Pulsatile Tinnitus Since January 2017, Five GPs Said I Had ETD and It Would Go Away

[Maria T. O']

Hi, I have had PT since January 2017. Five GPs told me I had ETD and it would go away. It hasn't.

Last week I had an ENT appointment with a consultant who said it may be a tumor as it's only in one day and I am waiting for an MRI scan.

Research on the internet suggests that it's probably vascular, probably serious or that it will be with me forever.

Today I have the worst day ever, so loud I don't know how I'll make it through the day. I am so stressed and worried my heart is beating really fast which isn't helping.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hi, I have had PT since January 2017. Five GPs told me I had ETD and it would go away. It hasn't. Last week I had an ENT appointment with a consultant who said it may be a tumor

If your tinnitus is caused by ETD or a tumour (usually this is benign) Your doctors will determine this with tests. Loud noise exposure is the most common cause of tinnitus. If you have been listening to music through headphones regularly or going to places were loud music is played often, loud noise could be the cause of the tinnitus.

Please click on the links below and read the articles as you might find them helpful.
Michael

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

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

 

[Tinker Bell]

My tinnitus and hearing loss is only in one ear, too. There are actually quite a few reasons why it might only impact one ear. For me, mine was caused by a virus.

Do you have hearing loss? Vertigo?

I've had several MRIs. When hearing loss is in only one ear, an MRI is usually done to rule out acoustic neuroma. That's a very rare non-cancerous condition.

I know it's hard, but try not to be anxious. Anxiety can make tinnitus worse.

 

[Maria T. O']

If your tinnitus is caused by ETD or a tumour (usually this is benign) Your doctors will determine this with tests. Loud noise exposure is the most common cause of tinnitus. If you have been listening to music through headphones regularly or going to places were loud music is played often, loud noise could be the cause of the tinnitus.

Please click on the links below and read the articles as you might find them helpful.
Michael

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

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

H, thanks for your reply. The pulsate tinnitus came out of nowhere in January. My GP has told me that I have a form of glue ear and after nasal sprays, antibiotics, inhalers finally sent me me to an ENT consultant who mentioned a turnout and MRI. The thing is that none of them seem to listen when I describe the whoosing and keep referring to it as tinnitus not pulsate tinnitus. The ENT mentioned something about her having rubbish eustsytion tubes, not sure if she was telling me I have. Today has been horrendous and I am exhausted but not looking forward to trying to sleep. Ironically most of my working day is,spent on the phone so that's going to be a challenge. My husband feels useless but today he has stocked up on omega 3,6 and 9,B vitamins and magnesium which he has read can all help. Maria

 

[Maria T. O']

My tinnitus and hearing loss is only in one ear, too. There are actually quite a few reasons why it might only impact one ear. For me, mine was caused by a virus.

Do you have hearing loss? Vertigo?

I've had several MRIs. When hearing loss is in only one ear, an MRI is usually done to rule out acoustic neuroma. That's a very rare non-cancerous condition.

I know it's hard, but try not to be anxious. Anxiety can make tinnitus worse.

Hi, thanks for your reply. My GP who has been telling me for months that I have ETD, kept mentioning a cold but I really don't remember having one. When I do interestingly I always get sinus problems on the left side, same as the PT. I have huge health related anxiety, my Dad was always in poor health so its almost a phobia so it is a big deal for me to even ask these questions but I am terrified that I either have something seriously wrong with me or that I am going to have to live with this horrible noise forever.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Hi, thanks for your reply. My GP who has been telling me for months that I have ETD, kept mentioning a cold but I really don't remember having one. When I do interestingly I always get sinus problems on the left side, same as the PT. I have huge health related anxiety, my Dad was always in poor health so its almost a phobia so it is a big deal for me to even ask these questions but I am terrified that I either have something seriously wrong with me or that I am going to have to live with this horrible noise forever.

It's always surprising just how much damage viruses can do. I had only (what I thought was) a minor cold, but it was strong enough to damage my hearing.

Try to take it one day at a time and not worry about whether it's permanent. I'm linking to @Bill Bauer, he has some wonderful stats about tinnitus recovery.

I've recently undergone a lot of medical testing due to some autoimmune concerns, so I understand medical worries too. Feel free to private message me if you need to talk!

 

[Bill Bauer]

he has some wonderful stats about tinnitus recovery.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/spontaneous-recovery-stats-over-70-recover-3-studies.21441/

 

[Karen]

Hi, @Maria T. O' ,

I have both tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus, and can truly relate to what you're going through right now. I'm afraid that a lot of ENT's out there don't know much (if anything) about pulsatile tinnitus, and keep referring to it as though it is regular tinnitus. However, it is much different!! Technically, it is vascular tinnitus. For some people, there may be a physical cause for the condition, and if it is found, PT is fixable. Don't give up, and do try to have some diagnostic tests done, such as MRI, etc. This would at least rule out any condition that needs treatment.

In my case, I had a number of tests, but no physical cause was ever found. Instead, I have been living with it. However, the good news is that mine has not gotten any worse, and in fact seems much calmer and easier to live with these days. What works best for me is distraction (keeping busy during the day), taking calming supplements such as magnesium, etc., and keeping my blood pressure under control. That has gone a long way toward making life with PT a lot easier to bear.

Time has been a great healer for me. If you do have the tests, and nothing conclusive is found, it is possible to live with PT. Many people have opted for masking hearing aids, that help mask sound. Another possibility is taking a low-dose beta blocker drug to calm the pulsating.

I wish you well, and hope you'll keep us posted on how you're doing, and what you find out.

Best wishes,
Karen

 

[Maria T. O']

It's always surprising just how much damage viruses can do. I had only (what I thought was) a minor cold, but it was strong enough to damage my hearing.

Try to take it one day at a time and not worry about whether it's permanent. I'm linking to @Bill Bauer, he has some wonderful stats about tinnitus recovery.

I've recently undergone a lot of medical testing due to someautoimmune concerns, so I understand medical worries too. Feel free to private message me if you need to talk!

Hi, @Maria T. O' ,

I have both tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus, and can truly relate to what you're going through right now. I'm afraid that a lot of ENT's out there don't know much (if anything) about pulsatile tinnitus, and keep referring to it as though it is regular tinnitus. However, it is much different!! Technically, it is vascular tinnitus. For some people, there may be a physical cause for the condition, and if it is found, PT is fixable. Don't give up, and do try to have some diagnostic tests done, such as MRI, etc. This would at least rule out any condition that needs treatment.

In my case, I had a number of tests, but no physical cause was ever found. Instead, I have been living with it. However, the good news is that mine has not gotten any worse, and in fact seems much calmer and easier to live with these days. What works best for me is distraction (keeping busy during the day), taking calming supplements such as magnesium, etc., and keeping my blood pressure under control. That has gone a long way toward making life with PT a lot easier to bear.

Time has been a great healer for me. If you do have the tests, and nothing conclusive is found, it is possible to live with PT. Many people have opted for masking hearing aids, that help mask sound. Another possibility is taking a low-dose beta blocker drug to calm the pulsating.

I wish you well, and hope you'll keep us posted on how you're doing, and what you find out.

Best wishes,
Karen

Thanks Karen, I've just arrived at work after a long night. I managed to get to sleep but the PT woke me at 3am and was so loud I honestly couldn't believe that it was coming from my head and that my husband couldn't hear it. After about and hour I yawned then swallowed and then silence?! I have developed a habit of blowing down my nose to pop my ears when the left one goes dull and as soon as I did that the PT was back just as loud. So I faked yawned and swallowed a few more times and again silence. I say silence there is a slight buzz but that's not a problem at all. A few hours on an still ok, fingers crossed it lasts. My challenge is to avoid the blowing down the nose thing which has become a habit. Waiting for MRI appt but I'm in the UK so it'll be a few weeks.

 

[Tinker Bell]

Thanks Karen, I've just arrived at work after a long night. I managed to get to sleep but the PT woke me at 3am and was so loud I honestly couldn't believe that it was coming from my head and that my husband couldn't hear it. After about and hour I yawned then swallowed and then silence?! I have developed a habit of blowing down my nose to pop my ears when the left one goes dull and as soon as I did that the PT was back just as loud. So I faked yawned and swallowed a few more times and again silence. I say silence there is a slight buzz but that's not a problem at all. A few hours on an still ok, fingers crossed it lasts. My challenge is to avoid the blowing down the nose thing which has become a habit. Waiting for MRI appt but I'm in the UK so it'll be a few weeks.

With pulsatile tinnitus, you may want to request an MRA/MRV after the initial MRI. Or an ultrasound of the carotid artery.

 

[Maria T. O']

With pulsatile tinnitus, you may want to request an MRA/MRV after the initial MRI. Or an ultrasound of the carotid artery.

Seeing my GP on Thursday so will do.

 

[Maria T. O']

If your tinnitus is caused by ETD or a tumour (usually this is benign) Your doctors will determine this with tests. Loud noise exposure is the most common cause of tinnitus. If you have been listening to music through headphones regularly or going to places were loud music is played often, loud noise could be the cause of the tinnitus.

Please click on the links below and read the articles as you might find them helpful.
Michael

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

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

If your tinnitus is caused by ETD or a tumour (usually this is benign) Your doctors will determine this with tests. Loud noise exposure is the most common cause of tinnitus. If you have been listening to music through headphones regularly or going to places were loud music is played often, loud noise could be the cause of the tinnitus.

Please click on the links below and read the articles as you might find them helpful.
Michael

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

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

Hi, thanks so much for that those articles are really interesting and I will re read them. Had a horrible night last night the worst pulsate tinnitus so loud I honestly had no idea how I was going to get through the night and felt desperate. After being awake for ages I yawned and then swallowed and no whoosing. I have developed a habit of blowing down my nose to clear the dullness/fullness in my left ear so I did that and the whoosimg came right back and was horrible. I did some fake yawning and swallowing and apart from being left with a hissing to was so quiet. I have managed not to blow down my nose today and so far no pulsating. Bit worried about bedtime but fingers crossed. Maria.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I have managed not to blow down my nose today and so far no pulsating. Bit worried about bedtime but fingers crossed. Maria.

Hopefully ENT will be able to help you once further tests are carried out....

 

[Maria T. O']

So frustrated!! Got a letter from the hospital this morning and assumed it was an appointment for the long awaited MRI but no. The ENT consultant has referred me to a hearing specialist to attend a how to live with tinnitus workshop. No!!! I have PT not tinnitus. This process is exhausting. The PT is always there but until I'm really tired I 'm learning to sort of ignore it but so want to find the cause of my ear problems ans this workshop isn't going to help. I went swimming last week and noticed that made the PT and ear fullness worse, anyone else noticed that?

 

[Blue28]

Hi, I have normal, high pitched tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus after a microsuction procedure last year. I've seen many doctors etc but no closer to finding a solution. I also have fullness in my ears. I have hearing damage in the high frequencies (severe above 12khz). It's very hard to cope with this. I hope you find some help. Please keep us posted.

 

[Maria T. O']

I finally have a date for the MRI, 10th Aug so not long. Problem is I read so much stuff now I am utterly petrified. Dr Google points to PET or even worse SCD, the stress I suspect is making the PT worse. I won't get the results till I see the ENT consultant on 8th September. I'm going to try to get an earlier appointment if I can cos we are off on holiday to Italy the next day and it's casting a horrible shadow over that.

 

[Maria T. O']

MRI showed nothing which considering it was to look for a tumour is a good thing. My appointment at the tinnitus clinic was actually really interesting. They did a test on the pressure in my ear and the result was really a normal (don't really understand the numbers) the audiologist said that my symptoms combined with the results of that test suggest to her a tiny perforation in my ear drum. She has sent the results to the ENT consultant who I see again on 8th September. The PT comes and goes but I'm sort of learning not to be scared of it and it is sometimes accompanied by a ringing tinnitus. I also can hear the bones in my neck crunch when I turn my head which is so annoying. Starting to think that I am just going to have to learn to live with this whatever it is.

 

[Karen]

Hi, @Maria T. O' ,

I've had pulsatile tinnitus since 2010, and regular tinnitus as well. When my PT first started, I experienced a lot of fullness/pressure in that ear. However, the pressure finally subsided, and feels normal again. I still have PT (with no answers after a number of tests), but I am able to live with it much better now. There is hope that you will find a cause, but, if not, your symptoms will most likely improve as time goes on.

 

[threefirefour]

Hi, @Maria T. O' ,

I've had pulsatile tinnitus since 2010, and regular tinnitus as well. When my PT first started, I experienced a lot of fullness/pressure in that ear. However, the pressure finally subsided, and feels normal again. I still have PT (with no answers after a number of tests), but I am able to live with it much better now. There is hope that you will find a cause, but, if not, your symptoms will most likely improve as time goes on.

Just to clarify for me and OP, actually improve or "improve"? Getting used to it isn't improvement but it getting quieter is.

 

[Karen]

@threefirefour

Well, I think it's a combination of getting used to it, and it becoming less turbulent. PT, at least for me, is easier to bear when it is calmer. Keeping my blood pressure under control helps, as does getting enough sleep, and keeping busy during the day.