Tinnitus Following Tooth Extraction

[Hockeybik]

I've experienced a low level tinnitus in both ears for years, I'm not even sure how many but more than 20. It was just there a low hum and not worth fretting over. Hearing tests were pretty much normal, with a small hearing loss in my right, but again, not a handicap, simply a bit annoying and I've learned to live with it.

About a month ago, I had a tooth pulled. The last molar on the lower right side. It was simple and uncomplicated, just yanked it out. Almost as soon as the anesthesia wore off, my right ear was screaming with a high pitch whine. I can no longer discern language in the right ear. Voices sound like Charlie Brown's teacher.

The ENT guy says it's not related to the tooth extraction, it's coincidence and I'm not buying it. Too many people on this forum and other places report similar start of tinnitus after some sort of dental work or trauma.

Anyway, at this point... I'm looking for possible causes and possible solutions. The meds so far have been worthless.

 

[Marie79]

I am so terribly terribly terribly sorry. I had to have a tooth extraction after T and I was so freaked out by it thinking it would make it worse that I went to like 3 dental surgeons asking for opinions. Almost none had definitive knowledge about tooth extractions but they said it could make it worse but they were not sure. They ALL said however that the lower teeth have more nerves that connect to things. Mine didn't make it worse.

It could have been the anesthesia though.

 

[lesmurdie]

Hi Hockeybik, Same thing happened to me, I had 3 teeth extracted and my normal tinnitus went very quiet, like it had gone into shock and was hiding, About a week after I experienced my worst tinnitus ever, and a year later still suffering, Countless visits to Doctors Dentists hearing specialists, no one knows . I am now taking Avanza and sleeping pills sometimes. This experience has ruined my life.

 

[Hockeybik]

Hi Hockeybik, Same thing happened to me, I had 3 teeth extracted and my normal tinnitus went very quiet, like it had gone into shock and was hiding, About a week after I experienced my worst tinnitus ever, and a year later still suffering, Countless visits to Doctors Dentists hearing specialists, no one knows . I am now taking Avanza and sleeping pills sometimes. This experience has ruined my life.

Wow! Lesmurdie, so sorry to hear. I then should consider myself lucky at this point. I'm not having much problem sleeping as long as I find the right position and if I have a radio playing the tinnitus is still there but more background. Still getting used to it. I have a friend who asked his audiologist about tooth extraction and hearing issues and she said, "Oh, sure. Many times that happens." I live in Thailand, I go to a decent Western type private hospital and both doctors I've seen, an ENT guy and an internist (residency in America) said, "No, no connection to pulling the tooth." Maybe it will ease with time, so far not.

Hope yours turns around for you Les, all the best.

 

[Hockeybik]

I am so terribly terribly terribly sorry. I had to have a tooth extraction after T and I was so freaked out by it thinking it would make it worse that I went to like 3 dental surgeons asking for opinions. Almost none had definitive knowledge about tooth extractions but they said it could make it worse but they were not sure. They ALL said however that the lower teeth have more nerves that connect to things. Mine didn't make it worse.

It could have been the anesthesia though.

Marie, you're lucky. I never even thought of my ears before I had the tooth removed. The tooth hurt, the dentist said there was only a small chance he could save it even if he worked on it, it was the last one in the back on the bottom and I thought, "well, that's probably the best one to go missing so go ahead, yank it out." It was about a 30 second decision. I never expected this. It's been one month, maybe over time it will improve. So far, no. Take care.

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi Hockeybik,

Looking at your circumstance from a different angle, is there any chance you could take legal action against the individual who extracted your tooth on the grounds of pain and suffering?

 

[Hockeybik]

Thanks for the thought, Mike but answer is really no. First off I'm a foreigner living in Thailand. Which would not be friendly to that type of suit brought by a "rich" (all foreigners are rich, I'm not) against a poor Thai dentist. If you know what I mean. Second, I really have no reason to believe any negligence on the part of the dentist. No way he could foresee a problem and he didn't botch anything. The extraction was entirely routine and I healed up in a couple days. Finally, I'd spend more money trying to get something than it might be worth. It is just bad luck that that particular tooth had nerves that were connected to some other nerves that somehow connected to that ear.

The tinnitus has been pretty constant since it came on and does not seem to be better or worse. As long as it doesn't get worse, I'll live with it. If it gets better, I'll consider myself blessed. Maybe time will help. Thanks again, best to you... Vic

 

[lesmurdie]

Hi Hockeybik, Thanks for your kind words, I actually had 3 teeth put straight in after my extractions, not a good move methinks. My dentist also had not heard of any connection with tinnitus and dental work!! I have read so much since and realise it can happen. Actually when I wrote my post I was feeling very down,but now I feel much better and able to cope, it could be the Avanza which is an antidepressant that is a generic name correct name is Mirtrapazine or something similar, and is suppose to be the anti D for tinnitus sufferers.I have had tinnitus for years and I did habituate for years but unhabituated when I retired, maybe not busy enough.
Hope you improve, from Christine (Lesmurdie)