- Dec 5, 2024
- 1
- 28
- Tinnitus Since
- March 2021 or '22
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Crack from moving jaw to the left during a yawn.
I should probably start by mentioning that the symptoms with my left ear began either just before or just after I finished high school in 2014, which was a particularly stressful time for me. Specifically, I noticed a persistent feeling of "fullness" in my left ear that wouldn't go away no matter how many Valsalva maneuvers (plugging my nose and blowing with an open mouth) I tried.
When I visited an otolaryngologist, the initial hypothesis was that I might have temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), and I was told a prosthodontist would contact me for further treatment. However, due to the severe depression I was experiencing at the time, I had a very pessimistic outlook on life and my future. When they never followed up, I didn't pursue treatment further until around 2019.
During a visit to another ENT in 2019, TMJD was again suspected, and I was referred to physical therapy. Unfortunately, before I could start therapy, an event occurred that permanently changed my experience of silence. I can't recall if it was in March 2021 or 2022, but it involved a peculiar quirk I had when yawning. My right side felt fine, but my left side felt as if it was pressing against a "wall." Without thinking it could cause harm, I would push through by shifting my jaw in that direction.
Previously, this action resulted in a dull pop on the affected side, a sensation that began when the ear issues started. However, on that fateful day, instead of the usual pop, there was a pronounced crack. Immediately afterward, I noticed ringing in my left ear—ringing that did not subside after a few minutes or even a few hours. It has now been almost three years.
The ringing hasn't improved with physical therapy exercises or the passage of time. Despite extensive research, I've been unable to identify the exact cause. For years, I thought my ear issues were rooted in joint dysfunction, but a recent physical examination at my primary care provider's office revealed otherwise. I exhibited neither the joint clicking nor limited motion typically associated with TMJD. Instead, Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) was suspected.
I was referred to an ENT for further evaluation, but the referral was to the same doctor who had previously dismissed me, saying, "It's all in your head" after seeing me use my phone to reference a list of symptoms I had documented in Google Keep. Frustrated by this experience, I didn't follow up with the referral.
I'm reaching out now to see if anyone has any idea what might have caused my tinnitus or could point me toward resources for understanding and possibly treating this condition. I'm also curious whether treating the underlying issue could restore my ability to enjoy music through headphones or bedroom audio fully.
Additional Details:
When I visited an otolaryngologist, the initial hypothesis was that I might have temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), and I was told a prosthodontist would contact me for further treatment. However, due to the severe depression I was experiencing at the time, I had a very pessimistic outlook on life and my future. When they never followed up, I didn't pursue treatment further until around 2019.
During a visit to another ENT in 2019, TMJD was again suspected, and I was referred to physical therapy. Unfortunately, before I could start therapy, an event occurred that permanently changed my experience of silence. I can't recall if it was in March 2021 or 2022, but it involved a peculiar quirk I had when yawning. My right side felt fine, but my left side felt as if it was pressing against a "wall." Without thinking it could cause harm, I would push through by shifting my jaw in that direction.
Previously, this action resulted in a dull pop on the affected side, a sensation that began when the ear issues started. However, on that fateful day, instead of the usual pop, there was a pronounced crack. Immediately afterward, I noticed ringing in my left ear—ringing that did not subside after a few minutes or even a few hours. It has now been almost three years.
The ringing hasn't improved with physical therapy exercises or the passage of time. Despite extensive research, I've been unable to identify the exact cause. For years, I thought my ear issues were rooted in joint dysfunction, but a recent physical examination at my primary care provider's office revealed otherwise. I exhibited neither the joint clicking nor limited motion typically associated with TMJD. Instead, Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) was suspected.
I was referred to an ENT for further evaluation, but the referral was to the same doctor who had previously dismissed me, saying, "It's all in your head" after seeing me use my phone to reference a list of symptoms I had documented in Google Keep. Frustrated by this experience, I didn't follow up with the referral.
I'm reaching out now to see if anyone has any idea what might have caused my tinnitus or could point me toward resources for understanding and possibly treating this condition. I'm also curious whether treating the underlying issue could restore my ability to enjoy music through headphones or bedroom audio fully.
Additional Details:
- Symptoms in Both Ears: Although the incident happened on the left side, the ringing is present in both ears. Oddly, the "good" ear (the right side) has more distinct "layers" to the phantom noise: ringing, PC-like electronic noise, rapid stuttering pops, and a sound resembling the 20 Minutes Till Dawn EXP ping. It's strange, as repetitive sounds supposedly can't "burn in" to one's hearing.
- Progression of Symptoms: The stuttering whirring noise used to only appear at the end of the day and resolve after sleep, but it's now constant. The ringing is more noticeable in quiet environments, such as when I'm in my bedroom or wearing headphones. Despite this, the overall volume of the tinnitus seems relatively low, as I can still hear sounds at a very low volume setting.
- Pulse Awareness: I can hear my pulse on the left side when wearing headphones or lying on that side. This side also exhibits symptoms of tonic tensor tympani syndrome (TTTS), particularly in response to low-frequency sounds like typing.
- Other Ear Noises: My left ear occasionally produces rapid, unexplained popping sounds and, less frequently now, a "cotton sliding" noise when I swallow. A physical therapist once suggested this could be caused by vestigial muscles triggering. These issues may also be related to the "roaring" or thumping sensations I've associated with TTTS.
- Impact of Hydration: Interestingly, the noise sometimes lessens upon waking and worsens (especially in the right ear) after drinking a large amount of water.
- Unusual Symptoms: In October 2021, I briefly experienced intermittent spasms in an inner ear muscle accompanied by a strange taste in the back of my throat. This was a one-time occurrence.
- Access to Care: Despite having SSI and Medicaid, I haven't seen another ENT since the incident due to limited options for providers who accept my insurance in Clark County, Washington. However, I may be moving out of the country soon, which could provide better access to diagnosis and treatment.
