New Member Introduction & Question re: Somatic Tinnitus

[TaoOfBlue]

Hi, just registered. Have had fullness in ears and ringing, both sudden onset in April 2002. Ringing eased up, and I habituated, but fullness never left. Three ENTS find nothing wrong with my ears and last hearing test (years ago) was at level of a person never exposed to noise pollution - meaning, it was perfect, surprising doctors, as I was 40 years old then. Reason I'm here: tinnitus volume increased suddenly, likely due to my attending outdoor event with loud speaker and unexpected fireworks, but I DID have ear plugs in my purse, mercifully, or who knows how bad tinnitus would be now. Although I am a therapist and life coach who possesses a lot of self awareness, I found myself feeling those feelings many of you speak of: Panic, anxiety, loss of control, depression, a sense of needing to escape, low quality of life, etc. I do have appointment with audiologist as I have long suspected I have cochlear hydrops and/or my TMJ causes tinnitus as all other conditions ruled out by ENTS. I saw my chiropractor yesterday and my C-1 (Atlas) was out. I did notice today I feel better in every sense since adjustment and could sleep with my ear on pillow, which ringing prevented me from doing past few weeks, even with sound masker on. I am reviewing posts here and will have questions in future. I am reducing sodium in my diet as I do notice too much sodium increases ringing, which again suggests I have cochlear hydrops. Other possibility: Exacerbated hypothyroidism: High TSH of 67 (!) due to sudden sensitivity to synthetic thyroid that i had to go off of due to heart concerns. On bioidentical thyroid now but tsh will take a while to come down. Lastly, I suspect my tinnitus may be somatic as I can make it louder if I clench my teeth. Are there methods for reduction of somatic tinnitus that others here know about? Best, TOB.

 

[glynis]

A warm welcome to tinnitus talk.
If your tinnitus goes louder clenching your teeth then a mouth guard might help you as might do it in your sleep...lots of love glynis

 

[TaoOfBlue]

Thank you, Glynis. I have a high quality mouthguard from my dentist already but don't wear it every night as I have never known for certain if it makes me clench more as sometimes I feel it exacerbates my TMJ. However, after researching last night, it seems it would be wise for me to try wearing it every night and see what happens over time. If it gets worse, I will consult with a new dentist I have (I relocated so don't see old dentist anymore) and ask her to check the mouthguard fit.

 

[DebInAustralia]

I can make my t softer by clenching my teeth

 

[TaoOfBlue]

Softer! I wouldn't have expected that. I realized this week I can also make mine louder by turning my neck certain ways. I'm guessing that somehow various nerves are affected. But who knows? Seeing an audiologist that reportedly is good with tinnitus issues next month.