nj4beatles
04-30-2004, 10:43 AM
Anyone that can provide some advice or support would be greatly appreciated.
I've been suffering from a loud ringing in both ears for the last month. It seems to have started with a plane ride where my ears did not pop on descent. I felt a pain in the left ear as the plane landed.
Went to GP who prescribed amoxycillin thinking it was an infection (I am prone to sinus trouble). Didn't work. About a week into that the ringing started. GP then prescribed Omnicef - again thinking it was an infection. The second week the ringing got louder.
Had CT scan on sinuses, but all ok. GP suggested neurologist to rule out any neurological problems - all ok. Two ENT's told me to live with the ringing and play the radio to help me sleep. Went to dentist - says it's not TMJ although I do wear a nightguard for grinding.
At this point I'm at a loss. The noise can be tolerated during the day, but night sleep is next to impossible without some Tylenol PM and radio.
I should also add that the ENT didn't see any fluid and hearing test came back normal, with some loss in the higher range.
In addition to tinnitus I am getting a popping sound in both ears when I swallow. Don't know if this is related but the ENT seems to think it is allergies. (Have been using Rhinocort for two weeks with some improvement in the popping, but not ringing).
I've read that Xanax can help alleviate the anxiety and help me cope, has anyone experienced anything like this?
I've been suffering from a loud ringing in both ears for the last month. It seems to have started with a plane ride where my ears did not pop on descent. I felt a pain in the left ear as the plane landed.
Went to GP who prescribed amoxycillin thinking it was an infection (I am prone to sinus trouble). Didn't work. About a week into that the ringing started. GP then prescribed Omnicef - again thinking it was an infection. The second week the ringing got louder.
Had CT scan on sinuses, but all ok. GP suggested neurologist to rule out any neurological problems - all ok. Two ENT's told me to live with the ringing and play the radio to help me sleep. Went to dentist - says it's not TMJ although I do wear a nightguard for grinding.
At this point I'm at a loss. The noise can be tolerated during the day, but night sleep is next to impossible without some Tylenol PM and radio.
I should also add that the ENT didn't see any fluid and hearing test came back normal, with some loss in the higher range.
In addition to tinnitus I am getting a popping sound in both ears when I swallow. Don't know if this is related but the ENT seems to think it is allergies. (Have been using Rhinocort for two weeks with some improvement in the popping, but not ringing).
I've read that Xanax can help alleviate the anxiety and help me cope, has anyone experienced anything like this?
Sponsor
microwave
05-08-2004, 11:50 PM
I have had tinnitus for 6 years, so I feel your pain!
I also have a nightguard for bruxism, but my tinnitus started before the grinding. The nightguard has not made any difference for me.
I have had a full audiological evaluation and have had CT scans, MRIs, you name it. I also have a slight loss in the upper frequencies in one ear. Besides that, nothing is wrong.
I also have allergies, but my medications haven't helped either. But - have you tried some type of antihistamine? That should help dry up the fluid in your ears.
The thing that caused my tinnitus was an anti-anxiety drug: Wellbutrin. Apparently tinnitus is not an uncommon side effect for it. Recently, I was on Effexor (for anxiety and depression) and we had to go up on my levels of it. sure enough, we went up and my tinnitus got louder. I must emphasize that my tinnitus being caused my these types of medications is somewhat atypical.
I don't suggest getting on any drugs for your tinnitus. Although it's hard to believe it right now, you do get used to it. I can go through a whole day (or a few days) without even thinking about it. I notice it for a minute, then immediately ignore it again! I rarely think about it anymore - and mine is LOUD!!
I always go to bed with the TV on, to drown out the noise. I'm thinking about getting a white noise machine or one of those things that plays ocean waves, jungle sounds, etc., to cover the noise. Other than that, all I can say is that you really will get used to it and it won't bother you. For now, just be in loud environments and try to ignore it. I swear you will get used to it in a few months. Hang in there!
I also have a nightguard for bruxism, but my tinnitus started before the grinding. The nightguard has not made any difference for me.
I have had a full audiological evaluation and have had CT scans, MRIs, you name it. I also have a slight loss in the upper frequencies in one ear. Besides that, nothing is wrong.
I also have allergies, but my medications haven't helped either. But - have you tried some type of antihistamine? That should help dry up the fluid in your ears.
The thing that caused my tinnitus was an anti-anxiety drug: Wellbutrin. Apparently tinnitus is not an uncommon side effect for it. Recently, I was on Effexor (for anxiety and depression) and we had to go up on my levels of it. sure enough, we went up and my tinnitus got louder. I must emphasize that my tinnitus being caused my these types of medications is somewhat atypical.
I don't suggest getting on any drugs for your tinnitus. Although it's hard to believe it right now, you do get used to it. I can go through a whole day (or a few days) without even thinking about it. I notice it for a minute, then immediately ignore it again! I rarely think about it anymore - and mine is LOUD!!
I always go to bed with the TV on, to drown out the noise. I'm thinking about getting a white noise machine or one of those things that plays ocean waves, jungle sounds, etc., to cover the noise. Other than that, all I can say is that you really will get used to it and it won't bother you. For now, just be in loud environments and try to ignore it. I swear you will get used to it in a few months. Hang in there!
lib
05-09-2004, 11:28 AM
hi,
i also have tinnitus and popping, and a lot of other terrible ear symptoms, it all started late last summer, after a bunch of tests a bunch of dr.s i was finally diagnosed with patulous eustachian tubes, not what you want to develope, if there is no fluid stay away from the drying meds as it will only make things worse, trust me, i was treated by several dr.s for this and it made it all much worse. where do you live? lib
i also have tinnitus and popping, and a lot of other terrible ear symptoms, it all started late last summer, after a bunch of tests a bunch of dr.s i was finally diagnosed with patulous eustachian tubes, not what you want to develope, if there is no fluid stay away from the drying meds as it will only make things worse, trust me, i was treated by several dr.s for this and it made it all much worse. where do you live? lib
nj4beatles
05-12-2004, 10:47 AM
Thanks Microwave. It's nice to know that somebody else out there knows what I'm going through.
FrJackHackett
05-13-2004, 06:58 AM
I have had constant tinnitus in my left ear for nine years. It takes the form of a very high pitched squeal with occasional periods of sound an octave lower. There is occasional tinnitus in my right ear but it is very intermittent.
It started more or less suddenly following a bad bout of influenza in 1995, although the connection is just a guess. I have always had trouble with a seasonal blocked nose, and the tinnitus is definitely more intrusive at those times. Contrary to what I have read, having coffee or aspirin has no effect, but having a couple of brandies, as I do every Thursday night, does seem to mildly increase it for a few hours.
Hearing tests are fine. My hearing is very acute for my age (56) with a very small dip at one frequency, presumably that of the tinnitus, for my left ear. I still hear things other people in the house cannot, so I am not unduly worried about my hearing. Curiously, my tinnitus has never really stressed me as I have taught myself to ignore it. If your tinnitus takes the form of sudden popping, gurgling and so on, then I can understand the sleep problem. However, I find a constant high frequency has a rather soothing effect on me at night and I have never experienced sleep difficulties.
I spend a lot of time playing the piano, writing music and listening to it. Perhaps that has something to do with the tolerance I have so far been able to apply.
It started more or less suddenly following a bad bout of influenza in 1995, although the connection is just a guess. I have always had trouble with a seasonal blocked nose, and the tinnitus is definitely more intrusive at those times. Contrary to what I have read, having coffee or aspirin has no effect, but having a couple of brandies, as I do every Thursday night, does seem to mildly increase it for a few hours.
Hearing tests are fine. My hearing is very acute for my age (56) with a very small dip at one frequency, presumably that of the tinnitus, for my left ear. I still hear things other people in the house cannot, so I am not unduly worried about my hearing. Curiously, my tinnitus has never really stressed me as I have taught myself to ignore it. If your tinnitus takes the form of sudden popping, gurgling and so on, then I can understand the sleep problem. However, I find a constant high frequency has a rather soothing effect on me at night and I have never experienced sleep difficulties.
I spend a lot of time playing the piano, writing music and listening to it. Perhaps that has something to do with the tolerance I have so far been able to apply.
nj4beatles
05-15-2004, 09:52 PM
Yes, I've found that playing guitar helps keep my mind off of the ringing.
Perhaps we could get a band together - you on piano, me on guitar and the ringing in our ears as the chorus. :)
Perhaps we could get a band together - you on piano, me on guitar and the ringing in our ears as the chorus. :)
nj4beatles
05-15-2004, 09:58 PM
Hi Lib,
I live in New Jersey. The ENT's have eliminated any fluid but my allergies are really messing me up this year.
Hearing tests indicate some loss in the high end which may be the cause of the tinnitus. I'm finding that most docs just don't know enough about the onset or the cause to offer a solution other than "get used to it".
So, that's what I'll have to do and try to eliminate the things in my life that cause it to get worse.
Thanks for responding. Hope you are feeling better.
I live in New Jersey. The ENT's have eliminated any fluid but my allergies are really messing me up this year.
Hearing tests indicate some loss in the high end which may be the cause of the tinnitus. I'm finding that most docs just don't know enough about the onset or the cause to offer a solution other than "get used to it".
So, that's what I'll have to do and try to eliminate the things in my life that cause it to get worse.
Thanks for responding. Hope you are feeling better.
microwave
05-17-2004, 11:53 PM
Generally, there isn't much that can be done about it except to get used to it. Bummer. You can do some hearing retraining, which teaches you to ignore it. But, you'll learn to ignore it after time anyway. They also have a masker, which is a sound at the same frequency of the tinnitus, that can be put in a hearing aid. But some people say that doesn't work well.
So, the doctors aren't crazy, there just isn't much we can do about the tinnitus now except to learn to ignore it. The good thing is that you will learn!
So, the doctors aren't crazy, there just isn't much we can do about the tinnitus now except to learn to ignore it. The good thing is that you will learn!
BobH
05-19-2004, 06:40 AM
I have had the constant rining--1st in lt left ear and then to a certain degree in thr right ear for 5 years. As other sufferers have indicated, doctors seem somewhat baffled by the causes or the possible remedies which seem harder to find.
The various specialists I have met have said that it is likely caused by problems with the auditory nerve that might have begun with the use of antibiotics or medication taken for enlarged prostate. Sometimes a tumor or polyp on the nerve can be the cause also but in my case this was ruled out thru exrays.
I have tried the various herbal treatments also to no avail but as some other posts have indicated, it's amazing how you get used to it--although initially if you dwell on it it is quite frustrating.
All the best to each of you.
Ringing in Chicago
The various specialists I have met have said that it is likely caused by problems with the auditory nerve that might have begun with the use of antibiotics or medication taken for enlarged prostate. Sometimes a tumor or polyp on the nerve can be the cause also but in my case this was ruled out thru exrays.
I have tried the various herbal treatments also to no avail but as some other posts have indicated, it's amazing how you get used to it--although initially if you dwell on it it is quite frustrating.
All the best to each of you.
Ringing in Chicago
sheryl555
05-24-2004, 06:55 AM
:wave:
I also understand perfectly. I suffer allergies and when it is allergy time I am especially prone to the high pitched ringing.
A small fan by the bed helps distract the sound, creating "white sound". I have also noticed that sodium will make the problem worse. Recently, I had something with kalamata olives in it, I love them but boy did it heighten the problem. Try laying off sodium and see if it helps.
The other thing I do truly is try to focus on something else. It is when things are very quiet and still that is the problem, other than that I just try to focus on something else and it does work.
Good luck
I also understand perfectly. I suffer allergies and when it is allergy time I am especially prone to the high pitched ringing.
A small fan by the bed helps distract the sound, creating "white sound". I have also noticed that sodium will make the problem worse. Recently, I had something with kalamata olives in it, I love them but boy did it heighten the problem. Try laying off sodium and see if it helps.
The other thing I do truly is try to focus on something else. It is when things are very quiet and still that is the problem, other than that I just try to focus on something else and it does work.
Good luck