New to the Forum, But Not to Pulsatile Tinnitus

I’ve lived with PT for at least 4-5 years now and 'regular' tinnitus for almost a decade. Early on, I happened to mention it to my father who said he’s heard his heartbeat in his head for almost 40 years – so my fears were somewhat relaxed. I figured it was possibly genetic and just ‘one of those things’ that I’d have to live with, too.

I was recently referred to an ENT for asymmetric hearing loss and asked the Dr. about my PT symptoms. Right now, the PT is generally fairly mild at rest…easily heard when I move about or exercise, and strangely enough sometimes the loudest when I wake in the middle of the night, like the sound of cicadas. It’s mostly in my left ear (my 'bad' ear), although now and then the swooshing will be more centered in my head.

The ENT didn’t seem too concerned and said he’d be more worried if I had constant 24/7 pounding in my ear. I continued to ask questions and he abruptly said he’d order an MRI just to see what’s going on. Now I’ve got a decision – to spend a generous amount of money on an MRI (I’ve got a high deductible insurance plan) or roll the dice that I’ve just got idiopathic PT. I’m dealing with quite a bit of anxiety as a result.

Anyhow, that’s my story – and it’s great to have found a community of people who understand.

 

I have had pulsatile tinnitus and slight hearing loss for 3 years but never heard crickets like a previous poster I only hear my heart beating. If I am anxious and my heart is beating faster that makes me more anxious because I can hear it. Anyway due to a blockage in a carotid artery I have to have a stent and while reading up on it I saw cases on pulsatile tinnitus being cured by this surgery. I asked the surgeon and he said the surgery does not cure it. Who do I believe? I may never know as he is putting the stent in the opposite ear! Has anyone heard of this cure?

 

I have suffered from Pulsatile Tinnitus in my left ear since 2006, four years ago an ENT specialist arranged a CT scan and a ultra sound on my carotid arteries as he thought the problem was vascular, the resulting tests showed a 70% blockage in my left carotid artery. The ENT specialist seemed confident that this was the problem and referred me to a vascular specialist who said that the blockage needed clearing but said that it would not cure the PT, a carotid endarterectomy was performed but there is no change in the PT.

Gary.

 

Hi. Karen,
For some time I have been thinking that my problem could be TMJ related, it did not occur to me at the time that a serious side impact car accident had occurred just before the PT started, I have seen a specialist about this but got nowhere. I find that by applying pressure to my jaw in different places I can decrease or increase the sound of the PT, I have tried the 'off the shelf' mandibular devices with no success, I have now discovered an individually made device called the Somnowell which is designed to bring the bottom jaw forward, it is marketed as a device to cure snoring and sleep apnoea, which I also suffer from, so even if it does not work for the PT I may get relief from the apnoea!
I have ordered a Somnowell device which should be ready in the next couple of weeks and I will let you know the results. I live in England so don't know if it is available in other countries.

 

Hi Karen,

Will certainly report back after I have received the Somnowell device and tried it for a couple of weeks.

Regards.

Gary.