New High-Pitched Tinnitus in Right Ear: Possibly Eustachian Tube Related?

[Karatekutya]

Hello everyone,

I have had baseline tinnitus in both ears for about 15 years. It has been a stable, constant tone that never really bothered me. Around 10 years ago, I developed another high-pitched sound in my right ear, but it only appeared when I yawned or stretched, so I didn't consider it a big problem.

However, a few days ago this right-ear tone suddenly became constant. It is a high-pitched whistle that:

• Gets louder when I yawn or stretch, then decreases again.
• Completely disappears if I block my ear with a finger.
• Changes or sometimes goes away temporarily when I perform a Valsalva maneuver (equalizing pressure).
• Often comes back with the first swallow after equalizing.
• Gets louder after stronger blowing or pressure.

There is no pain, no hearing loss, and no ear fullness, which makes me think this might not be a classic "nerve tinnitus" but something mechanical, possibly linked to the Eustachian tube or middle ear.

Has anyone experienced something similar, where tinnitus changes with pressure or ear movement? Any advice or insights would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[squiggy]

That sounds like Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. You may need to see an ENT to check the pressure in your ears.

I once had an ENT who wanted me to go through an MRI, but I was afraid it might worsen the tinnitus from 30 to 60 minutes of listening to a clanking, knocking, very loud machine. I'm not sure what your ENT will recommend, but mine insisted on the MRI and I refused.

Yesterday I saw another ENT, and he didn't notice any pressure issues in my ears, so I'm still not sure why the first one wanted me to have the MRI.