Pulsatile Tinnitus & Hearing Loss Goes Away with Pressure on Neck

[Ano]

Hi There,

I posted a while ago about my pulsatile tinnitus. I have had a few MRI scans scheduled, but have cancelled as I'm too anxious about them - not the smartest thing, I know...

Anyway, I've noticed recently that if I put pressure onto the side of my neck, the PT and hearing loss goes away completely. What could this mean? Does it point to anything in particular?

I'm particularly worried about acoustic neuromas and the possibility of a brain aneurysm. My grandmother had a brain aneurysm burst a few years back, and I've read that sometimes they can be hereditary.

I have decided to go to my MRI appointment next week... but I just want some advice regarding what I've found out about applying pressure.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Karen]

Hi, Ano,

I've heard that if you can press on your neck and make the pulsating stop, it's more likely to be venous in nature. Here's an article about it:
http://www.jacksonearclinic.com/pages/pitinnitus.htm

I'm glad you're going to the MRI appointment next week, just to be sure that all is well. I've had an MRI and an MRA for my pulsatile tinnitus, and nothing was found. You could ask if they could do an MRV at the same time, since they're doing an MRI anyway. That would give them a clearer picture of your head/neck, to see if there are any venous issues.

Please do let us know what the outcome of your MRI is. Hopefully, all will be well. Don't be afraid of the MRI; it's noisy, but not a problem! Just take some ear plugs along with you to the appointment.

Best wishes,
Karen

 

[Victactoria]

I have the same thing. It stops when I press on my neck! From that article it says that it should go away, I've had mine for 16 years..

 

[reeax]

Everybody thinks that it is venous in nature - and it is - but what is interesting is if a vein is a root cause or not. In my case, it seems pretty much to be on a muscular base. If you have muscular issues, it can tighten your vein(s) which in turn produces tinnitus because of an altered blood flow.

 

[Meredith0418]

Hello,
I am new to this forum but your thread caught my attention. I have suffered from pulsatile tinnitus for the past 17 years. There have been times when it is very bad (loud) and times when it seems to be much more tolerable. I have also noticed through the years that if I put pressure on my neck under my affected ear the tinnitus stops. I also occasionally see a difference in the intensity of the tinnitus when my neck is turned on a particular direction.
Long story short, I have seen many specialists, had several MRIs MRAs & CT scans. I recently had a physician see something that no other dr had found. A 'sigmoid sinus wall defect'. Are you familiar with that condition? If not, you might want to google it to see if the symptoms match what you are experiencing. If so I'd love to visit with you more about what your symptoms