Improved?

[GlenM12]

Had investigations for right ear polyp that had been present for over 20 years but making routine ear micro suctioning difficult (long standing over production of ear wax). Had hearing test but waited for results (October 2023). Went to concert 3rd Nov and mistakenly did not wear ear plugs. Very loud. Ears took around 3 days to recover but continued to feel sensitive. 12th Dec had ear blockage so used bicarb drops. Caused pain in ears. so had microsuctioning at pharmacy. This brought about tinnitus in both ears for 3 weeks of hell (? might have been the bicarb drops-told by nurse this should not also be used as can damage ears. Ringing, hissing in both ears. Heard above tv. Could not concentrate etc. Utterley miserable. Extreme noise sensitivity-even with my own talking. Saw ENT-told would be permanent. No hope of changing. Started taking Vit B12 supplements as researched suggests can benefit in some cases. After 4th week right ear appeared normal but remained in left ear. 5th week things seemed to settle down and almost return to normal (most of January) except noise sensitivity. Had follow up MRI beginning of Feb to rule out anything sinister. Very very loud procedure even with ear defenders-this exacerbated left ear tinnitus again followed by another micro suctioning 2 weeks later with continued tinnitus in left ear. Felt as if the noise was prompting the tinnitus more. MRI results back-NAD. ENT consultant said good sign that things improve but heard to tell what tinnitu is doing as unpredictable. As of today seems to be dying down again but hissing up/down in level. Hard to tell at this stage if will disappear all together, worsen or stay the same. Hoping will gradually improve and certainly be less noticeable. Since started I wear acoustic earplugs to avoid loud noise. Ears do not seem to like car travel. Hoping all will be less sensitive and improve further. Time will tell. Note at times jaw tension, head/neck movements alters pitch or even makes disappear. Seems to be a link with tension/stress. Relaxing and doing neck/jaw stretches at times appears to help.

[Happyrosie]

you mentioned your jaw: sometimes problems with the jaw joints can exacerbate tinnitus so have you had this checked?

My audiologist said bicarb too strong for the ears and indeed it did make my ear bleed although it was prescribed.

Tinnitus tries to keep you on your toes, the more unpredictable it is then the harder it is to habituate and Mr T LOVES this!

Habituation is the thing to aim for, it’s how to get here that might be difficult.

[GlenM12 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi. I did mention the changes in pitch at times depending on jaw movements etc He did not comment further. I am aware of possible TMJ muscle issues but although can affect tinnitus it mostly seems unrelated. ENT have noted hearing loss in the upper frequencies either caused by age (I’m 47) or due to my raving days in the early 90’s. I am certain noise exacerbates the tinnitus but again hard to see patterns. Sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason when it feels 95% gone or 95% louder. In December I drove myself to A&E in panic as I was woke up with an excruciating high pitched noise in left ear. It lasted around 45 minutes then disappeared. Haven’t had that occurrence since. It really is a strange condition. Even the consultant confirmed how highly unpredictable it is. Like I said i am hopeful even through habituation my brain will learn to ignore it altogether. Fingers crossed it does not worsen. Why it is legal to have concerts well in excess of 115db is hard to understand. But then I have to take some responsibility too. Regarding the bicarbonate, been told for years to use it yet every time it caused pain and sometimes infection. Years later (this year) a nurse told me “don’t use that now as it’s too strong and not advisable”. Can’t help but wonder if using it for years has had an affect also. Only now do I realise what insults my ears have had. Completely taken for granted. All I can do is educate my son not to be complacent.