My Pulsatile Tinnitus Went Away After Using CPAP for Sleep Apnea — Tea Kettle Sound Remains

Hi Everyone! Greetings from the Midwest of the US.

This is my first support group ever but the ringing in my ears brought me here. At the beginning of January (the 4th to be exact) I started hearing a heartbeat in my right ear and it would not stop. The next week a tea kettle sound started going off in my left ear.

My GP referred me to an ENT and they did a hearing test. My hearing is completely normal. Concerned about the heartbeat in my ear, the ENT ordered an MRI. The MRI came back with my left maxillary sinus being completely blocked and a benign tumor sitting on my sinus bone. It also showed that I have a small Cephalocele in my right Meckel’s cave (the brain).

Fast forward, my ENT says sleep apnea is causing pressure in my brain which caused the pulsatle tinnitus. After using my CPAP regularly, it has gone away.

However the tea kettle in my left ear is roaring! The ENT said he has no idea what’s causing it. I have to have sinus surgery for all the sinus issues but he doesn’t think it is what is causing the ringing. I am so confused, what to do?

Anyone ever heard of a situation like this? COVID-19 took over 10 people in my family and after much therapy I finally am out of my adjustment disorder. I am super concerned this will send me back where I was last year.

Any advice on next steps?

 

Welcome to the forum. Strange indeed that your ENT can rule out the sinus problem as a cause of your tinnitus. It is because often we hear members say their tinnitus was caused by sinus trouble. Hopefully after your sinus operation the tinnitus will fade away. All the best to you. God bless.

 

I get the same way too, he brushed me off somewhat.

Thank you for the well wishes!