Hello, ENT Says My Tinnitus Will Go Away — Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks

[LugPaul]

Hey everyone, I'm Paul, I've had tinnitus for about a month. It seems to be due to anxiety and panic attacks.

So long story short, I ended up in the ER and they diagnosed me with anxiety and depression and prescribed me anti-anxiety meds. They are working really well and since I've taken them I noticed the tinnitus and panic attacks have been much more manageable. I've already seen an ENT and he said my tinnitus is anxiety related and would be gone shortly.

I feel really fortunate to have a positive diagnosis but I think over the last couple weeks I've developed hyperacusis as well so I'm really worried about having to deal with the combination of the two.

I'm also having trouble trusting the ENT because of all the nightmares I've read about misdiagnosis and having to see 50 specialists with no results.

Anyways I just thought I'd post my story here and talk a little bit about my situation. I'd really appreciate any advice.

 

[Contrast]

Let's try to figure out what caused your tinnitus, a lot of us on the forum are skeptical of what ENT's say and don't buy that it's only cause is anxiety,(though that may contribute).

Do you have known hearing loss?

Do you have a history of noise exposure? Loud Cars, Loud Music, headphones, noisey work enviorment?

Did you take certain medications before your tinnitus onset?

Do you have cervical spine issues, TMD/TMJ (jaw pain) or trigeminal nerve issues?

Did you have a head trauma/TBI recently or neurological problems?

Do you have genetic hearing loss in your family?

 

[Contrast]

I'm also having trouble trusting the ENT because of all the nightmares I've read about misdiagnosis and having to see 50 specialists with no results.

as you should. Misdiagnose's are rampant.

 

[LugPaul]

Hey Contrast thanks for responding to answer your questions I don't have any hearing loss so noise exposure seems unlikely but I did listen to loud music on occasion.. as for my spine I go to the gym often and as a result have had neck pain for the last 2 or 3 months. Even after seeing a doctor and getting many weeks of rest and anti-inflammatory medication I still am having range of motion, stiffness, and lots of cracking. So it may be something more serious than muscle damage but I can't say for sure. I hope this helps I don't see any other issues I might be having.

 

[Contrast]

Hey Contrast thanks for responding to answer your questions I don't have any hearing loss so noise exposure seems unlikely but I did listen to loud music on occasion.. as for my spine I go to the gym often and as a result have had neck pain for the last 2 or 3 months. Even after seeing a doctor and getting many weeks of rest and anti-inflammatory medication I still am having range of motion, stiffness, and lots of cracking. So it may be something more serious than muscle damage but I can't say for sure. I hope this helps I don't see any other issues I might be having.

how do you know you don't have hearing loss?

How often did you listen to loud music? Was it with headphones?

 

[LugPaul]

The ENT had me tested for hearing and the results were normal except for very slight hearing loss in the right ear at a specific high frequency. He said my ear was just irritated due to the anxiety and that's where the tinnitus had come from. I would listen to music maybe a few hours daily but usually keep the volume at around halfway through iPhone earbuds or a headset. Sometimes I would listen much louder though. Also I'm fairly young.

 

[Contrast]

The ENT had me tested for hearing and the results were normal except for very slight hearing loss in the right ear at a specific high frequency. He said my ear was just irritated due to the anxiety and that's where the tinnitus had come from. I would listen to music maybe a few hours daily but usually keep the volume at around halfway through iPhone earbuds or a headset. Sometimes I would listen much louder though. Also I'm fairly young.

Hello, Recent research indicates that hearing test used at most audiology clinics and ENTs are missing a lacking a lot of information about determining how bad one's hearing loss is. Tonal audiogram test only check for hearing loss within the human voice range, learn more here about hidden hearing loss and how hearing in noisy environments and music perception is not tested on standard hearing test.

http://hyperacusisfocus.org/innerear/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378595516302507

 

[Lane]

usually keep the volume at around halfway through iPhone earbuds or a headset.

You would probably do well to avoid earbuds or headphones at this time, and possibly from now on. They can be "problematic" to dangerous for many with tinnitus, especially in the early stages of it. -- Best!

 

[Contrast]

Also do you have noise sensitivity, irritation to high pitch noises, pain from noise, ear pain, or notice some things sound too loud or very loud?

 

[GregCA]

I've already seen an ENT and he said my tinnitus is anxiety related and would be gone shortly.

If I were in your shoes I'd look for a second opinion. I'd also bring this diagnosis flowchart with me to tell the doctor that I'd like to work with him/her to follow it: https://www.tinnitusresearch.net/index.php/for-clinicians/diagnostic-flowchart

 

[LugPaul]

You would probably do well to avoid earbuds or headphones at this time, and possibly from now on. They can be "problematic" to dangerous for many with tinnitus, especially in the early stages of it. -- Best!

Thank you I really appreciate your advice

 

[LugPaul]

If I were in your shoes I'd look for a second opinion. I'd also bring this diagnosis flowchart with me to tell the doctor that I'd like to work with him/her to follow it: https://www.tinnitusresearch.net/index.php/for-clinicians/diagnostic-flowchart

Thank you very informative I'll make sure to use it

 

[LugPaul]

Also do you have noise sensitivity, irritation to high pitch noises, pain from noise, ear pain, or notice some things sound too loud or very loud?

Yes I have been having lots of minor headaches lately and things like dogs barking, birds chirping, and even people talking feels incredibly loud. I also have been having minor ear pain lately in both ears and popping when I swallow.

 

[LugPaul]

Hello, Recent research indicates that hearing test used at most audiology clinics and ENTs are missing a lacking a lot of information about determining how bad one's hearing loss is. Tonal audiogram test only check for hearing loss within the human voice range, learn more here about hidden hearing loss and how hearing in noisy environments and music perception is not tested on standard hearing test.

I'll make sure to study the article thank you very much

 

[Contrast]

Yes I have been having lots of minor headaches lately and things like dogs barking, birds chirping, and even people talking feels incredibly loud. I also have been having minor ear pain lately in both ears and popping when I swallow.

Why did you not mention that to us?

That's a common feature to go along with tinnitus onset.

 

[LugPaul]

Why did you not mention that to us?

I decided not to mention it because I wanted the post to be concise and a lot of the symptoms i'm having may be due to panic attacks or other things.. I also get dizzy and light headed when I stand up suddenly and lately have had an increase in eye floaters. Also I sometimes lose sense of where I am when I'm walking. I really don't like to complain about things especially when there are so many people here struggling. These symptoms don't bother me so much so I just decided they were not important to mention.

 

[Contrast]

I decided not to mention it because I wanted the post to be concise and a lot of the symptoms i'm having may be due to panic attacks or other things.. I also get dizzy and light headed when I stand up suddenly and lately have had an increase in eye floaters. Also I sometimes lose sense of where I am when I'm walking. I really don't like to complain about things especially when there are so many people here struggling. These symptoms don't bother me so much so I just decided they were not important to mention.

Many people with tinnitus have visual snow.

balance issues? This is a problem with the vestibular system.


You do know the ear is associated with both hearing and balance.

 

[Contrast]

Did your ENT know you had balance issues, pain from noise and sound intolerance?

did any medical practioner know?

 

[Marie Meredith]

I decided not to mention it because I wanted the post to be concise and a lot of the symptoms i'm having may be due to panic attacks or other things.. I also get dizzy and light headed when I stand up suddenly and lately have had an increase in eye floaters. Also I sometimes lose sense of where I am when I'm walking. I really don't like to complain about things especially when there are so many people here struggling. These symptoms don't bother me so much so I just decided they were not important to mention.

Those symptoms, along with the tinnitus, are symptoms of vertigo. That might be something to bring up to your doctor. Good luck!

 

[LugPaul]

Many people with tinnitus have visual snow.

balance issues? This is a problem with the vestibular system.


You do know the ear is associated with both hearing and balance.

Yes sir

 

[LugPaul]

Those symptoms, along with the tinnitus, are symptoms of vertigo. That might be something to bring up to your doctor. Good luck!

Thank you

 

[LugPaul]

Did your ENT know you had balance issues, pain from noise and sound intolerance?

did any medical practioner know?

No but I see my primary care physician but now I have a better idea of exactly what my symptoms are now so i'll make sure to talk to him. I did talk to my ENT about the vertigo.

 

[Contrast]

No but I see my primary care physician but now I have a better idea of exactly what my symptoms are now so i'll make sure to talk to him. I did talk to my ENT about the vertigo.

tell him/her everything.

Pain from noise, noises sounding too loud, vertigo, tinnitus and even hearing damage that doesn't show up on the audiogram.

Ask if you can get a predisone steroid to (that may help) but results seem to vary.

You can also take 1-2 over the counter magensium supplements. Evidence suggest it may help.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507266/

Also the best advice in the world is to let your ears rest and heal and avoid all loud noises.

Do not take any suppliments you see on the internet or grocery store promising miracle treatments for tinnitus, or anything else they are usually snake oil and scams.

 

[LugPaul]

tell him/her everything.

Okay thank you so much for all your help i'll make sure to take all your advice and let you know how i'm doing.

 

[Schreecher]

You would probably do well to avoid earbuds or headphones at this time, and possibly from now on. They can be "problematic" to dangerous for many with tinnitus, especially in the early stages of it. -- Best!

Does anyone know if Bose sleep buds can be dangerous? They seem very low even on the highest setting.

 

[LugPaul]

tell him/her everything.

Pain from noise, noises sounding too loud, vertigo, tinnitus and even hearing damage that doesn't show up on the audiogram.

Ask if you can get a predisone steroid to (that may help) but results seem to vary.

You can also take 1-2 over the counter magensium supplements. Evidence suggest it may help.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507266/

Also the best advice in the world is to let your ears rest and heal and avoid all loud noises.

Do not take any suppliments you see on the internet or grocery store promising miracle treatments for tinnitus, or anything else they are usually snake oil and scams.

Hey Contrast, it's been a while but I first wanted to thank you and everybody else for the advice they gave me.. I feel like I owe you to tell you how I am doing. I've been taking magnesium supplements every day along with antidepressants and now the tinnitus is not as intrusive. At first it was horrible... If I had to guess it was around 80 decibels. Now it's dropped down to maybe 60 at its loudest. That may not seem like a big drop but it really is. But If I'm playing music or white noise it's almost unnoticeable. It seems to have settled down to a more reasonable volume... I noticed it gets worse when I'm lying down.

To sleep at night I have a noise machine playing pink noise. White noise is almost as bad as the tinnitus and brown noise makes the tinnitus easier to hear.

It's crazy, during the day I can forget about the tinnitus, and it brings me some relief. I have not listened to music through earbuds since @Lane said it would be a bad idea to wear them. Now I only listen through a computer.

Because I'm 17 I think it's very possible my tinnitus may be reoccurring throughout my life or even become chronic, so making sure I put as little stress on my ears as possible is #1 on the priority list. Because it has reduced in volume I feel there is hope that it may not be chronic..

That's kind of where I'm at.. even though I'm facing some challenges now the Sertraline and Lorazepam I have been taking have reduced my anxiety dramatically. No more panic attacks If all goes well I think I can go back to living a normal life soon. That's my little update.

 

[LugPaul]

Does anyone know if Bose sleep buds can be dangerous? They seem very low even on the highest setting.

Earbuds are safe at low volume if they fit and are not going too deep into your ear canal... However I have heard from members on Tinnitus Talk to always stay away from earbuds... I wouldn't use ear buds... If you do decide to get ear buds try to find a brand that has a timer that stops the noise while you are asleep. This gives your ears time to rest.

 

[Cool breeze]

Hi

I've read your posts and replies Reg ENT opinion and I have to say I've had balance issues and floaters .. I put it down to anxiety My tinnitus started in April after a panic attack and has been horrendous since I'm still waiting for ENT.
The balance issues are very common with anxiety so don't write off your ENT he might be right go for a second opinion it will calm you down if nothing else but don't write off your first opinion just yet.

I will get back to when I've been seen as I have almost identical symptoms to you, and yes I'm thinking of all type of worse case causes trying not to panic about it each minute is not easy.

 

[Jogger1]

What kind of anti anxiety meds are you taking? Be very wary of Benzo's! I took them for 6 weeks. All kinds of weird hyperacusis symptoms because of them. I suggest you only take those for short periods

 

[Christophe_85]

Many people with tinnitus have visual snow.

balance issues? This is a problem with the vestibular system.


You do know the ear is associated with both hearing and balance.

Indeed I have a lot of visual snow and I am very sensitive to light...