Is It Okay to Stop Searching for an Answer?

[Roxsan]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I've had pulsatile tinnitus in my left ear for about two years now. No idea how it started - it just did. I've had a hearing test, blood test, brain and cervical spine MRI , and brain and cervical spine MRV. Hearing test, blod test and brain MRI and MRV came back normal. Cervical spine MRI showed osteophytes from c4 to c7 on left side, but cervical spine MRA shows that the osteophytes aren't compressing any atery or stopping any kind of flow. My full results say "Normal examination. No focal pathology identified. No abnormal contrast enhancement. 7th and 8th cranial nerves are normal. No evidence of any mass or anomomy at the skull base. No further abnormality through the posterior fossa (I think by that they mean the only abnormality is the osteophyte formation at the c4 level). Normal MR venogram".

After I got the results, I was estatic. I was so happy to know that I didn't really have anything serious, and was prepared to just get on with life. I figured that maybe my TMJ and my high stress job as an audio transcriber (where I wear headphones 7 hours a day) might have contributed to it.

But is moving on really okay? I've seen so many posts and blogs by people over the past couple of years looking for answers and a cure, and all of these tests listed that my ENT didn't feel necessary to perform. And it makes me feel anxious. Like that maybe I should be looking for a cause and cure. But at the same time, I don't care. I can live with the noise knowing that my brain is perfectly healthy and I have no vascular abnormalities.

What are your thoughts?

 

[glynis]

Welcome to Tinnitus Talk Roxsan.
Great to hear all your test results were fine.
You could be picking up your artery pulse that's by your middle ear.
Stay positive and look in to Maskers or hearing aids if need some relief from your pulsitile tinnitus...lots of love glynis

 

[Aaron123]

But at the same time, I don't care. I can live with the noise knowing that my brain is perfectly healthy and I have no vascular abnormalities.

This says it all. Perfectly fine to stop searching. No need for the added anxiety!

 

[Karen]

Hi, @Roxsan

In my opinion, it is perfectly fine to not keep searching for answers, and having more and more tests. I'm at the same point myself; I've had PT for almost six years now, and had a lot of tests with no answers. Like you, I was relieved to learn that I didn't have anything serious. As long as you are able to live with your condition, and as long as your condition doesn't suddenly become worse, I don't think it's always necessary to keep looking for a cure.

I heard the same thing you heard -- that if you have PT you should never give up the search, until you find the cause. But for some of us, finding a cause may be very elusive.

If you are OK with your present situation, then I would say the answer is "No"!

Best wishes,
Karen

 

[Bobby B]

wait - you mention wearing headphones 7 hours a day ?
every working day for years ?

maybe that's your answer..what audio frequencies did they test ?

 

[Roxsan]

Hi there,

I had a comprehensive hearing test and ear examination which took about a hour. No idea what audio frequencies they tested, but my results were amazing. The exact words of the ENT was "Your hearing is amazing. As expected of a 26 year old".

I did think my job may have had something to do with it, but my hearing and ears appear to be in excellent health. I've had my job as an audio transcriber for about a year and a half now. I work 8 hours a day, approx 7 of which is spent wearing over-the-ear headphones (not ear buds. Never ear buds).

Edit: I should also note that in the past I had a lot of issues with my sitting posture which resulted in week deep neck flexors and cervicogenic headaches. But I had that long before my tinnitus began, and am now nearly fully recovered. I haven't had a cervicogenic headache in a very long time (at least a year)

 

[Bobby B]

"No idea what audio frequencies they tested"

Didn't they give you a audio gram ? if you suspect inner ear issues this would be like the most important test ..it can look great until 8khz then go bad in the HF range and cause T, a few people here have exactly this same issue.

I'd look into that test frequncy range closer before calling it quits

 

[Roxsan]

I was shown the audiogram , and it showed excellent results. He explained the ranges to me but not in detail (like he didn't go in depth into the frequencies). Hearing was excellent. I also had my inner and middle ear examined and tested and that was excellent. I don't think I need to go back and check. I was tested specifically to try and diagnose my pulsatile tinnitus, and I'm not about to doubt the level of testing that was carried out by a specialist. Maybe that's a bit small minded but my ENT was recommended to me but people who've had pulsatile tinnitus and have had it cured thanks to him, so I think he's solid

 

[Roxsan]

Interestingly though, my hearing in my left ear, where the tinnitus is, is a bit better than my right.

 

[Bobby B]

How can a doctor "cure people" from tinnitus if there isn't even any cure available ?

Is he keeping a secret from the rest of the world ?

 

[Karen]

@Bobby B

Pulsatile tinnitus is different from regular tinnitus, in that it is usually vascular in nature. For pulsatile tinnitus, it is possible to find a cure --- if the source of the PT can be found. Those of us with PT have to make a decision as to whether or not we want to keep going from doctor to doctor, having more tests, and seeking the source of our condition. For some it's worth it, for others, it can be frustrating and futile.