Tinnitus on both ears with different noises?

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone else has a tinnitus that comes and goes in one ear, giving a vibrating noise, almost as if the ear is fluttering/contracting? Mine is very inconsistent and when it comes, I’m completely dependent on brown noise sound machines to cope with it. The right ear gives a soft ringing sound which, albeit constant, is way easier to deal with. The left ear noise usually comes suddenly at night and goes by the morning, but there are days, like today where the noise persist the next day. First time I got it in April it lasted 10 days! No one seems to understand and I’m worried about the fact that doctors specialized in this, seem so puzzled too. A “likely” diagnosis I got was an inner ear pressure disorder caused by a herpes virus (I had shingles as a child which is very unusual and Bell’s Palsy, a temporary face paralysis, on the right side of my face when I was 20) - I’m 30 now. I was giving a high dose of anti virals and serc-16 which I’m thinking about quitting after I’ve had many more spikes since taking them 2 weeks ago (2 weeks to go). Any advise on vibrating/fluttering one sided tinnitus that comes and goes would be much appreciated! Doctors don’t think it’s Middle ear myoclonus (MEM). Scans were fine but hearing tests showed my left ear muscle reflex was non-respondent and I have a low frequency sensitivity on the left and high frequency sensitivity on the right. Emissions were only satisfactory. No hearing loss as such.

Best,

Alex

[1966366]

Hiya, I get exactly the same thing in my left ear. It's an actual sensation of rumbling and contracting. But I also have bilateral T and a constant form that moves around the head. Initially I had an MRI scan to check that it was not a tumour and prescribed Serc-16, but it made the T worse and I had to stop. This was 18 months ago and I have (last week) done another trial of Serc-16, and yet again, it made the T worse. Perhaps it just doesn't work for me? Nor you! Moreover, the length of spikes in the left ear are increasing, regularly lasting days and becoming similar to the constant T in the right ear, which is just a bit more bearable.

Regards

[Hidden in reply to 1966366]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you also have this variant, but I’m glad it’s nothing too serious for you and that the sound is becoming more similar on both sides. Is there anything else than the meds you think might have caused more spikes recently? I would have hoped that when stopping the meds the T would also mend. Have you tried any other meds or is there a reason they only prescribe this for you? I know serc is used to treat inner ear disorders, did you get a final diagnosis as to what your cause might be?

Best,

Alex

[1966366 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Alex,Maybe I didn't explain myself correctly. It is a real problem the left ear. Whereas it was infrequent episodes of distress, now it is very much constant. I have tried Cinnarizine, Arlevert and Clonazepam. Only the last one was helpful in the beginning but gradually the doses needs to be increased to attain the same effect and the doctor stopped the treatment. Finally, regarding spikes; I recently had four days in London partying and eating poorly with very little sleep and the T stayed at the same level. Then I returned to the gym, resumed eating healthy and took better care of myself and I had a awful spike which lasted a so many days that I lost count! So there is no rhyme or reason to it. For me at least.

[Hidden in reply to 1966366]

I’m sorry to hear that! I hope it gets better with time. I’m hesitant to take too many medications - everyone is different but something I’ve realised is that if you take care of the bits you can control over, your overall health and routines, T can become much less annoying. I would recommend the 12 hour brown noise sound machine on Spotify and keeping it on at night and indoors. Masking is key!

[1966366 in reply to Hidden]

I'll check it out, Alex, thanks for the tip! All the best