Tinnitus in only one ear?

[hennery]

Hello BTA!

I thought I had stress induced tinnitus due to workload over the last two years. After trying to reduce stress & attend counselling. I have only just been to the doctor for help & he said that it's not possible to get stress induced tinnitus in only one ear...?!

I have started taking 8mg of Betahistine Dihydrochloride tablets but would prefer to be drug free & solve the cause!!

Thanks for any advice you can offer me?

[Neal2017]

Hi Hennery,

I too have tinnitus in just one ear - or really one side as to be honest the sound is more in my head than ear!

I would ask your GP to refer you to an Ear, nose & throat clinic and go from there, they can then at least carry out hearing tests and examinations to determine what’s going on - I was also referred for an Mri scan by the ENT clinic.

The final conclusion in my case is that tinnitus was induced by hearing loss which I am hoping will be helped by a hearing aid / masker which I am waiting for.

I would certainly press the GP to get a referral and at least avoid taking anything that’s not necessary - Hope this is useful and you finally manage to get some relief from the tinnitus.

best

Neal

[Hidden]

does the Betahistine Dihydrochloride help? Mine is mostly one ear and sometimes both.

[Jimmuck]

Hi Hennery,

Tinnitus is such a fickle beast as I have discovered so who knows if your doctor is right or wrong! All I know is that stress and anxiety make the condition much worse so do anything you can to try and keep calm as it really helps keep it at bay. I have had T for several months now in both ears and I am still on a learning curve myself. I am also on medication which helps me sleep and thank goodness too, as without them, I think I would be pacing the floor all night. I would ask your GP for a referral to ENT at your local hospital as they will be able to carry out tests and perhaps offer you some practical help and advice. Good luck with whatever course of action you take and try not to let it get you down.

[hennery]

Wow thanks everyone for your replies!

I think I was just really surprised that the doctor didn't send me for further investigation or a hearing test.. Maybe I should give the tablets a month & record any results, then push him for further investigation?

It's no cure, but it really helps to have reassurance from you all out there!

[Neal2017 in reply to hennery]

Hi Hennery,

I second Jimmuck totally - Searching your medication ‘Betahistine Dihydrochloride’ online suggests it is used for treating vertigo or people diagnosed with menieres disease rather than just tinnitus.

Hope you manage to see get a referral to an ENT specialist.

I must say the BTA and this forum are an invaluable source of info and help. When I think my own tinnitus is particularly bad a quick read through the posts reminds me that there are others with many more problems than myself.

best

Neal

[NicBTA Partner]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum. Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here:

tinnitus.org.uk

takeontinnitus.co.uk

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

Tinnitus can be in one ear, both ears, move from ear to ear, be at the top of the head ... anywhere really. Your GP - to be blunt - is wrong. In fact, one sided tinnitus is usually a flag for further investigation, so perhaps next time you see your GP, go armed with tinnitus.org.uk/guidance-fo... and ask for a referral to audiology.

Betahistine can be helpful if you have dizziness or vertigo with your tinnitus, but these days it's not generally thought to be effective on tinnitus (but it won't be harmful).

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)