Help me with my tinnitus please.

[Hollymonty]

I everyone,I was just wondering if anyone is getting eyes and balancing issues most of the time with tinnitus. Thank you.

[perlcoder]

Hi Hollymonty

I have suffered from T for more than 20 years now, worsening considerably over the past six. Mine is predominantly left side, but it can become central, or even right sided if I am sleeping on the left or some other sound (a masker), is occupying that ear. Balance issues can, I believe, be due to T. When, those six years ago, my T worsened and I had some such issues which I did not immediately associate with my T, my (very good) doctor advised that the T was probably the cause. I had an additional MRI scan, just to confirm that there was no other issue. Eventually the balance problem resolved naturally.

I am less sure about eyes, but the relationship between ears and eyes and the vestibular system is complicated and diagnoses (eg of vestibular migraine, which might not involve a headache), is difficult. It would not surprise me - just a layman mark you - if a connection was feasible.

I have to end by saying what we all do in these circumstances, which is that our anecdotal experience is no substitute at all for proper medical investigation and diagnosis. Please do see your doctor about your symptoms.

[Happyrosie]

as pericoder says, if you have medical issues and have not been diagnosed then your first port of call would be your medical practitioner. As it’s the weekend, you won’t be able to get hold of your doc so why not look up these issues on the NHS website and also the website of Tinnitus UK.

[rabbits65]

I get giddy and lose my balance with my T. It’s not at all nice. I try to laugh it off, I do not want to get anxious over it.

[Martymacfly]

The answer is YES. Compared to BT (Before Tinnitus) my balance has definitely been affected to the point where I don't drive long distances or at speed e.g. motorways anymore. As far as the eyes are concerned I would YES again although it was worse in the first year that my T started.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Problems with balance are not specifically due to tinnitus - rather they may show that problems with the inner ear exist whilst need to be investigated by an audio-vestibular specialist. This would be something that an audiology department could look to refer you to - alternatively, there is a professional body for audio-vestibular doctors called BAAP which has a searchable list of specialists in this area and their contact info: baap.org.uk/ and baap.org.uk/find-an-audiove...

[Kellythecat-74]

yes I occasionally walk into something or just feel I’m overbalancing slightly .