Experiences with Head Tinnitus?

[Ashley Ann]

Hi there,

I've had tinnitus for a little under 2 years now and after experiencing extreme anxiety back in late September/early October, I've developed a sound that feels as though it's in my head as opposed to my ears. Think... static, hissing, something of the sort, I can't quite figure out what the sound is.

And even though it's usually confined to the left of my head and I can somewhat hear it in my tinnitus affected ear, it definitely feels as though it's in my head/brain.

Does anyone have any experience with this and has it ever gone away?

Mine came on after a really bad week of anxiety and it hasn't left me since, which at first, made me think it might have been anxiety related but now I'm not quite so sure. I'm hoping it disappears altogether or even lessens in intensity, because I can hear it every second of the day, without fail, and it's causing me quite a bit of distress.

Thank you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I've had tinnitus for a little under 2 years now and after experiencing extreme anxiety back in late September/early

HI @Ashley Ann

Since you have had tinnitus for 2 years have you had tests at ENT? If so what did they say regarding your hearing and whether you have any hearing loss? Do you listen to music through headphones and if so how often? Although anxiety and stress can cause the onset of tinnitus, the most common cause is exposure to loud sounds. Typically it is headphone use and that's the reason I have asked whether use headphones.

If anxiety is the cause of the tinnitus, then it probably a good idea to see a therapist if the anxiety is still present. From what you describe, it could be the tinnitus flaring up and may settle down. If it doesn't I suggest getting referred to ENT for tests.

Michael

 

[Smartone202]

I describe my head tinnitus as a "head buzz" or like you said, a form of "static".

It came on in September 2018, went away COMPLETELY for a while to the point where I thought I would never hear it again, and now it has returned and remained steady for the last couple of months to where it has really began getting to me lately. I'm not really sure what caused this most recent flare up, but I can confirm with certainty that I've been under extreme stress over the course of the last couple of months. Something tells me stress and anxiety is in fact connected to tinnitus, as my original head buzz onset came during a time of high distress. God bless.

 

[Michael B]

@Ashley Ann I'm under the impression that tinnitus (subjective) does stem from the brain and not the ear itself.

 

[Ashley Ann]

HI @Ashley Ann

Since you have had tinnitus for 2 years have you had tests at ENT? If so what did they say regarding your hearing and whether you have any hearing loss? Do you listen to music through headphones and if so how often? Although anxiety and stress can cause the onset of tinnitus, the most common cause is exposure to loud sounds. Typically it is headphone use and that's the reason I have asked whether use headphones.

If anxiety is the cause of the tinnitus, then it probably a good idea to see a therapist if the anxiety is still present. From what you describe, it could be the tinnitus flaring up and may settle down. If it doesn't I suggest getting referred to ENT for tests.

Michael

Hi there! I'm actually seeing an ENT next week, my initial tinnitus was so low it never bothered me in my everyday life, just a faint whistling in my ear. I do use headphones, not as frequently as I used to but I do. My doctor has always told me as long as it isn't excessively loud, it should be okay but I'm weary. I'm not entirely sure if my tinnitus is noise induced or not, I'm not an avid concert goer or anything either. My tinnitus came on me one morning out of nowhere, after a series of neck adjustments at a chiropractor, after some back issues.

I do, however, think that the anxiety factors in somewhere. I've experienced this in the past before but it's been fleeting. This, however, has persisted for months now and I'm hyper aware of it which I don't imagine is helping very much, when you're focused so intensely on a noise. I'm certainly hoping it's a tinnitus spike/flare up atm!

 

[BuzzyBee]

Hi @Ashley Ann
I'd describe my tinnitus as static and hissing -- sometimes more static and sometimes a really annoying hiss. I hear it on the left side of my head which is the same side as my conductive hearing loss. I also believe tinnitus stems from the brain, but I do think hearing loss is related. Does yours get louder with sounds or is it always about the same? Mine changes volume in reaction to other sounds around it. Some audiologists have said it's a form of hyperacusis, but the last one I saw said that since there's no pain, it is actually reactive tinnitus.

Best bet is to see an audiologist. A hearing aid might help.

 

[Ashley Ann]

I describe my head tinnitus as a "head buzz" or like you said, a form of "static".

It came on in September 2018, went away COMPLETELY for a while to the point where I thought I would never hear it again, and now it has returned and remained steady for the last couple of months to where it has really began getting to me lately. I'm not really sure what caused this most recent flare up, but I can confirm with certainty that I've been under extreme stress over the course of the last couple of months. Something tells me stress and anxiety is in fact connected to tinnitus, as my original head buzz onset came during a time of high distress. God bless.

Could you be experiencing another tinnitus flare up? If it's gone in the past, that's reassuring, right! It's difficult not to fixate on a sound in your head when it's there 24/7, it's learning how to let go of it and let it phase into the background. Mine has been causing me a lot of distress recently too. It came on after a particularly anxious week and hasn't left since, which makes me feel like it's anxiety related or induced. I really hope things get better for both of us.

 

[Ashley Ann]

Hi @Ashley Ann
I'd describe my tinnitus as static and hissing -- sometimes more static and sometimes a really annoying hiss. I hear it on the left side of my head which is the same side as my conductive hearing loss. I also believe tinnitus stems from the brain, but I do think hearing loss is related. Does yours get louder with sounds or is it always about the same? Mine changes volume in reaction to other sounds around it. Some audiologists have said it's a form of hyperacusis, but the last one I saw said that since there's no pain, it is actually reactive tinnitus.

Best bet is to see an audiologist. A hearing aid might help.

Hi there! You've literally just described what I'm dealing with right now. Mine actually has been extremely reactive to other sounds. It's the most bearable when I'm in a quiet room or I'm out and about. But the second I'm around noise, be it music, the tv, a fan.. it really irritates it and I'm experiencing pain at times. Headphones are an absolute no go right now. How long have you been experiencing this? I'm hoping it's just a flare up and not something I'm stuck with forever.

 

[astaff14]

Hey, I'm in a similar situation to you, I've had tinnitus for about 2 years that recently got worse in early November though mine was due to a noise trauma.

Mine began in the left ear originally, then went to the right and eventually felt like it was in the head as you've described.

There's something promising in what you've described though in my opinion, which is that it came on after a particular bout of anxiety. That shows that your tinnitus is influenced by high levels of stress, which should mean that if you're able to bring that stress level down, that the tinnitus should decrease. I'm not sure if it would go back to not being in your head, but volume or intensity should decrease. It just sucks because it creates a loop that can be extremely difficult to get out of... anxiety makes it worse, which further increases anxiety due to the increased tinnitus level.

Setbacks happen with this bullshit disease, but you're stronger than it, and you'll beat the worst of it. I'm in the process of habituating to mine again which has been a lot harder this time around for some reason. And I've had a lot of bad days. But staying hopeful and staying busy and trying to put as much health and positivity in your life as you can really can help. Wish you the best.

 

[Smartone202]

Could you be experiencing another tinnitus flare up? If it's gone in the past, that's reassuring, right! It's difficult not to fixate on a sound in your head when it's there 24/7, it's learning how to let go of it and let it phase into the background. Mine has been causing me a lot of distress recently too. It came on after a particularly anxious week and hasn't left since, which makes me feel like it's anxiety related or induced. I really hope things get better for both of us.

I don't know Ashley. I just don't know. Hopefully it was just triggered by my stress and in some due time it will calm down, but right now it's haywire in my head, I gotta be honest. Habituating is not an option for me in this state with the head buzz on TOP of my regular tinnitus. Yeah, I didn't mention that I also have regular basic tinnitus in my left ear. That was there initially and the head buzz came a bit later. For quite some time this year the head buzz was gone and I (sadly) accepted the regular tinnitus. Figured hey, I'll take it. Now that the buzz/static is back and seemingly not going away too fast it's been getting very concerning and upsetting. Starting to get to that depressed point again that I was at a while back, where it's always on my mind and it's affecting me during my daily life more and more.

I've gotten through this before where it's gone away and I'm praying that happens again.

 

[JohnAdams]

head tinnitus is just high frequency tinnitus that is higher in frequency to the vast majority of daily noises

 

[Michael Leigh]

I do use headphones, not as frequently as I used to but I do. My doctor has always told me as long as it isn't excessively loud, it should be okay but I'm weary. I'm not entirely sure if my tinnitus is noise induced or not, I'm not an avid concert goer or anything either.

HI @Ashley Ann

I am going to give you some advice. If you don't want to follow it that is your choice but if you do it might just help you, and hopefully your tinnitus will improve and not get worse.

Stress and anxiety can cause tinnitus but the most common cause is exposure to loud noise. Typically it is headphone use followed by other forms of loud noise at Clubs, concerts or working in a noisy environment for long periods without using hearing protection. Many people that use headphones develop tinnitus because they are listening at too high a volume without realising it. This type of tinnitus can come on suddenly but usually it develops slowly over a period of time. A lot of people in this forum got tinnitus from headphone use including me 23 years ago.

I advise you to stop using headphones even at low volume. If your family doctor or the doctor and Audiologist that you will probably see at your ENT appointment, tells you using headphones is safe as long as the volume is kept low please do not follow their advice because they are wrong in my opinion. I correspond with a lot of people that have tinnitus and headphone use is the main cause and also the reason for making the tinnitus worse, because they continued using headphones. I have written about this many times in this forum. Some people will agree with me others will not. Just remember, if you listen to anyone that tells you using headphones is safe as long at the volume is kept low, and your tinnitus gets worse because of headphone use those people will be unable to help you.

When tinnitus is low as it once was in your case something usually causes it to become worse. The number one reason for this is exposure to loud noise and yes, it is headphone use that is responsible. Reading through your other posts that you have written to members you have said:

It's the most bearable when I'm in a quiet room or I'm out and about. But the second I'm around noise, be it music, the tv, a fan.. it really irritates it and I'm experiencing pain at times. Headphones are an absolute no go right now.

What you have said are clear signs that your tinnitus was caused by exposure to loud noise and I believe it's headphones. The irritation that you are experincining and pain in your ears are typical signs of hyperacusis. This is having an oversensitivity to sounds. The main cause of hyperacusis is exposure to loud noise, and often accompanies tinnitus due to noise trauma.

Most doctors do not have what I believe to be a good understanding of tinnitus. The reason for this is because they are physicians, not tinnitus specialists even the doctors that practice in ENT. They treat underlying medical condtions within the ear and auditory system that causes the tinnitus but they actual tinnitus, most don't know much about it and they do not treat tinnitus. I am telling you this because I was told this some years ago by an ENT doctor.

Hearing Therapists and Audiologists, that practice tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment with tinnitus patients, are more knowledgeable than ENT doctors because this is their area of expertise. Some of them (not all) have tinnitus. However, some will tell you using headphones is fine as long as the volume is kept low and some will agree with me. Please do not use them.

Please click on the links below and read my articles. Take your time and read through them. Try to avoid being in quiet rooms and especially at night by using sound enrichment. More about this is explained in the links below.

Take care and all the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

 

[Michael B]

Have to say I agree with @Michael Leigh on this. Earphones gave me tinnitus and I will not wear them again. This coming from an 8 year veteran. I figure if it gave me tinnitus, it can make it worse.

 

[Bartoli]

head tinnitus is just high frequency tinnitus that is higher in frequency to the vast majority of daily noises

I think it's when you perceive your tinnitus at a similar level and pitch in both ears. Then it appears to be "between your ears", much like the stereo effect on records can make you perceive instruments in the middle or off to the side depending on how the sound's panned. I agree that with high pitch tinnitus this effect is probably even greater because humans are better at localizing high frequency sound. Phantom sound in this case, but your body still tries to process it in the way it would with normal sound.

 

[Ed209]

I think it's when you perceive your tinnitus at a similar level and pitch in both ears. Then it appears to be "between your ears", much like the stereo effect on records can make you perceive instruments in the middle or off to the side depending on how the sound's panned. I agree that with high pitch tinnitus this effect is probably even greater because humans are better at localizing high frequency sound. Phantom sound in this case, but your body still tries to process it in the way it would with normal sound.

In my case, I'd say my head tinnitus is the worst. If feels like it's all over my brain and is very much a different sensation from my ear tinnitus. My ear tinnitus is at a different frequency in each ear and it's all mixed in against hissing and static noises.

The tinnitus in my head is really high frequency and it just screams.

 

[Bartoli]

In my case, I'd say my head tinnitus is the worst. If feels like it's all over my brain and is very much a different sensation from my ear tinnitus. My ear tinnitus is at a different frequency in each ear and it's all mixed in against hissing and static noises.

The tinnitus in my head is really high frequency and it just screams.

Can you modulate any of the sounds with jaw or eye movement?

 

[Badger19]

I have a motorcycle running in the back of my head. Luckily it's not loud at all and I have to focus to hear it.

 

[BuzzyBee]

Hi there! You've literally just described what I'm dealing with right now. Mine actually has been extremely reactive to other sounds. It's the most bearable when I'm in a quiet room or I'm out and about. But the second I'm around noise, be it music, the tv, a fan.. it really irritates it and I'm experiencing pain at times. Headphones are an absolute no go right now. How long have you been experiencing this? I'm hoping it's just a flare up and not something I'm stuck with forever.

I've had it for 3 1/2 years and have seen at least 8 audiologists, multiple otologists, and lots of other types of specialists just to rule out things like tumors, endocrine problems, heart disease, etc. Everyone chalks it up to the conductive loss, but the only fix for that is ossicle chain restoration and there's no guarantee. Plus I had the loss for many years before the reactivity started. But I may try hearing restoration anyway. If I recall, @GregCA had reactive tinnitus, but the reactivity subsided after ossicular reconstruction.

Dealing with this means trying to live a quiet life. I avoid parties, seek out restaurants that are quieter (and serve wine, because that helps!), and avoid going to live shows, festivals, or performances. I used to love to travel, but now I stay home and watch the dogs. People say "just go anyway!" and sometimes I do, but it's just not enjoyable behind a wall of what sound that only I can hear. But I'm still not giving up and I feel like there's something that will help eventually -- maybe Lenire or Susan Shore's device or whatever they have at University of Minnesota.

I will also add that the loudness and reactivity correlates with hormonal changes and can predict what days of the month will be incredibly loud and what days will be bearable. I've charted the pattern for 3 years so I am positive it's related to hormonal changes, just not sure if it has to do with hormones themselves or how they are affecting the neurotransmitters. What kills me is I can't even take an antidepressant because those are pretty much guaranteed to make it worse .

Long story short, I suspect the reactive tinnitus has something to do with middle ear's influence on the inner ear, but I really don't know.

 

[JohnFox]

Hi there! You've literally just described what I'm dealing with right now. Mine actually has been extremely reactive to other sounds. It's the most bearable when I'm in a quiet room or I'm out and about. But the second I'm around noise, be it music, the tv, a fan.. it really irritates it and I'm experiencing pain at times.

Yup,...that's me. And you are correct in feeling that it is a "brain issue". There probably is nothing wrong with the mechanics of your ears. My Tinnitus (hissing, static, metallic, idling jet, noise) hit me suddenly while sleeping about a year ago, about 7 weeks after a horrific motorcycle accident that put me in a wheel chair for a couple of months with multiple broken bones. So yes, I too was subjected to a large amount of anxiety. Mt T is also very much noise reactive where it can become intolerable if I am around busy noisy places. Unlike yourself, my sudden T was also accompanied by 100% loss of hearing in my right ear. Yea, no fun. The good news is that after a year, I am actually getting better at living with it. Not sure how else to say it. It's still horrible, but it's not as bad as it was in the beginning. Also, you and myself do have that knowledge that we can seek some relief by putting ourselves in a very quiet environment to allow our T to wind down a little...so to speak. This is why I am still able to sleep at night, because that is a very quiet time. Feel free to enquire of me on how I am getting on with this, since it appears as if we are suffering close to the same form of Tinnitus. There are many different types and intensities. God bless.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

head tinnitus is just high frequency tinnitus that is higher in frequency to the vast majority of daily noises

JohnA, Can you explain these a little more, please??? BTW, how are you doing these days?

 

[Tybs]

Yup,...that's me. And you are correct in feeling that it is a "brain issue". There probably is nothing wrong with the mechanics of your ears. My Tinnitus (hissing, static, metallic, idling jet, noise) hit me suddenly while sleeping about a year ago, about 7 weeks after a horrific motorcycle accident that put me in a wheel chair for a couple of months with multiple broken bones. So yes, I too was subjected to a large amount of anxiety. Mt T is also very much noise reactive where it can become intolerable if I am around busy noisy places. Unlike yourself, my sudden T was also accompanied by 100% loss of hearing in my right ear. Yea, no fun. The good news is that after a year, I am actually getting better at living with it. Not sure how else to say it. It's still horrible, but it's not as bad as it was in the beginning. Also, you and myself do have that knowledge that we can seek some relief by putting ourselves in a very quiet environment to allow our T to wind down a little...so to speak. This is why I am still able to sleep at night, because that is a very quiet time. Feel free to enquire of me on how I am getting on with this, since it appears as if we are suffering close to the same form of Tinnitus. There are many different types and intensities. God bless.

Did you get physiotherapy concerning your neck? My T came from an accident at home and mostly matches your description. I've been doing neck exercises for the past few months, and this improved my T complaints a lot, with periods of silence in the current state (few hours max). It used to be unmaskable, but now even minor sounds make it fade completely. I can hardly hear it anymore unless a bad day occurs.

It took a few weeks before the effects became noticable though. The exercises themselves also give a small spike, but that simply confirmes the issue being in the muscles in my case.

 

[Ed209]

Can you modulate any of the sounds with jaw or eye movement?

Sorry buddy I didn't see this. Yea, I can modulate mine with my jaw.

 

[MBH]

Yes, I have head tinnitus and had it from the beginning. It changes in frequencies, basically 3 tones. When it moves up in volume I notice it but I go about my day. My tinnitus is from stress not noise.

 

[PeteJ]

Unless someone proves otherwise, I think most tinnitus develops after ears problems including hearing change and this is somehow "communicated" to the brain and the brain doesn't "shut off" the message that something is 'wrong' or something major happened.

I guess the technical explanation is overactive firing of neurons that is perceived by the so-called phantom ringing.

Is that interpretation not accurate?

 

[Bartoli]

Unless someone proves otherwise, I think most tinnitus develops after ears problems including hearing change and this is somehow "communicated" to the brain and the brain doesn't "shut off" the message that something is 'wrong' or something major happened.

I guess the technical explanation is overactive firing of neurons that is perceived by the so-called phantom ringing.

Is that interpretation not accurate?

It's definitely a widespread theory. There are others, too. Personally I think curing or effectively treating the illness will confirm the model was right in a backwards fashion.

 

[PeteJ]

It's definitely a widespread theory. There are others, too. Personally I think curing or effectively treating the illness will confirm the model was right in a backwards fashion.

Can you elaborate?

 

[PeteJ]

I don't have patience for this topic. Also, my left ear is in so much pain right now.

I see that the whole idea of those pushing CBT is about habituating and "reaction" as if people should 'fine tune" their "reaction."

It's like telling someone who is shot in the gut that they don't have to react 'that way. " If the tinnitus is bad enough and everyone has their own subjective severity, they will react in a way they can't help it. Answering questions on a piece of paper won't help. If they could control their reactions, they would. Geez.

 

[JohnFox]

Did you get physiotherapy concerning your neck?

No, I have not done had any neck treatment or do neck exercises. Maybe I will look into that. There is a very slight change in the Tinnitus when I lean my head way over to the left, verses leaning it way over to the right. So maybe there is something to it.

 

[Davey]

I think it's when you perceive your tinnitus at a similar level and pitch in both ears. Then it appears to be "between your ears", much like the stereo effect on records can make you perceive instruments in the middle or off to the side depending on how the sound's panned. I agree that with high pitch tinnitus this effect is probably even greater because humans are better at localizing high frequency sound. Phantom sound in this case, but your body still tries to process it in the way it would with normal sound.

You're probably right. I had a airplane sound around 3300 hz roaring through my head (besides many other). It felt like my head was fully vibrating. This was the only tone I couldn't distinguish left from right. Had this for years, but last night I only heard it in my right ear and not fully in my head. It was a weird sensation.

 

[Davey]

Did you get physiotherapy concerning your neck? My T came from an accident at home and mostly matches your description. I've been doing neck exercises for the past few months, and this improved my T complaints a lot, with periods of silence in the current state (few hours max). It used to be unmaskable, but now even minor sounds make it fade completely. I can hardly hear it anymore unless a bad day occurs.

It took a few weeks before the effects became noticable though. The exercises themselves also give a small spike, but that simply confirmes the issue being in the muscles in my case.

Can you describe your tinnitus and what kind of exercises you're doing? I can modulate a few of tones through my neck by forcing a bad posture or looking left to right really fast.