2 Months of Severe Tinnitus: No Clue What Caused It

[OB0305]

Hello, everyone!

It has now been two months since I developed tinnitus, and it is driving me absolutely crazy.

The tinnitus is bilateral, but it is a bit louder in my right ear. I experience about four different tones that change throughout the day. In my left ear, I hear whistling and static noises, while in my right ear, there is a high pitched metallic ringing and fuzziness. It is very, very loud, and I can hear it over pretty much everything.

Before the tinnitus started, I would occasionally lose my hearing for a few seconds. This happened about two or three times a day every other day. At the time, I did not think much of it.

After the ringing began, I went to A&E and had my ears examined by an ENT doctor. She noted that my right ear had impacted earwax and referred me to have it removed. My blood test showed no signs of a virus or infection.

It has been a little over a week since the earwax was cleared, but the tinnitus is just as loud as ever. I have been referred to an ENT specialist for a more thorough examination of my middle ear, but honestly, I am feeling pretty pessimistic about it.

I have never been to a concert, I do not use headphones, and I do not expose myself to loud noises, so I have no idea what might have caused this.

The thought of living with this forever fills me with despair. I have even started taking anti anxiety medication because I have been feeling so depressed.

I am sorry for the long rant. I just really needed to vent.

 

[bob k]

I've had mild tinnitus for as long as I can remember. However, about two years ago, it suddenly worsened to a whole new level. Around the same time, I started experiencing insomnia, anxiety, depression, and weight gain. I have no idea what triggered these changes.

While researching my sudden health issues, I discovered that I had been taking thyroid medication for many years; medication I didn't actually need. Before these symptoms started, I had a routine colonoscopy. I'm not sure what they used to sedate me, but I remember waking up feeling wonderful. Oddly enough, my symptoms began shortly after that procedure.

I've even wondered if something unexpected happened during the colonoscopy, like being given the COVID-19 vaccine while under anesthesia. Could the anesthesia itself have caused these changes? I know these thoughts might sound far-fetched, but at this point, I'm grasping at straws.

Thankfully, time has lessened the intensity of my tinnitus. It's still there, but I don't notice it as much anymore. I wish all of you fellow sufferers the very best.

 

[Nick47]

Hi @OB0305, I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Current knowledge suggests that most tinnitus is caused by damage to the inner ear, even if your audiogram appears normal.

What not to do:

1. Avoid wasting money on supplements. They do not repair inner ear damage. If you feel compelled to try one, magnesium may offer slight benefit, but it's unlikely. Be cautious with supplements, especially fat-soluble ones, as they can cause harm in excess.

2. Do not seek treatment from masseurs, chiropractors, or dentists. These approaches can cause more harm, waste your money, and deepen your frustration. Be wary of anecdotal claims on Facebook or Reddit—many of these "success stories" are simply placebo effects.

What to do:

1. Counseling for distress. Tinnitus can be emotionally overwhelming, and counseling can help manage its impact on your mental health.

2. Hearing aids. If hearing loss is detected, hearing aids may provide some relief.

3. Medications. Look into established protocols, such as:
- Dirk De Ridder's protocol
- Dr. Hamid Djalilian's protocol (discussed in the Treatments section, under the NeuroMed Tinnitus Program thread)

These researchers typically do not recommend a single medication or SSRIs as standalone solutions.

4. Clinical trials. Explore clinical trials in your area. Could you enroll in one?

5. Research involvement. Check out Tinnitus Quest under the "Research News" section. If you have relevant skills, you may want to get involved. Alternatively, you could contribute a small donation to support their efforts.

I hope this helps in some way. Let me know if you have further questions or need more information.

 

[benjd2016]

Hello, everyone!

It has now been two months since I developed tinnitus, and it is driving me absolutely crazy.

The tinnitus is bilateral, but it is a bit louder in my right ear. I experience about four different tones that change throughout the day. In my left ear, I hear whistling and static noises, while in my right ear, there is a high pitched metallic ringing and fuzziness. It is very, very loud, and I can hear it over pretty much everything.

Before the tinnitus started, I would occasionally lose my hearing for a few seconds. This happened about two or three times a day every other day. At the time, I did not think much of it.

After the ringing began, I went to A&E and had my ears examined by an ENT doctor. She noted that my right ear had impacted earwax and referred me to have it removed. My blood test showed no signs of a virus or infection.

It has been a little over a week since the earwax was cleared, but the tinnitus is just as loud as ever. I have been referred to an ENT specialist for a more thorough examination of my middle ear, but honestly, I am feeling pretty pessimistic about it.

I have never been to a concert, I do not use headphones, and I do not expose myself to loud noises, so I have no idea what might have caused this.

The thought of living with this forever fills me with despair. I have even started taking anti anxiety medication because I have been feeling so depressed.

I am sorry for the long rant. I just really needed to vent.

It sounds exactly like what I experienced before I had a severe tinnitus onset in December 2020. For days, I dealt with fluctuating hearing that would last a few seconds to a minute, and it was terrifying. Then one day, while reading on my computer, it all started. A few months later, the same thing happened in the same ear, and eventually, it affected my left ear as well.

I believe I have Meniere's disease, but I'm currently taking blood thinners along with a vasodilator. This approach goes against what some doctors might recommend, but I'm not taking any chances with my hearing—it has been the bane of my existence for as long as I can remember. I've decided that another major episode could be the end of me, so I'm willing to try anything.

I can't recommend this approach to others since I don't know their specific causes, but if it works for me, I'll report back. If it doesn't, my next step will be to try methotrexate, as steroids are considered more dangerous for long-term use.