Unusual Pulsatile Tinnitus That Reacts to Sound

[Jean-Philippe]

Just to summarize:

My tinnitus onset was nine years ago. I habituated, and it was no longer a problem.

Three weeks ago, I experienced ear pressure, sound distortion, and a flare-up.

Most of those symptoms have improved. There is still a bit of ear pressure left.

What worries me now, and this is strange, is a weird pulsatile tinnitus that reacts to sound. In silence, I think it follows my heartbeat, but when I am around a steady noise, like a fridge, it turns into a humming sound. The humming stops when my girlfriend speaks.

I am considering possible causes such as Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), middle ear myoclonus (MEM), or possibly a bit of hyperacusis.

Has anyone else experienced something similar?

Thank you.

 

[SueX]

I have a similar experience. When I hear noise, my right ear processes it normally, but my left ear—the one worse from a tinnitus perspective—registers the sound and then adds a prolonged "SSSSSSSSSSSS" noise, like a snake or an electrical sound, after every incoming sound.

I have been diagnosed with Eustachian tube dysfunction. I don't have a treatment plan yet, but perhaps you could get tested by a specialist audiologist for ETD?

 

[Jean-Philippe]

I have a similar experience. When I hear noise, my right ear processes it normally, but my left ear—the one worse from a tinnitus perspective—registers the sound and then adds a prolonged "SSSSSSSSSSSS" noise, like a snake or an electrical sound, after every incoming sound.

I have been diagnosed with Eustachian tube dysfunction. I don't have a treatment plan yet, but perhaps you could get tested by a specialist audiologist for ETD?

@SueX, is it like when watching TV or having a conversation, where the dialogue or speech stops and then starts again?

 

[Chezten]

I have this as well.

Originally, I had tinnitus for eight years. Then clicking started in my head and ears.

Now I have a constant pulsating sound, 24 hours a day, that syncs with my heartbeat. If I walk quickly, the sound speeds up. It resembles a metallic refrigerator hum.

Strangely, it also matches the rhythm and speed of my thoughts or speech. It is very unsettling. It even seems to mimic surrounding sounds.

Could this be somatosensory tinnitus?

I tried using a hearing aid, but I did not feel it helped much. Unfortunately, things have only gotten worse.

Chezten