Pulsatile Tinnitus Sounds Like Car Alarm

Discussion in 'Support' started by tychobrae, Apr 24, 2014.

    1. tychobrae
      Alone

      tychobrae Member

      Location:
      UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      02/2008
      Hi, I've had tinnitus for several years but have recently developed pulsatile tinnitus. The posts I've read from people with PT all describe it as a wooshing sound but mine is like a car alarm. Anyone else have this?
       
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      tychobrae, Apr 24, 2014
      #1
      Tinnitus Hub
    2. tychobrae
      Alone

      tychobrae Member

      Location:
      UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      02/2008
      Judging by the lack of replies it seems like the answer is 'no'! I've just been listening to the sounds on whooshers.com and my PT doesn't sound like any of them. It's more like a ringing, but pulsatile.

      I also just got my next ENT appointment through and it's in a month's time. I'm trying to find out as much as I can about PT before then. I know it's
      uncommon (my third 'unusual' condition, *sigh*) and now it seems that the sound I hear is unusual too. Which perhaps makes it more unlikely that I'll find a cause.

      It's so frustrating that ENT's generally seem unkowledgeable and /or uncaring about tinnitus. I spent several minutes telling the last ENT I saw - in my croaky voice which came on with the PT- all about the noise, and how long it had been there, and the pain thtt I had with it, and how difficult it was to cope with, and he wrote down THREE words - 'pulstaile tinnitus CT'. And even then he did an MRI! He took no notice at all of any of the symptoms I had.

      Sorry, rant over! What I'm actually wondering is, does anyone know how many PT sufferers there are and how many ENT consultants? I'm wondering how many PT cases any one ENT is likely to have come across.
       
      • Hug Hug x 3
      tychobrae, Apr 28, 2014
      #2
    3. Karen
      Talkative

      Karen Manager Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame Ambassador

      Location:
      U.S.
      Tinnitus Since:
      05/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      First time: Noise 2nd Time: Ototoxic drug
      Hi, @tychobrae,

      Sorry you didn't get any responses about the sound of your pulsatile tinnitus. Mine may be kind of like yours; that is, I have a high-pitched, hissing sort of ringing, plus a pulsating undercurrent that is in time with my pulse. Mine doesn't sound like whooshing, either. Right now, all I can hear is ringing. I notice the pulsating more in a very quiet environment, or when I'm trying to sleep (sigh!).

      You are very wise to try to learn as much about PT as you can before going to the doctor. The truth is, most ENT's don't know a lot about pulsatile tinnitus, and don't have the time or inclination to pursue it further when you present your symptoms. If you still have a problem with your ENT after this next appointment, my suggestion would be to try a specialist, if there is one in your area. I know that in the UK it must be difficult to schedule and wait for appointments, but that might be the best course of action for you. What type of specialist? Well, some people have had success with a neurologist or neurotologist. The main thing is (as you've probably read on Whooshers.com) to never give up! Keep pushing your case with doctors until you find one who will listen and help explore your symptoms.

      I don't know how many PT sufferers there actually are, but we PT sufferers are definitely in the minority, and that's why many doctors don't know what to do with us. On Whooshers.com, there is a form you can download entitled "Top Ten Pulsatile Tinnitus Tips for Doctors". It describes in detail what PT is, some of the possible causes, and suggestions for the types of diagnostic tests that could be administered. You might want to print out a copy and take it to your ENT doctor at your next appointment.

      I wish you well, and totally understand what you're going through, because I'm right there with you! I still haven't found a cause for my PT, either. But I'm not ready to give up just yet, and I hope you won't, either!!

      Best wishes,
      Karen
       
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      Karen, Apr 29, 2014
      #3
    4. tychobrae
      Alone

      tychobrae Member

      Location:
      UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      02/2008
      Thanks, Karen. I saw my GP today and he's great, shame he's not an ENT! He apologised for the ENT's lack of interest and he's going to try and get my next ENT appoinent brought forward and also given me some antidepressants which should also help with the pain.

      I have seen the tips.for.doctors on whooshers.com and I'll definitely be taking it with me to my appointment. The BTA also hs a good page on what tests can be done for pulsatile tinnitus and what a doctor SHOULD do at your appointment (none of which mine did) so I'll be taking that too.

      I'll keep you posted, please do the same - one of us might just have a breakthrough! Good luck! :thankyousign:
       
      • Like Like x 1
      tychobrae, Apr 29, 2014
      #4
    5. billy43
      Lucky

      billy43 Member

      Location:
      nj usa
      Tinnitus Since:
      9/28/13
      hi tychobrae.ive had my pt for about 7 months.mine also doesn't sound like a whoosh.mines more of a hissing which is in sync with my pulse.of course it gets faster with any exersion.like Karen ive had several test which came back negative.i agree with her that many times your better off seeing a neurologist instead of an Ent. good luck and don't give up. thanks billy43
       
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      billy43, Apr 30, 2014
      #5
    6. tychobrae
      Alone

      tychobrae Member

      Location:
      UK
      Tinnitus Since:
      02/2008
      It's been a struggle just to get an appointment with the ENT I wanted to see (the first was a locum). I can't imagine that I would be able to see a neurologist but I'll ask my GP if my next appointment isn't helpful.

      Thanks
       
      tychobrae, Apr 30, 2014
      #6
    7. Karen
      Talkative

      Karen Manager Staff Benefactor Hall of Fame Ambassador

      Location:
      U.S.
      Tinnitus Since:
      05/2010
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      First time: Noise 2nd Time: Ototoxic drug
      Hi, Tychobrae,

      Well, at least you've found a great GP who seems to want to help you. Maybe he'll be able to get you an appointment with a good ENT.

      Please don't give up, and keep us posted on how you're doing. It's comforting to know there are other PT sufferers on this forum. Let's stick together, and see if any of us get some answers!
       
      • Like Like x 3
      Karen, Apr 30, 2014
      #7
    8. James
      No Mood

      James Member Benefactor

      Location:
      California
      Tinnitus Since:
      Pulsing 03/2013
      Yeah the car alarm. I got the pulsing heartbeat Tinnitus. It's terrible.
      I hope the best for you tychobrae.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      James, May 4, 2014
      #8
    9. shark

      shark Member

      Location:
      Beetown, WI
      Tinnitus Since:
      2/1/2014
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      6 forced monthly shots of invega sustenna and risperidal consta
      my tinnitus is like 30 loud chimes going off every second
       
      shark, Jan 20, 2015
      #9
    10. MattH-

      MattH- Member

      Location:
      Palatine, IL
      Tinnitus Since:
      1/1/2015
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      loud music(headphones)
      hey @tychobrae , can I recommend a video that may help you?

      search "tinnitus sound therapy" on YouTube, look for the one with the shower that is looped 6 hours long(should be the first video)...try playing this in the background, maybe it can help you like it helps me sleep. I've tried alot of water running videos/sounds but this one seems to work for me and I read a comment from one guy who said he has PT and the video helps him. A small amount of people say it doesn't help at all, but it's worth a try.
       
      • Hug Hug x 1
      MattH-, Jan 20, 2015
      #10
    11. svintegrity
      No Mood

      svintegrity Member Benefactor

      Yes my PT is like a car alarm going off in my head too. It turns out that I have a vascular loop coursing into my internal meatus compressing the auditory nerve and displacing the vestibular nerve.
       
      svintegrity, Mar 25, 2015
      #11
    12. Rog

      Rog Member

      Location:
      NY and Brazil
      Tinnitus Since:
      02/2014
      :dunno:Same here :)
       
      Rog, Mar 26, 2015
      #12
    13. Gary35wxn

      Gary35wxn Member

      Tinnitus Since:
      04/2016
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Finasteride
      I have the exact same noise. Would a ct scan show this up? Svintegrity (what u have I mean)
       
      Gary35wxn, Mar 18, 2017
      #13
    14. Scared111

      Scared111 Member

      Tinnitus Since:
      6/2016
      Cause of Tinnitus:
      Unknown
      i h
      i have something similar but nothing found. ct scan mra mri ... ugh!
       
      Scared111, Mar 19, 2017
      #14

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