Sudden Onset of Pulsatile Tinnitus with Neck Pain and TMJ History

[Gwen1234]

Hi, I am looking for people in a similar situation who can offer some support or advice, please.

Pulsatile tinnitus started about three weeks ago, more or less suddenly. I am not even sure if it's in one ear or both. It is definitely very loud in my left ear, and sometimes I think I can hear it in my right ear as well.

Around the same time, I had a minor arm strain from playing tennis and have been experiencing intermittent shoulder and neck pain on the right side. My blood pressure has been elevated, and my doctor prescribed a calcium channel blocker, but it seems like the medication has made the sound worse.

The noise never fully goes away, but I can momentarily quiet it by yawning. Moving my head or jaw from side to side makes the sound louder.

I was diagnosed with TMJ years ago, but I never experienced this kind of pulsatile tinnitus before. I've also had audible ear clicking for years, which I can do voluntarily, or it happens on its own. It often feels like it releases pressure in my ears.

The doctor suggested having earwax removed, as that might be contributing to the issue, and then seeing an ENT specialist afterward.

This constant pulsing is wearing me down. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through something similar. Thank you in advance.

 

[Michael Leigh]

The doctor suggested having earwax removed, as that might be contributing to the issue, and then seeing an ENT specialist afterward.

Many things can cause tinnitus, including neck pain and the TMJ you have mentioned. You may indeed have Pulsatile tinnitus. However, if you have been listening to audio regularly through any type of headphones, even at low volume, then you might have noise-induced tinnitus. If you have attended places where loud music has been played, work in a noisy environment, or listened to loud music at home, then the risk of you having noise-induced tinnitus increases.

I agree with your doctor. If you do have impacted earwax, this should be removed. It's essential to apply olive oil eardrops to both ears three times a day for 10 days, allowing the wax to be thoroughly softened before removal. Failure to do this could increase the tinnitus when the wax is removed by irrigation or microsuction. Even if you choose to have the earwax manually removed by curette, olive oil should be applied in the method I've described.

You also need to see an ENT specialist so tests can be carried out on your ears and auditory system. Hopefully, you will get a diagnosis of what is causing your tinnitus and be advised of any treatment to help you.

Try not to sleep in a quiet room. Use low-level sound enrichment from a sound machine placed by the bedside. More is explained in my articles on my started threads. Please read: New to Tinnitus, What to Do?, Tinnitus, A Personal View.

All the best,
Michael

 

[Gwen1234]

Thanks, @Michael Leigh. I have never used headphones, but I agree this might all be related to the TMJ issue.

Thanks for the tip about ear drops—I will start using them now. I also definitely need to explore sound options for nighttime, as that is when it is at its worst.

If I wake up to go to the bathroom, getting back to sleep is almost impossible.

Thanks again for your reply.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thanks, @Michael Leigh. I have never used headphones, but I agree this might all be related to the TMJ issue.

Thanks for the tip about ear drops—I will start using them now. I also definitely need to explore sound options for nighttime, as that is when it is at its worst.

If I wake up to go to the bathroom, getting back to sleep is almost impossible.

Thanks again for your reply.

You are welcome @Gwen1234.

I think you will find the information in my articles helpful.

Best of luck,
Michael