feeling very "off". My head and ears felt full and I had a low fever. I thought I was just getting a cold or something so I didn't think too much into it. Ever since that day my ears make a "pop" sound every single time I swallow and I hear a constant ringing. I've been to an ENT who was positive it was allergies (mucus irritating my ears) so I went to an allergy specialist who told me that I'm allergic to cats. (I've never had a cat and I live in a brand new house where no cat has ever stepped foot) I've been prescribed nasal spray and antihistamines multiple times but nothing ever changes or gets better.

I have a large, non cancerous nodule in my right thyroid. It's very large and I can feel it whenever I swallow. I've felt it in my throat for a while but I've only recently discovered what it was. I'm wondering if maybe it could be related to my tinnitus?

The past week my tinnitus has gotten worse, the "full" feeling in my ears has gotten worse and I've developed a bad cough that I believe is related to the nodule in my thyroid. My throat feels very "Tickly" where the nodule is, I've read it could be irritating my windpipe or something.

The pressure in my head is constantly changing, my nose is almost always runny/stuffed and I get a lot of bad headaches on top of the constant ear fullness and ringing. I've given up hope of treating it but since it's getting worse I'm getting worried. Any thoughts?

 

With all the symptoms you listed I would suggest seeing a doctor, a different one than you saw in the past. You might have an infection of some kind. The ENT won’t have any really effective tinnitus treatment, but they can treat an infection. For the lump on your thyroid, have you seen an endocrinologist?

 

I just had my thyroid, and other things checked and I'm waiting for the results.

 

I've seen 3 different general physicians, and ENT and an allergy specialist...I'm not sure who is left to see unfortunatly. I have seen an endocrinologist (had a biopsy and it was determined the nodule is nothing cancerous- just annoying) I mentioned that my ears ring but she didn't seem interested in helping make a conncection.

 

It is because they don't care and are uninspired.

 

I’m really sorry you’re going through this. I wish I had some useful ideas but I’m afraid I don’t. I hope you find some relief.