Pulsating tinnitus

[Angelicscripts6]

Hi all just been diagnosed with Tinnitus & slight deafness in left ear ....some sounds are painful where by I can no longer tolerate TV or radio turned up .

This ringing & pulsating started about 2yrs ago with the progression of Cervical spondylosis getting worse, discs have gone from C3 down to C7 with mild bilateral stenosis however having had another Mri scan a year later I've developed osteophytes on all discs... just had brain scan & will know more next week... its driving me mad to a point I want to bang my head against a wall...Ent have sent me to a hearing therapist ...

The Tinnitus is bilateral jumps to right hear & right back but pulsates at same time, I can get a little relief if I sit stand at a strange angle but comes back worse ....painful too...

I've other medical conditions & become sensitive to medication which I'd been on along time & put the ringing whooshing pulsating down to meds but having weaned myself off them this bloody awful pulsating ringing was still there ....

If I hold breath it easiest off a bit however like rest of us cannot hold breath long so that's not really a treatment to recommend

I'm asking if anyone has cervical spondylosis with Tinnitus? & if so how is it treated ? Also can the brain be the problem ?

Julie

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Angelicscripts

One of the most common causes of pulsatile tinnitus relates to changes in blood flow in the neck - and it can be more intrusive or difficult to manage if you also have a level of hearing loss. There is more guidance on pulsatile tinnitus on our website - tinnitus.org.uk/pulsatile-t...

[Angelicscripts6 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thank you for your reply & will look at what you sent many thanks julie

[OceanSun]

Hi Julie,

Is your whooshing tinnitus a low-pitched, wind-like noise that pulsates in rhythm with your heartbeat? I personally have a constant, high-pitched ringing but also a whooshing on the left side that I only hear in some situations. Interested to know what yours is like as I've had no success trying to get mine investigated further after MRI scans came back normal.

Simon

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to OceanSun]

Simon, what you've described seems like Pulsatile Tinnitus. Has your consultant suggested this as a possible diagnosis at all?

[OceanSun in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Hi BTAPat,

The only diagnosis so far is one of chronic migraine (the tinnitus along with constant headaches/pressure, photophobia & hyperacusis is why I was referred for the MRI scan). I've described the pulsatile tinnitus several times to GPs and neurologists but as the MRI came back normal they've never shown much concern about it. I've always felt like there's something else going on and that the pulsatile tinnitus is key to diagnosing it. The "whooshing" pulsatile tinnitus is always more prominent when the feeling of head pressure is worse, and as far as I'm aware, it's not a migraine symptom.

Thanks,

Simon

[TinnitusUKPat Partner in reply to OceanSun]

Our guidance on PT does talk about Benign/Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, which has some of those symptoms but describes visual disturbance more so than the issue with light sensitivity which you mention. Clearly a difficult issue to get to the bottom of - I hope that you find some answers.

[OceanSun in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Intracranial hypertension is one I've discussed with them too but yes, they thought that was less likely at the time. Currently on a waiting list for a second opinion so fingers crossed.

Thanks,

Simon

[Angelicscripts6 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Hi again & having read about causes , I seem to fit into hypertension group as mentioned, eyesight is another problem too ,, double vision blurred vision & many eye tests too ... I've variable eye sight short sighted & longsighted with dry eyes...it would seem my neck is the issue & I'll know more when speak Dr about brain mri scan results tomorrow.....

[Angelicscripts6 in reply to OceanSun]

Hi Simon my Tinnitus is Thud Thud Thud & a whooshing whoosh but the ringing is high pitched & all at same time through my left ear & seems to be in time with my heart beat...its quite painful at times too ....I've to contaugh my neck to get some peace which is a pain literally, Left hear its mainly in but goes to right ear which feels like it's full then goes again....I also have sensation of the floor moving like I was on a fair ground ride & dizzy too.....bloody nightmare 😅