Pulsatile tinnitus

[Lf56]

Seven weeks ago, I woke up with a whooshing sound in my right ear, perfectly in sync with my heartbeat. A few days later, I was diagnosed with an inner ear infection in the same ear. I was prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection, but the whooshing noise—now diagnosed as pulsatile tinnitus (PT)—is still there, and it’s driving me crazy.

I recently saw an ENT specialist who found fluid in the affected ear and prescribed nasal sprays. While some days the PT is quieter, other days it’s very loud and disruptive. To get any sleep, I have to press on my neck and lie on my right side. However, when I naturally change positions during the night, the noise wakes me up.

I’m a single mum living in the UK with no family support nearby, as I’m originally from France. I feel very depressed and overwhelmed. I’m not sure if the PT is directly linked to the ear infection, but if anyone has experienced something similar, I would be so grateful for your advice or support. Thank you

[Lf56]

Please can someone reply

[Upbeatmap]

Hi Lf56

I have had PT in both ears for over 3 years now. Mine is caused by a condition called SSCD so is a little different to yours.

It sounds quite likely that the PT is caused by the infection and fluid in your ear as it would be a big coincidence otherwise. As far as I understand, it can take a long time for the fluid to disappear so, hopefully, the PT will gradually go. The positive thing is that the physiological cause of PT is often easier to identify than the cause of non pulsatile tinnitus and, if that cause is fixed, it is possible for the PT to be reduced or eliminated.

As far as sleeping goes, you could try to mask it with noise. I use expensive Ozlo Sleepbuds but, as an alternative, you can get headbands that have flat speakers in which are much cheaper on Amazon. You can then connect it to your phone and play background sounds to distract your brain from the PT. I find this invaluable for sleep.

One other thing you could try to give you some temporary relief is listening to Neuromodulation tracks. I found these very useful when I first got it. It doesn’t stop it but it does dampen it for a short while. The one I used is this: m.youtube.com/watch?v=4LZv3...(Not working as expected?). The effectiveness of this may depend on whether yours is more a whoosh rather than a ring. Mine is somewhere in between.

Hopefully, you will find that it will gradually fade as the fluid in your ear disappears and, in the meantime what I’ve said above will help.

I know it doesn’t feel like it now but most people do get used to it. When I first got it, I could not comprehend how I could live with it but, more than 3 years on, I go through most of my day without noticing it there.

Take care

[Lf56 in reply to Upbeatmap]

Thanks so much . This will help a lot. Hopefully the PT will start to reduce. Thanks again

[EndlessRLS99]

Welcome to my world. PT for going on ten years. I had the neck scan to make sure there were no issues with my veins or arteries. Have you done that yet? Mine is also very loud, and also gets very quiet when I press on my neck. But as you said, you can't hold that position indefinitely. On the plus side, and to lighten things up a bit, I always know my pulse rate! A steady 60! I don't know how long you've had it, but mine also started with that weird wooosh sound. And it was right after I had started on Citalopram, and anti depressent. I tried every doctor specialty that I could think of. I got off of Cital pram and on to Prozac. It didn't get rid of the PT, but it does help me deal with the anxiety and frustration that goes with it. In the end, I just got used to it. It's background noise now. I'm aware of it, and sometimes I can distract myself with a movie, or book, or activity where my brain is focused somewhere else. I think that the more you focus on it, the more prominent it becomes in your life. Do I hate it, yes, mostly, but since apparently there's nothing I can do about, I just accept and live with it. You can explore every option, join support groups on social media to give you space to vent. Try white, pink, or brown noise at night to help you mute it. I do wish you luck, and if you find something that works, please come back and share it with us!

[mark835 in reply to EndlessRLS99]

Hi how long did you have to wait between seeing the GP and having a head scan?

[Lf56]

Thanks for your reply. Earlier this week, I had an MRI scan and am still waiting for the results. I’ve also scheduled an appointment with a specialist in pulsatile tinnitus in France. We had a phone consultation where I described the noise and explained how pressing on my neck reduces the intensity of the pulsatile tinnitus. Based on this, he suspects it could be caused by venous sinus stenosis. He has already arranged for me to undergo a specific scan when I visit him.

This doctor has successfully treated many patients with similar conditions, so I’m hopeful he can identify the cause in my case.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve had recurring ear infections in my right ear—the same ear affected by the PT. There is currently some fluid buildup, which seems to be due to eustachian tube dysfunction. I’m unsure whether the eustachian tube dysfunction is directly causing the PT, but I’m exploring all possible avenues to find relief. Dealing with this has been incredibly challenging, and I’m determined to find a solution.

[SueX]

Hiya - I am in a similar position. Pulsatile tinnitus driving me nuts. I can't get any relief from it and it is VERY disturbing. I too am on the nasal sprays. I haven't found anything yet that can relieve the noise except that some days - if this makes sense - there are lots of different noises. Usually it's like an electricity/white noise sound. Sometimes however a lower rumble appears also and sometimes a high pitched noise like the brakes on tube trains. So I try to tell myself that in time either the pattern will change and become easier to adapt to, or a cause will be found. I'm under a hospital but only just had the first appointment. I have children also and it's quite hard!

[Lf56]

Pulsatile tinnitus feels like hearing your blood flow in sync with your pulse or heartbeat, which can be quite stressful, especially when it is constant. Regarding the eustachian tube dysfunction, I am continuing with the nasal spray as advised, and the ENT also recommended trying the Otovent balloon. Could you please let me know about your appointment and what the doctor said?