New to Tinnitus... Additional Symptoms Too

Hi everyone,

I started having tinnitus 2 months ago. I was getting over a bad cold and had some fullness in my right ear at that time as well. I had a couple of days of vertigo episodes initially. Vertigo is not uncommon to me, especially after an illness, so I was not surprised when that happened. The tinnitus is something new... I have it all day everyday with varying volume and pitch.

I also have been experiencing nausea, dizziness/lightheadedness, mental fog, difficulty concentrating and headaches. It seems like these symptoms intensify with activity, noise and visual stimulation.

I have had my hearing and eyes checked, MRI, blood work... all fine. I saw my physician and ENT and they basically said they have no other treatment options for me... very frustrating. I have been doing vestibular therapy because of my dizziness/Vertigo issues. I haven't found that it has helped that much.

The ENT suggests seeing a neurologist and also seeing an ENT that specializes in dizziness/balance.

Has anyone else also had other symptoms/conditions with tinnitus? I am getting very anxious. My symptoms seem to settle a bit when I am doing very little. I can't continue this way. I have been off work since this started and do not know how I can go back yet. I am a teacher and the environment has all the triggers to my symptoms (me talking, visual overload, noise, hectic).

Any advice is welcome.

 

HI @Clian

The most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise. If you have been listening to music regularly through headphones or attending clubs, concerts including the cinema where sound levels are high, this could be the reason for your tinnitus. Other things can cause it too. Since you have had tests at ENT and shows there is no underlying medical condition causing the tinnitus. For now it's best that you do nothing as it will often improve with time and it can go away. Many people do habituate to tinnitus within the first 6 months to a year.

If your dizziness and balance problems continue then you should see an ENT doctor that specialises in this as it could be associated with your inner ear. If these symptoms go away I advise leaving things as they are for 6 months. If you don't habituate then the right person for you to see is a Hearing Therapist or Audiologist that specialises in the treatment and management of tinnitus. There are a variety of treatment options that can help you.

Please click on the links below and read my posts. Please pay attention to the link: Tinnitus, A Personal View. Try to read this article in full and not skim through it.

All the best
Michael


https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/is-positivity-important.23150/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-and-the-negative-mindset.23705/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/acquiring-a-positive-mindset.23969/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-ent-doctor-and-hearing-therapist.24047/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/inspiration.22894/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/can-tinnitus-counselling-help.22366/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/the-habituation-process.20767/

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/a-change-of-lifestyle.20643/

 

Hi Clian,

Sorry to hear about your recent tinnitus problems. It sounds like you are making the right decision taking time off work as noise and stress are only likely to make your tinnitus worse. Unlike a previous post I don't believe that doing nothing is the best way forward. The helplessness associated with that are only likely to make your tinnitus worse also.

It's worth exploring a number of options. For people who have only recently started suffering from tinnitus there is some evidence that HBOT (hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) has prevented their tinnitus from becoming permanent. It may not be right for you but it's worth investigating. Also there are some medications that have helped some people - melatonin for example can help with sleep if this is a problem. Clonazepam has had some impact on tinnitus loudness but as this is a "Benzo" it may not be right for you - but worth asking your GP about.

Try to reduce stress as much as possible - not easy I know - and also avoid loud noise. Hope things improve for you.

 

Hi @Michael Leigh,

Thank you so much for your very helpful response. Although I cannot link my tinnitus to any exposure to loud noise or music, I found your advice applicable to me.

My appointment with my regular ENT was disappointing and upsetting. I have seen him in the past for sinus issues and dizziness/vertigo. He basically said he had no more treatment options for me regarding my dizziness/vertigo. Two years ago when I first saw him for this, he suggested vestibular therapy (which I am doing) and suggested seeing a neurologist if symptoms continued. However, the tinnitus is something new. He didn’t ask any questions regarding the tinnitus or didn’t offer any treatment options for it...he totally ignored the tinnitus!! He asked about my symptoms and when I listed them all including headaches which fluctuate with the tinnitus his response was “I am not a headache doctor”??!!

Luckily, he is referring me to another ENT that specializes in balance/dizziness but the tinnitus and/or possible hyperacusis is just as concerning to me as well. I will definitely read through the links you provided for more guidance seeing that my ENT wasn’t able to.

 

Thank you @david c ,

Although taking the time off has been helpful, it is also frustrating! I wish I can get back to some sort of normalcy. I have more bad days then good days. I definitely think that activity (housework, driving, shopping) aggravates all my symptoms; I don’t know why. I’m not sure if there is a link between the vestibular issues and the tinnitus or if it’s a form of reactive tinnitus and/or hyperacusis .

I am currently also trying to find a tinnitus clinic that can also help me.

 

HI @Clian

I hope that you are able to get the help that you need. If you have been experiencing balance and dizziness for two years, then your doctor should have referred you to someone that specialises in this field a long time a go.

Best of luck
Michael