The "Fun" Doesn't Stop...

Hello all! It's good to find a place where I'm not the only one dealing with this problem! My story is pretty simple - one day in early 2010 while studying for an exam, I heard a hissing/static-y noise in both ears. One doctor said I had Eustachian tube Dysfunction. Another said I was just recovering from a severe sinus infection (I was). However, after those issues "cleared up" (i.e., another doctor said my Eustachian Tube was just fine), I still had tinnitus! I went to a few doctors and they couldn't find a cause. So, I learned to deal with it. I could hear it if the room was otherwise silent, but other than that, it didn't interfere with my life.

Fast forward to last week (December 2016). One day at work (after working out on my lunch break), I heard the tinnitus LOUD. It was even worse at home. I now hear the hissing/static-y sound in both ears (right moreso) even while watching TV - this never happened before. I went to my primary care doctor, and she said my ears look fine. I have a hearing test next Tuesday and am seeing a new ENT on Wednesday. I really, really hope the answer isn't to "get used to it" like it was in 2010. I at least would like to get back to the pre-December 2016 tinnitus. Sigh - never thought I would be wishing for my "old" tinnitus.

I have no idea what made my tinnitus suddenly so much worse. One guess is my neighbor's yappy dog (I was once sitting right next to the window while he yapped on so much it hurt my ears), another guess is the ultrasonic anti-bark device my fiance set up to deal with the yappy dog (but it's been off for a week) - but I know it could just be "luck" of the draw. I do have a clicking sound in my jaw, but I've had that for years and no associated pain, so I doubt it. Tinnitus, I do not like you and your mysterious ways.

Anyway, hello everyone!

 

Welcome to the forum. There are many causes which can trigger or aggravate tinnitus including but not limited to drug reaction or side-effects, ear or Eustachian tube infection, ear drum injury, fluid build-up feeling pressured, TMJ, high blood pressure or blood circulation problem, loud noise exposure or acoustic trauma, head trauma & injury, neck problems, hearing loss, Meniere's, barotrauma from flight, grief for the loss of loved ones, untreated sleep apnea, elevated stress, anxiety & panic disorder, etc. There has even been talk of excessive masturbation causing T. So there are quite a lot of things we may not be aware that can kick T into another level. If the doctors rule out any medical reasons, then try to wait it out a bit to see if the ears will settle back to base line. You can also consider diet or life style changes to see if that help.

Members often advise taking some supplements to help, such as Magnesium, Zinc, B12 etc., and reducing intake of salt, sugar, MSG, caffeine, alcohol etc. or to switch to more healthy diet. Often doing relaxing exercises or hobbies can ease the stress and anxiety from T which can help reduce T. If you can enjoy the outdoors, by all means go for it. Mindfulness meditation, yoga, tai chi etc. can all help and are good for the body. Take care. God bless.

 

I also got a spike and the exact same diagnosis as you three weeks ago that you got in 2010. ETD then sinus infection... But I'm pretty positive it was from acoustic trauma... Heh. Since I'm still three weeks in I'm also hoping my T goes down to the levels it was before.

Do you notice the tone / sounds changing at all?

I hope you enjoy your stay and that it is brief (because you recover)!

 

"Lucky" us - ha! The tone/sounds stay the same; it's just the volume that has changed. Hoping to get good news/advice from my ENT next week. Hopefully your noises get better as well! T is so frustrating.

 

Hi Venusa,

Welcome aboard.

It's hard to pinpoint the cause of the extra volume in your tinnitus, but perhaps it could have been triggered by a pulled muscle or nerve when you were working out or even stress, poor sleeping habits, or holiday season anxiety could also be possible culprits.

Hopefully, the volume will abate for you shortly! Best of luck!

 

Put some olive oil drops in your ears till go ENT just in case they find any wax as it will make it easier to get out...lots of love glynis

 

Thank you all! I woke up today and my T was slightly better. Maybe it's just the heavy rain distracting my brain, but it's good to have some reduction!

 

Hi Venusa,

Was loud music during this work out? Or were wearing some earbuds with some loud music?

 

Hi Themoon,

I was listening to a podcast with my wireless (bluetooth) Beats headphones. They are the big over-the-head ones. (They go over my ears instead of in them.) I've wondered if that could be the aggravating factor, but I've been using them since May. Maybe build-up over time? I hope not because they make getting in shape a lot easier.

 

In my opinion, anyone that has tinnitus shouldn't use headphones even at low volume. It is true that some people with tinnitus are not affected by headphone use. Tinnitus can be a very distressing condition when it's loud and intrusive and therefore, I can't understand why someone would want to take such a risk of listening to audio through headphones.
Michael

 

Micheal, I didn't know that, but it certainly makes sense. My ears (and overall head) did feel a bit compressed after wearing them after a particularly long/intense cardio session.

 

@Venusa I have counselled many people with tinnitus in distress due to listening to music through headphones at low volumes. Some ENT Drs tell tinnitus patients listening to music through headphones is fine as long as the volume is low. These ENT drs know all about the anatomy of the ear and can treat it medically or surgically. However, the majority of them have never experienced loud intrusive tinnitus and therefore, know nothing about it.
Michael

 

Hey Venusa-
I was wondering the same thing about loud music in general and earbuds. I exercise quite a bit a few days a week I spin and the music is LOUD...should I wear ear plugs or just stop going? I also run with earbuds. The other times the music is just background. hmmmm. But if loud music is a culprit (and I certainly did my share of heavy metal concerts as a kid) why don't more people suffer? Or are we just the lucky chosen ones that are prone this?
Just wondering.

 

@mgstarr100

I think we just get to be "lucky." I'm leaning toward earbuds being worse since they put the noise directly into the ear, but I'm not sure. It's also frustrating to think of T getting in the way of exercise (well, at least how we chose to exercise). Man.

Shifting topics - I have my hearing test tomorrow (followed by ENT appointment the next day). Let's hope for some answers!

 

@Venusa Some people with tinnitus have no problems listening to music through headphones while others do. It is an individual choice. I believe when tinnitus is caused by loud noise a person shouldn't listen to music through any type of earphone even at low volumes.
Michael

 

I just completed my hearing test, which consisted of (prepare for super unscientific terminology): (1) a test where they put a device in each ear that chimed to determine the health of my ear drum + inner ear hair, (2) chime test using headphones, (3) word test where I had to repeat words said at different volumes, (4) word test where I had to repeat words said at the same volume but with an ocean-y sound playing out of the earpiece of the ear not being test, and (5) chime test using a device that was applied to the back of my head.

The verdict? Hearing is "perfect." Tomorrow I see the ENT to see what else could be causing the T. I'm beginning to suspect my TMJ, even though it's pretty mild.

 

Your story gives me deja vu. Get ready to be thrown around to multiple doctors who have no idea how to help you, then finally to be sent to the tinnitus "specialists" who won't be covered by insurance. Then they will start trying to sell you the really expensive "treatments". After you have spent a few thousand dollars you will realize that it's time to habituate on your own.

 

@Tyler Montgomery It's deja-vu for me too from when I first developed tinnitus (except without the sinus infection + ETD talk this time).

The audiologist did recommend a free app called Resound Relief, so let's see if that helps.