I have had constant Tinnitus (7500 hz) for 7 years plus. Fortunately I am able to manage it.
Despite every test (MRI, CT, Allergies) and engagement with multiple EN&T consultants they cannot find anything wrong. This appears to be a common thread on this forum.
I also suffer on and off with Pulsatile Tinnitus however the Tinnitus is there constantly. The pitch of the Tinnitus changes though when I turn my neck, open the jaw and press my temples/scalp. Whenever I mention this the medical experts look at me as if this is the first time they have ever heard of it and offer little help.
I wonder whether anybody has any experience of similar and could give me some advice. I periodically see an Osteopath for relaxation of back and neck caused I think by 40 years of RSI sitting in front of a computer. I have have also tried acupuncture with little success.
I wonder whether I have chronic congestion issues (I am not though continually blowing my nose nor have any infection) which is causing compression in the eustachian tube / around the ears? My T does appears worse in the winter. Alternatively is it possible that my neck may be out of line which is causing issues around the ear? I have had recent hearing test and although there is a slight drop at high frequencies it is not of any consequence at this stage for any further action.
I don't know who to go and see - Is it EN&T, or Vascular, or Orthapaedic or another dept?
Any views appreciated?
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MickJF
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a possibility is temporal mandibular joint issues - for which you’d see a dentist. More information on the Tinnitus UK site with which, I feel, you will be familiar. But you’ve probably had an MRI for that? And an ENT consult would have thought of that.
What I find comforting for you is that there is no sinister cause, so you join the billions of us worldwide who have tinnitus.
Another thing to take comfort from, and you will have seen this here on this forum, is that most people eventually habituate. There was a TV program on this subject which was mentioned earlier in a post a few hours ago - have a look.
exactly the same as mine. Tinnitus that changes tone and sound with neck and jaw movements. Also it changes if I press on my trigeminal and occipital nerves.
Hi there. I have a dentist who is quite knowledgeable about tinnitus. More so than any other medical professional I have encountered! Turning head, moving jaw etc will always change the T tone purely because we are moving everything around that area. But, as my dentist says, a whole lot of small problems can lead to one big one when it comes to T. So poor neck posture, teeth clenching, problem teeth etc can all lead to more bothersome T. I think the way he described it was all the nerves around that area are interconnected. I had to have a mouth guard made and now do some pilates and yoga to improve posture. I'm a cyclist so posture was poor!! The biggest help for me though was some CBT based thinking, which basically means removing avoidance measures, and trying to stop putting T on a pedestal, thus making it less important. Hope some of this helps. Take care
Hi there Happyrosie. I know we're all different but mine has always done that. If I open the jaw really wide it gets higher and louder. If I turn my neck or drop my head, like on my bike for example, it changes also. For at least a year or so it never stayed at the same frequency. Most of the time I have a low diesel engine drone in my left ear along with a loud constant beep,then a jet engine high pitch in my right. Thats why it took me so long to get used to it, as it never stayed the same. My ENT doctor told me this is quite normal, plus the changes with head and neck movements. My audiologist said its NOT common, but not unheard of either!! All that said however, my response has changed to T thankfully. Sometimes it annoys, but mostly, it doesn't. Its a time thing I think. Take care.
Hello. I have somatic tinnitus. My T started just over 10 months ago. First, without somatic symptoms. My T intensifies with jaw, head & neck movements. I’m learning to ignore it. People without T can have these symptoms too. I also have TMJ from a recent op. I know people who say their T changes when they blow their nose, yawn , etc. Apparently this is normal in a lot of people who have T.
Hi...so i have T and i have Somatic Tinnitus, this sounds similar to you, i have spoken to other people with T and they do not have Somatic T, just T (bad enough) its a sub type of T and its to do with movement, so i get it when i move my jaw and i hear hissing, so when i breath, eat, talk, walk etc etc it hisses and its horrible, i am having acupuncture and doing massaging of face, neck and shoulders, sometimes somatic t can be from posture related issues, perhaps a joint is slightly out of place?? in the future if there is no improvement with the Somatic T i will try and see an Upper Cervical Chiropractor not a mainstream chiropractor as they have a more gentle, holistic approach, i was told i had TMJD but then that was dismissed by Maxillo Facial and he had no suggestions for the ear pain or somatic T so i have had to work this out, also there is a man Glen (forgot his surname) on You Tube who has it (12 years - so that doesnt exactly bode well!!) however he has researched this and written a book etc still has it but lives a full life, im not there yet!!!!
Hello Mick, Your situation sounds exactly like mine also. Mine started about 2 years ago. My t is in the same range and is always there but definitely increases in volume with jaw movement. I have expained this to several ENT's and get this blank look in return. It is hard to find an ENT that is knowledgable in tinnitus. The worst advice is to "learn to live with it". My dentist does think it could possibly be a TMJ issue and have tried a mouth guard without much success. I have found a wonderful CBT therapist who has helped me deal with the emotional aspects of tinnitus. I find that when I stay occupied my thoughts don't focus on the t as much. It is still difficult when the t spikes but I try to tell myself that this is only temporary and it will abate. My GP did put me on a very mild anti-depressant that has helped with the sleep aspect. I also use sound therapy especially when the spikes occur. It is a struggle but I do try to not let it consume my life. These are just some things that have helped me. I wish you and all of us the best.
Sorry for the misunderstanding Rosie. What I meant was the feeling of hopelessness when you see a physician looking for answers and that is what you hear. My t has only been around for a little over 2 years and I have made strides in coping with it for the most part but the first few months put me in a dark place. Searching for reasons and answers but finding little from medical professionals. Forums such as this have been very helpful. Thank you.
Ok understood! I agree the medical profession do not appear to deal with tinnitus in a helpful way.
Not all of them seem to have read the NICE guidelines - I suspect that consultants feel they are above that sort of thing?????? This thought of mine is just from what other posters say.
The medics know that they, personally, cannot provide the answer. The answer (from what I read here from other posters) lies in acceptance, perhaps via CBT or using masks.
Dear all , thank you so much for replying in such a kind way. A social media platform that adds value to current day living!
It is gratifying to know that others have a similar condition. All your comments are highly useful and please feel free to add.
While I am managing to live with it I am though not prepared to give up on the reasons why I have Tinnitus. I have also considered my diet and whether certain foods or drink make it spike. Personally I think either I have eustachian tube issues and or I have some compression in the neck which is close to the ear. But hey what do I know! 😀 It is frustrating to not know what medical discipline to approach. Again thank you all.
Totally agree its very frustrating, i have cut out dairy, and salt, and the more research i do the more somatic T is as a result of muscular/joint issues, jaw/neck issues can create ETD problems, i have recommended Julian Cowan Hill on You Tube as he has a range of vlogs covering a lot of these issues and he explains how we carry our emotions in our jaw and how when tense it messes everything up, its obviously a complex condition, hard enough with T and then having ETD issues as well,
Just to add if you havent already maybe try a physio?? mine pointed out my jaw was not aligned and i had tense face, neck, shoulder muscles, i was totally unaware of this until she showed me, my neck is too forward etc, it helped me see the areas i need to look at.
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