Anyone have tinnitus ?

[Calceolaria]

Does anyone have tinnitus which seems to be connected to their back or neck pain? I have been told there isn't a connection but I didn't start with tinnitus til I hurt my back/neck. It worsens with activity and increased pain. Very annoying to say the least!

[teadrinker]

YES!!!! I have upper shoulder pain and some problems with the vertebra in my neck, also some extra ribs at the top of my rib cage. My head is a bit out of alignment with my body. I noticed the tinnitus years ago but didn't take much notice as it wasn't too bad (although have been known to look for the "phone" that was "ringing"). I'd been to ENT to have a hearing test & that was fine so didn't think much of it. Then a few months ago I got a really noisy, loud high pitched whistle in my right ear (the side that isn't painful). The GP said there was nothing wrong with my ears and nothing they could do about the tinnitus.

It was irritating for a bit then went away, and comes back sometimes. (If I think about it I can hear it now but when I'm busy I can block it out) It depends on what position I put my head in as to whether I can hear it. Also more noticeable if tired or in pain, or if having a migraine. I've started having physio recently so it might be that's helping.

The RNID (they have changed their name recently and I can't remember what they're called now) have some helpful info on their website which might put your mind at rest. There are things you can do to help but there is no magic cure. But some good tips for dealing with it at night, and stories from other sufferers and how they dealt with it.

My mum has had it very badly in both ears for years following a virus but says she has learned to cope with it and it's just a part of her now. I think knowing that has helped me deal with it.

It might be worth just getting a GP to look in your ears to make sure it's not wax though (I had that problem once, put off seeing the doctor and made matters a lot worse!!)

Hope this helps

[Calceolaria]

Thanks Teadrinker. I have had all the ENT neuro tests and I was assured that there was nothing sinister going on. This was because at times, the tinnitus was pulsing. I do just get on with it and have come to accept it as another addition to my life. Over the two years I have had it, it has faded somewhat. However I am certain it is neck related and I just wondered if any of the experts on here had made a similar connection.

Thanks again!

[Boozybird]

Could an osteopath help? But don't let them 'crack' your neck as there is some debate that it can cause a stroke! Best wishes.

[teadrinker in reply to Boozybird]

I had osteopathy a few years ago - he was quite clear that osteopaths don't "crack" necks, in fact he said it was chiropractors who did that (that's his opinion, before all the chiropractors write in). It didn't help my pain in my case, I'm not sure that it changed the tinnitus, but it might work for other people.

[Hidden]

I get tinnitus but its the result of wearing audio headphones in my ears while I was a medical secretary. I rarely notice it, nor focus on it because its just one of those things.

Relaxation may help you cope better.

[Calceolaria]

Oh I cope pretty well with it now, mostly don't even notice it but I wondered if anyone on here had it via back/neck pain. Just a theory of mine!

Thanks Zanna

[Calceolaria]

Thanks boozybird but I shan't be parting with any more money to osteopaths. I think over time I put two of their kids through Uni !

[johnsmith]

I can give myself Tinnitus anytime I like by doing something with the muscles in my jaw. So it may possible that many people with tinnitus are doing something with particular muscles. This needs to be checked for by someone who has experience in working with muscle tensions.

At this point I do not know who to reccommend

[docnai]

i was once told that it was aspirin that caused my tinnitus, and i swear i can sometimes feel it at the back of head top of neck area which is continuous, i also get another whistling sound in my right ear, does anyone else have this?....take care

[Calceolaria]

That's interesting John. The pitch of my tinnitus can definitely be intensified by pushing my lower jaw forward. There's a name for this but damned if I can remember! In any event, it's not dangerous, it's just that it landed on me shortly after my neck injury. I know it can't be treated, only coped with and there is a variety of techniques to help but which I no longer need as it has faded somewhat.

Thanks everyone.

[FallenAngel83 in reply to Calceolaria]

Hello Calceolaria, hope you are doing ok? I have the same thing where when I push my lower jaw out & forward, it makes my current tinnitus worse. Hope you are doing ok x

[Hidden]

Nice to know that I'm not going mad, or imagining it, but all everyone says on this thread ring's so true (no pun intended) for I know the jaws start it up and (I think ) certain movements, but I do wonder if it could also be side effects of certain nerve painkilling drug's, as I notice it get's really worse when I was taking (on a daily basis) pregabalin or Gabapentin that's if I missed a dose that is, but it's giving me so much trouble and pain in my left ear sometimes, but after reading some of the post's I now know it's something that there is no magic cure for this constant nnnnnnoise and hissssssing..