Ataxia and tinnitus.

[Iain_100]

I've always had tinnitus. But not bad (in fact it was so slight that I hardly noticed it most of the time), But ataxia has just made it worse. For the last few years it got worse as the day went on - just from tiredness really. And if I did too much it got really bad. But for the last few months, I've been getting it quite bad in the morning sometimes. Which has actually been a good thing. It was a kind of warning - as my balance was also much worse when the tinnitus was.

So it just meant that my lazy bones would need to go back to sleep

For the last week or so though, it's been getting quite bad all the time. And it was so bad this morning, that it actually woke me up. At flippin' 5am.

So now I'm really tired. Which just makes the tinnitus louder. Which means that it is pointless even trying to go to sleep. There's an orchestra playing in my head. And if I stick my fingers in my ears - it only gets worse.

Has anyone else noticed this? And is there a way to make it easier? And if I do have to resort to some kind of medication, what works?

Too much loud music when I was younger I reckon. Maybe that will work now (in an "if you can't beat them, join them" kind of way).

[ddmagee1]

You know what, Iain, I have the same problem! Tinnitus drives me nuts, sometimes. It seems so loud, the buzzing, at times. I don't know if Ataxia has anything to do with it or not. At work, I was exposed to loud machinery sounds, and I've listened to loud music. I have used ear plugs at work, and ear muffs and phones. I've taken the over the counter tinnitus tablets, from the pharmacy, but they don't help much, and are relatively expensive, for an old pensioner, like me. My doctor said there is a hearing aid that is designed to help with tinnitus. Perhaps you could check that out. At this time, I can't afford a hearing aid, but, perhaps, sometime in the future. As you say, if you can't beat them, join them!! Good luck.

[MusicalGardener]

Have you seen this new video? youtu.be/ICkE0uAKRAw(Not working as expected?) It discusses the relationship between auditory issues and the Ataxias. It doesn’t specifically mention tinnitus - but many people (myself included) report it as a symptom. Dr Schmahmann’s work on Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Disorder also touches on why issues with the cerebellum which cause Ataxia can cause other symptoms - for example audio/visual/cognitive - as well as just movements and coordination issues.

[wobblybee]

😐 That must be so annoying Iain. I don’t hear buzzing, more a muted ‘whoosh’.. so hard to describe 🙄 I’m diagnosed with BPPV, and have an appointment at Neuro-otology, Ear Nose & Throat Hospital, London. Maybe there’s a connection 🤔 xB

[DeniseLB]

I know I am a few days late to reply, but I too have tinnitus, but only in my left ear. When I broke my ankle back in 2017 they! forced me to stay in hospital before the op and I picked up the worse ENT I had in my life, most cleared up apart from a massive ringing in my left ear. I tried to ignore it but during my next GP appointment I mentioned that not only did my left ear hurt but I had a constant ringing and it was above what I could cope with everyday and it was greatly adding to my lack of sleep which then added to nearly driving me insane. I did not comment before as quite a lot of things about this condition do that to me. Anyway since then I went to get my audio test done and I am about to go through on 8th March my first tinnitus clinic, the two conditions I feel are not linked but the condition does effect us. I will tell you how the clinic goes and I wasn't going to mention it without this post as it is just another that can not be fixed.