Tinnitus or Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?

Guys, I need your help, can you tell me is it tinnitus or eustachian tube dysfunction?

- I have noise in my right ear for 5 months
- I developed this noise after pneumonia
- It's low hum/vibration sound (like fridge or motor engine), even if I mask the sound I can still feel vibration inside
- Hum noise is changing, sometimes it's irregular "zzzzz...zzzzzz....zzzzz" but sometimes it's constant "zzzzzzzzzzzzzz"
- After hot shower noise disappears for ~30 min
- After physical exercises noise disappears for ~30 min
- When I shake my head noise disappears for a few seconds
- When I put my finger inside my ear noise disappears for a few seconds
- Noise is the worst when I sit and lay in the bed
- Physical ear examination and audiogram results are fine

I am just asking, because my doctor told me it's tinnitus, but I think most people with tinnitus have high pitched sound in their head, I feel like my sypmtoms are physical and it's more complication of my pneumonia. However I have no idea what is it and how to cure it. I tryed antibiotics, antihistamines, nasal drops, hot sprays, muscle relaxants, magnesium, xanax, olive oil... Nothing helps.

Thank you

 

Does not sound like tinnitus. My guess would be something to do with air flow. Tell me what happens if you hold your breath?

 

If I hold my breath the noise stops, but I can't hold it like forever

 

Well it is tinnitus, by its very definition, since you hear noise when there is no external stimulus. But tinnitus is just a symptom, it's not a disease. If you can find the root cause and eradicate it then you can quite possibly get rid of tinnitus.
Also, tinnitus comes in many shapes or forms, including low pitch, mid pitch, and noise (no tone), static, morse, typewriter, etc... not just high pitch sounds (even though that's what I experience).

 

I'm learning that tinnitus is a crazy thing!

Yes, you do have tinnitus...hearing a noise that is not there is tinnitus. Now, could it be caused by Eustachian tube dysfunction? Yes, maybe.

I'm sort of in the same boat. I developed a low humming sound during an upper respitory infection. Like your tinnitus, sometimes it "pulses" (but not with my heartbeat), but mostly it's consistent. When I shake my head it disappears for a second too. However, I don't get relief from a shower or exercise. If anything it gets louder for me then. My audiogram showed a little bit of low frequency hearing loss, but nothing too bad.

Have you tried a low sodium diet? I read that can be helpful for inner ear issues and also for ETD...and let's face it, the easiest way to cut sodium is to cut processed foods, and there's not a medical professional out there who is going to say that's a bad idea.

I hope you find some relief soon!

 

It could be patulous eustachian tube

 

I agree about tinnitus definition, but when people talk about tinnitus most of them have in mind high pitched tinnitus in their heads. I just have in mind that my symptoms are a bit different. It's hard to explain to my ENT doctor.

KeyLime I will try the diet, thanks for your advice!

I just wonder if it's patulous eustachian tube why Sudafed ais not working in my case?
It should relief the pressure in my inner ear.

Take care all of you

 

Stay positive @Agnius your symptoms are very different from tinnitus. And the fact that hot shower eliminates the sound is a very promising sign. My guess raised body temperature expands something (like eustachian tube or nose canal) that is giving you the noise when the air flows.

 

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Thank you, I don't know if it's related, but I have deviated septum and I can't breath through one side of my nose, I had a surgery but it didn't help much, however I have this problem for a long time, so I am not sure if there is any connection.

P. S. I read it's possible to do sinus CT scan, my ENT doctor has never mentioned this before, maybe I should ask for it?

 

Edit : oh i see you have been to an ENT doctor. Dont hesitate to get a second opinion from a different doctor.

 

What did you write before? My doctor hasn't helped me much, I will try to find another one.

 

A lot of people have low hum tinnitus including myself. It varies in intensity. I find eating carbs can quieten it down a bit. Also saffron can help.

 

Hi @Agnius,
I think your problem could be related to the ETD.
And it should be solved if you have a myringotomy surgery (a very small perforation in the eardrum). I think your T has to do with the pressure in the middle ear, and that kind of surgery solves it.
I have a similar problem and will undergo that surgery.
Regards,

 

I have the same one. Goes away when I take a shower too for a while, although all of its friends stick around.