Hi,
Not sure why I'm even posting, I've read so many posts. I guess I'm looking for hope or something. Or maybe someone with similar symptoms that can tell me what worked for them. Or just someone who understands.
About 12 weeks ago, I was sitting on my couch, just watching TV, when I noticed what I guess I'd call a hiss. I thought nothing much of it, but after two more days the hiss became a super hight pitched tone, 14.5 kHz actually. At first it wasn't very loud, but after another week it became considerably louder.
At this point, sometimes it's louder and sometimes softer, and on very, very rare occasions, it might even go away for a couple of hours. But for the most part, it's there all the time, and sometimes it's so loud and piercing that it _almost_ hurts. It's always in both ears, but sometimes a bit louder in one than the other (sometimes left, sometimes right.) The pitch is so high that the only thing that can usually mask it is a very specific track of cricket sounds... but sometimes even that can't.
There's also a much lower pitched hum, (like a car idling) mainly in my left ear, but it's much, much quieter such that I hardly notice it. It's not nearly as distressing as the high-pitched, piercing tone I'm struggling to live with.
So far, I've seen my primary care physician, an ENT and audiologist, a chiropractor/physical therapist, and an endocrinologist (for hypothyroidism.) I did a course of oral prednisone (but not until 8 weeks after onset.) I did physical therapy for neck, and dutifully did daily neck and jaw exercises for three weeks. Also, trying Gabapentin for a month now. Tried Gabapentin + Klonopin for a week, as well. Also, taking NAC, Magnesium, B12, and Zinc. Hearing tests were normal and brain MRI was normal.
Nothing has noticeably or reliably helped. The times that it's softer are seemingly, purely random.
The cause is a mystery as well: no measured hearing loss, no sudden loud noise exposure, no new medications, no significant stress events. My hearing does roll off around where the pitch is, but it's not only normal at age 44, but I haven't been able to hear above 15 kHz for years. And I can definitely modulate my tinnitus (to be louder) by twisting my neck or even opening my mouth wide.
I'm starting to lose hope.
Any help? Any ideas?
Not sure why I'm even posting, I've read so many posts. I guess I'm looking for hope or something. Or maybe someone with similar symptoms that can tell me what worked for them. Or just someone who understands.
About 12 weeks ago, I was sitting on my couch, just watching TV, when I noticed what I guess I'd call a hiss. I thought nothing much of it, but after two more days the hiss became a super hight pitched tone, 14.5 kHz actually. At first it wasn't very loud, but after another week it became considerably louder.
At this point, sometimes it's louder and sometimes softer, and on very, very rare occasions, it might even go away for a couple of hours. But for the most part, it's there all the time, and sometimes it's so loud and piercing that it _almost_ hurts. It's always in both ears, but sometimes a bit louder in one than the other (sometimes left, sometimes right.) The pitch is so high that the only thing that can usually mask it is a very specific track of cricket sounds... but sometimes even that can't.
There's also a much lower pitched hum, (like a car idling) mainly in my left ear, but it's much, much quieter such that I hardly notice it. It's not nearly as distressing as the high-pitched, piercing tone I'm struggling to live with.
So far, I've seen my primary care physician, an ENT and audiologist, a chiropractor/physical therapist, and an endocrinologist (for hypothyroidism.) I did a course of oral prednisone (but not until 8 weeks after onset.) I did physical therapy for neck, and dutifully did daily neck and jaw exercises for three weeks. Also, trying Gabapentin for a month now. Tried Gabapentin + Klonopin for a week, as well. Also, taking NAC, Magnesium, B12, and Zinc. Hearing tests were normal and brain MRI was normal.
Nothing has noticeably or reliably helped. The times that it's softer are seemingly, purely random.
The cause is a mystery as well: no measured hearing loss, no sudden loud noise exposure, no new medications, no significant stress events. My hearing does roll off around where the pitch is, but it's not only normal at age 44, but I haven't been able to hear above 15 kHz for years. And I can definitely modulate my tinnitus (to be louder) by twisting my neck or even opening my mouth wide.
I'm starting to lose hope.
Any help? Any ideas?
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