I have had tinnitus for a few years, to a mild degree. Various sounds, high pitch, distant planes and white noise.I currently have a trapped nerve on left side due to a prolapsed disc that is also impinging on my spinal cord.
I am awaiting to see a specialist. My tinnitus has got a lot worse, very much louder. I was wondering if the two things are related. Has anyone else had similar?
I've had bother with trapped nerves a few times over the past 10 years or so, my T has never been affected.
Thank you KC. Yeah, not sure if it is the trapped nerve (quite high up) or the slight impinging on my spinal cord that is heightening the tinnitus. Could be totally unrelated.
Somebody told me in could be related to getting your ears wet. They said as we get older we are more likely to have a kind of allergic reaction in the ear. Not heard of that before.
My ears are all clear, no infection etc.
Hi Marv. I can't get my ears wet . If I do my T spikes and takes a long time to come down again. That's why I can't wear my HAs. The build up of moisture causes an infection. You can get ear plugs to wear in the shower or you can plug them well with cotton wool - if you want to keep them dry.
Thank you DL 1973, the thing is I've kept them dry for what seems like ages. But will stay vigilant. Thank you for your reply. 🙂👍
Forgot to say .. Hope all goes well with the specialist . If it turns out not to be the trapped nerve you could ask for a hearing test. Even a slight drop in hearing can cause an increase in T - as I discovered several years ago. HAs work wonders if you can wear them. Most people are able to.
Thank you, yes actually had a hearing test at work two weeks ago. My hearing in my left ear has gone to Grade 2 from 1. At the moment it sounds like a washing machine in the next room, but about 3 octaves higher pitch. So loud. 🙂
Sounds like you've lost a little at the higher frequency in your left ear . Quite normal at our age 🙂
Haha, yeah so I've heard.Really quite amazed how loud the T has gotten lately though. Seem to be handling it quite well though.
How are you doing?
Good for you. T can sound so loud when it first gets louder but you'll get used to it over time. I'm OK thanks. I'm used to my T in the sense that I mostly don't react anymore. It's just uncomfortable sometimes.
Nice to hear you are ok.It's weird, I think if it did suddenly go quiet I would miss it. Have a nice weekend. Enjoy the sunshine. 🙂👍
Cervicogenic somatic tinnitus (CST) is related to the somatosensory system of the cervical spine.
Sorry you are experiencing this issue 19marv19….
And yes I can claim to have gone through a similar experience these last two years.
I somersaulted over a bike handle bars because the front wheel dislodged whilst carrying a heavy rucksack and landed right on the bag causing my neck to whiplash…
This made a disc bulge and press on nerves that began a long series of symptoms… loss of feeling in my left face lips tongue… along with pulsatile tinnitus which got worse over several months.. and severe vertigo and eye pains…
Had MIR and took anti inflammatory meds and used various creams to reduce symptoms but my real turning point to recovery started when I purchased a neck massager with inbuilt heat settings… Amazon sell them… within three weeks the tinnitus settled and the vertigo stopped..
Please continue your treatment options offered by your Doctor but consider using something to help relax the nerves and muscles as most neck and cervical injuries take several months to abate.
I hope you do find a way to lessen or remove those “head noises” … best wishes.
Thank you Jomico.That does sound familiar, I just woke up with a really stiff neck and shoulder area back in January.
I've had an MRI which has confirmed the prolapse and impingement. Not sure if I'm going to have an op. Have been referred but not had a first consultation.
Now the pain has well subsided, just having to deal with pins and needles, both sides now and the extra loud T.
I do have a massager, not tried it for this.
I suppose because I assumed the nerve will remain trapped. Maybe it could provide some relief.
Thank you again. 🙂
Hey, I had tinnitus for 8 years and I got used to it to the point I didn't even think of it all those years, I would only hear it at night but even then I wouldn't pay that much attention. It was just there. But since April my tinnitus spiked up, I did have a mild middle ear infection which possibly made it worse, but also my neck was so stiff I could feel knots that were painful. I used Tiger balm to relax and ease it and it did help (neck pain wise). Yours could be cervical/somatic tinnitus? I am just guessing, I also have TMJ and Haitus hernia which could also add to the pressure of my middle ear and eustachian tube. I also clench my jaw. But yeah all those could be reason for worsening, mine is quite loud now also, thinking it could be hay fever as it hit me quite bad this year. I did check my hearing not long ago and it was all good. I pray we all find relief.
Yes relief all round would be most welcome.I do get how to ignore it, though sometimes when I'm in the quiet it does become quite relentless.
I find myself listening to it, like I am on pause. I then snap myself out of it.
Thank you very much for replying. 🙂
Identical ailments. I too cannot wear my hearing aids and to add insult to injury on Thursday I was involved in a car accident where airbags deployed and as of today my hearing is highly muffled ear pain is terrible and tinnitus sounds like a load of tin cans falling.
I had the same back problem In 1997 befor I got tinnitus, it never effected my ears . I still suffer with my back and it never effects my tinnitus ,it could be because you have become anxious and worried ..
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Thank you John.That is a possibility, though I have been quite the anxious kind of person all my life.
The thing that makes me think is related us that is disc 7 that is quite high up. If it can give me pins and needles and things in my arms and fingers, I didn't think it a big leap for it to effect my ears too.
Waiting for specialist confirmation. Just a phone call to rule it in or out would be good.
Thank you again.
Hope your back and tinnitus is not too bad. 🙂
tinnitus is worrying but soon after a year you habituate too it, the less you ignore the better it gets, I find the busier I become the less it bothers you, I can walk about and not think about it and the sooner you do it the better, never listen too horrible stories turn tv and news off, it messes with your head anything that is a negative energy get rid of it, trip too beach shopping mall a walk in the countryside get out there they are the tools too managing this and it will subside enough it’s about positivity
Thank you. Wise words, definitely agree keeping busy is a great technique to keeping it quieter.Bike riding is a favourite for me
Overall, quiet rooms etc it is so much louder, however not bothering me as much.
Constant companion and all.
Since found out it is not related to my spine problem.
Have an appointment with ENT on the cards, no date yet.
Looking in to it, I think you are correct, habituation is key.
Thank you again Freefallfaith. 🙂
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