Hi. Larry,
I'm glad that your ENT was helpful to you this time around. What type of doctor did he refer you to? I have been to a couple of neurotologists, who are more specialized. Neither one found anything unusual in my MRI/MRA or CT scan. I haven't had a CT scan with contrast, however (I believe that is called a CTA). Have you had that test yet? I was a little afraid of the test, because of the injection of iodine into the veins (I'm a thyroid patient), but if all else fails, I may still have that done.
As to subjective and objective pulsatile tinnitus -- In subjective tinnitus, no one else can hear the pulsating sound except the patient. In objective tinnitus, it is possible for others to hear the sound. And, in objective tinnitus, it is more likely that there is a vascular cause that a doctor can identify through testing. At least, that's what I've read.
A question for you: Are you able to momentarily stop the pulsating sound when you press on the carotid artery on the right side of your neck? My doctors have tried that with me, but it doesn't do anything to lessen my pulsating sound. How I wish it did!
I've had this for almost 3 years now, and at times my pulsating seems less severe, but I can definitely still hear it , and it is bothersome (feels like my head is always vibrating) and frightening, although I'm trying to live as normally as possible.
It's comforting to hear from others, like yourself, who also have this condition. I am trying to be hopeful that a cause will be identified for us, and if not, we must do our best to be positive and lead a normal life!