High-Pitched Tinnitus After Waking Up from a Nap/Sleep

Hey everyone,

A couple of months ago I woke up from a nap with a high-pitched noise in both of my ears.

As the day went by, it became considerably less, but still noticeable if there was absolutely no other external noise.

A month later I woke up from sleep and the same thing happened.

I saw my PCP this past Monday, he did whatever he can, and ruled out anything neurological. I have no hearing loss or issues with balance.

The one thing I did have prior to all this was a very bad case of TMJ which was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced. It lasted over two weeks.

Any clue why tinnitus triggers from sleep or a nap?

 

TMJ is likely the culprit.

But check your B12 levels.

I should add I am not a doctor and have no idea.

Actually I should say your case is interesting. I have tinnitus (and hyperacusis) from an acoustic trauma. I have quite the consistent pattern where my tinnitus is worst after waking up, and particularly so after shorter naps (that I now avoid). It tends to get better as the day goes, but never really disappears anymore and is reactive to sound/spikes during the day.

Some people share this behavior, but some (maybe more it seems) people with noise-induced tinnitus) have it exactly opposite. They wake up to a quiet tinnitus that gets louder as the day goes.

Whatever caused your tinnitus, your tinnitus shares that behavior with mine, weird.

I read some theories that sleep apnea issues can make tinnitus worse after sleeping. But the "accepted" explanation is "awakening response" of reticular formation and/or cortisol levels. I don't believe anyone knows.

Good luck. Whatever caused your tinnitus, stay away from LOUD noise.

 

9/13 Update:

I don’t want to pop open the champagne bottle yet, but my high-pitched tinnitus waking up from a nap/sleep seems to be 95% gone. When I went to visit my PCP, I told him how I feel like I’m in the mountains. I started Flonase last Monday and he did say it takes about 10 days to take effect. It’s been about three days now and I have had no need to use the white noise machine.

He did make an appointment with the audiologist when I visited him and I’m still going to go and see how my hearing is.

I also found a TMJ specialist at UCLA who I am going to see as I believe some thing with the TMJ caused the ear thing and in turn the tinnitus.

 

That's great news!