It Started 10 Days Ago

[OzIn]

Hi everyone!

New here and new to Tinnitus.

1. Woke up last Friday (7 Oct 2016) with construction kind of noise (pounding) but no apparent construction going in my vicinity, I quickly realized it was in my ear or head. For the record, I haven't been exposed to loud noise.

2. Wasn't terrified as I thought I just need to un-pop my ear. Sound continued in right ear at my office and converted to more manageable hissing sound and by the night it was high freq (16kHz) barely noticeable but I was still aware of it. Usually, not a club person but that night (already having the sound in my ear) I went to have drinks at a place with loud music but not super-loud.

3. Woke up next day - the sound was still there. Somewhat terrified, went to see a GP on the weekend - not my usual doctor. Unsympathetic doctor told me straightaway "You will live with it the rest of your life. Some people become depressed and S-". I didn't take it seriously but started reading all about it. This forum has been a great help!

4. Originally, I was a little terrified - sleeping is still difficult sometimes but when I am super-sleepy it doesn't bother me. It wakes me up but I go back to sleep. I have started using TV and white noise as a distraction.

5. I went to see my usual GP and she said it could be earwax, use cerumol and get it cleaned. After a week of cerumol, went to audiologist who has microsuction but to my surprise (and little bit sadness) she found no wax in my ear. Cerumol didn't remove it (nothing on cotton) - it just wasn't there.

6. Volume switch - If I press right jaw joint downward, the sound would increase (in right ear). Turning neck extreme right increases sound in left ear and vice versa. Turning neck backwards increases sound in left ear. I will consider TMJ after ENT.

7. GP has asked me to go to ENT which will be on 8-Nov-16.

8. In the meantime I have tried massage, Bowen Therapy and Acupuncture. So far no relief.

9. The sound originally started in right ear and stayed there for 2 days with no sound in left ear. After couple of days, it moved to left ear and it has found it's home in left since then.


History:

I have a history of headaches and used disprin (asprin) as pain killer for around 15 years and then switched to Neurofen (Ibuprofen) - max 2 tabs a month - sometimes 4. I don't think it caused it.

Just couple of days leading to the sound/noise, I realized I was sleeping in bad position and one day I realized my neck was bent nearly into my chest. My neck/spine is a bit misaligned which chiropractor identified in an XRay over 2 years ago. I don't think it is the cause. I do get neck pain only in my right neck from time to time.

I get mouth ulcers (canker sores, NOT viral cold sores) from time to time.

I wear orthotic insole to support my right foot.

Background:
Age: Just turned 32yo, 3 weeks ago
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Indian
Residence: Sydney, Australia
Stress level: Not really stressed
Alcohol: Occasionally - once or twice a month.
Smoking: Nil - Once in a while - 1 in 3 months for fun.
Past ear infections: None

for reading!

Best regards.

 

[OzIn]

Fun fact #1: Just before I acquired Tinntus I have never heard this term before EXCEPT two days prior to acquiring it I started seeing an ad on news websites at the bottom of the page showing "New cure for Tinnitus" which basically had a clear plastic wrapped around a man's ear with cloth hanger clips to hold it around ear!

I now feel like the ads were conspiring against me!

Not-so-fun fact: I do feel a little bit pulsate nature of my noise today

 

[MikeP505]

Hang in there OZ. Chuckle on the ad conspiring to get yea! Be careful with your hearing if you notice any ringing or soreness and speak to your doctor about this. Never hurts to have your GP informed so he/she can keep tabs on this with you.

Hope this is just a temporary issue and it fades away for you. Keep us posted.

 

[MikeP505]

I just noticed your seeing an ENT soon. Good stuff.

 

[OzIn]

Thanks Mike! I hope you are coping well too.

I have started experimenting with it and last night I slept without white-noise and I am also avoiding music to mask it. While mine might not be as severe as others may experience here, it is certainly unwanted noise that's constantly annoying but I have realized when I am super busy or focused on something (or sleepy), I nearly forget or care less about it.

Mike, or anyone reading this, a question for you:

Q: Is it common that Tinnitus occur in one ear only? More importantly, is it common that the sound changes with head / neck movement?

To me this sounds like it is something to do with physical structure as opposed to brain or nerves or even ear system (at least in my case). As I have mentioned before, couple of days prior to getting it, I was sleeping with my neck bent forward - quite weird position. My theory is that might have caused some blood vessel issues or a nerve getting stuck somewhere, or potentially, irreversible damage to one of these things in cervical area...

 

[MikeP505]

I'm not sure what causes these changes in tinnitus with neck and head movements. I have never experienced this but many others have. It seems to have something to do with the fluids in the inner ear, more than nerves or other ideas.

Tons of people here report tinnitus in one ear only. Seems to be very common. I typically tend to believe this is noise induced and the one ear was exposed to louder noises. I am not a doctor or specialist and only relating the things I have picked up from others.

I believe my loud tinnitus was drug induced from the surgery I underwent and damaged both inner ear hairs and tissues equally.

Try to sleep in a decent and comfortable position all the time. Proper sleep and proper diet are most important now. So is protecting your hearing as you now know you are sensitive in this area. Exercise is also very helpful and so is just focusing on things other than the ringing.

Be careful with what you read and try in your search for relief. Research everything in great detail before beginning any treatment.

Keep us posted and again, talk to your doctor about everything.

 

[MikeP505]

Just a little comic strip I like to pass along to remind people about the hazards of surfing websites for (mis)information! Enjoy!

http://johnhartstudios.com/ckennelstrips/2016/october/ckn100616dc.jpg

 

[OzIn]

Haha, yes. Every medical 'research' on google leads to cancer (no offence to those who have/had it).