I Think I Have Tinnitus — From Allergies and/or Tension in the Jaw and Scalp?

[basma]

Hi all,

I've joined this forum hoping to find some answers to my questions and some support. I'm from Australia and it's currently spring here... we had a lot of windy days and fires and smoke in September and I noticed my hay fever flared up (I have some allergies) then I caught two colds one after the other...

I noticed a hissing sound in my ears after the first cold but only in a very quiet room and because I've noticed that on and off in the past I didn't really think twice about it.

After my second cold the doctor gave me Augmentin because I felt my ears were full and some pain. This made the ringing worse and it's stayed this level since then which was two weeks ago.

I wake up with louder ringing that seems to subside once I'm standing up and walking around... the ringing is there all the time... sometimes mild sometimes moderate... I had a hearing test which was normal... I never listen to loud music and I don't have any brain injury etc...

After a lot of googling I've come to the conclusion it's caused by allergies and/or tension in the jaw and scalp because I've been told I grind my teeth at night and I know I clench my teeth a lot because of stress and anxiety which I have...

I'm seeing an ENT soon and an allergist and a dentist... meanwhile I'm hoping this is temporary and will go away once the weather changes.

 

[Bill Bauer]

doctor gave me Augmentin

Check out the posts below
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/search/3479372/?q=augmentin&o=relevance
You might want to never take Augmentin again.

 

[Lane]

I've come to the conclusion it's caused by allergies and/or tension in the jaw and scalp

Hi @basma -- I ran across a 7-Min video (link below) a while back that I thought was very good. It essentially shows how to use a box fan with any kind of filter to cheaply purify the air, using a variety of methods to suit what works best for you. I think it could be helpful for helping eliminate some of the allergens you're dealing with.

HEPA vs DIY Air Filter for Smoke, Dust, Pollen, Dander

 

[Michael Leigh]

I never listen to loud music

HI @basma

Welcome to the forum.

Exposure to loud noise is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. It is good that you don't listen to loud music which makes the possibility of the tinnitus being noise induced less certain. Do you listen to music through headphones? Or use a headset, work in a noisy environment? If no to any of my questions then the tinnitus is not likely to be noise induced, so the reason for it is elsewhere. Something usually causes the onset of tinnitus. If you do use headphones regularly I would like to know.

All the best
Michael

 

[basma]

HI @basma

Welcome to the forum.

Exposure to loud noise is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. It is good that you don't listen to loud music which makes the possibility of the tinnitus being noise induced less certain. Do you listen to music through headphones? Or use a headset, work in a noisy environment? If no to any of my questions then the tinnitus is not likely to be noise induced, so the reason for it is elsewhere. Something usually causes the onset of tinnitus. If you do use headphones regularly I would like to know.

All the best
Michael

I work as an interpreter and I take calls during the day but I always have the mobile or landline on speaker and very rarely use earphone unless I'm out and about and even then it's on a low volume... I don't think my job has caused it as it started after my hay fever flare up and two colds in a row... today I ate an avocado (which I've never done) and suddenly my tongue and ears started to feel so itchy and weird and I felt my ears clog and feel itchy so I took Claritin... which means I have some inflammation in my Eustachian tubes (awful pain landing twin months ago on a trip overseas and blocked ear for a few hours.

 

[basma]

Check out the posts below
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/search/3479372/?q=augmentin&o=relevance
You might want to never take Augmentin again.

Oh wow ... it increased after the augmentin but I needed it for my ears ...

 

[basma]

Hi @basma -- I ran across a 7-Min video (link below) a while back that I thought was very good. It essentially shows how to use a box fan with any kind of filter to cheaply purify the air, using a variety of methods to suit what works best for you. I think it could be helpful for helping eliminate some of the allergens you're dealing with.

HEPA vs DIY Air Filter for Smoke, Dust, Pollen, Dander

Thanks so much for the link I'll check it out... I usually turn on the A/C to filter out allergens in the house and keep all windows and doors closed and am thinking of buying an air purifier.

 

[Michael Leigh]

earphone unless I'm out and about and even then it's on a low volume.

HI @basma
Do you listen to music through headphones regularly?

 

[basma]

HI @basma
Do you listen to music through headphones regularly?

No never at all and never used to in the past either... I've noticed it's louder in the right ear and when I'm lying down on my right ear the noise is reduced but when I'm lying on my left it's louder and now I'm worried about acoustic tumours.

 

[Michael Leigh]

No never at all and never used to in the past either... I've noticed it's louder in the right ear and when I'm lying down on my right ear the noise is reduced but when I'm lying on my left it's louder and now I'm worried about acoustic tumours.

It doesn't seem the tinnitus is noise induced. It is best to wait for your appointment at ENT so tests can be carried out. Try not to worry. Please click on the link below and read my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View. It explains the tests that ENT usually carry out. Coping methods and treatments for tinnitus.

Take care and all the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

[charanjit]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this group. I have Tinnitus for 6 years. I tried everything from Lipo flavonoids to essential oils but no results. could anyone suggest me something for Tinnitus relief.

 

[Digital Doc]

I work as an interpreter and I take calls during the day but I always have the mobile or landline on speaker and very rarely use earphone unless I'm out and about and even then it's on a low volume... I don't think my job has caused it as it started after my hay fever flare up and two colds in a row... today I ate an avocado (which I've never done) and suddenly my tongue and ears started to feel so itchy and weird and I felt my ears clog and feel itchy so I took Claritin... which means I have some inflammation in my Eustachian tubes (awful pain landing twin months ago on a trip overseas and blocked ear for a few hours.

It sounds like you had an allergic reaction to the avocado. What you describe sounds like oral allergy syndrome. Be sure to avoid avocados like the plague, and see an allergist. You may also be allergic to other foods like melons, white potato, tomato, peanuts and kiwifruit. You may also have an allergy to latex which can also be associated with this.

 

[basma]

It sounds like you had an allergic reaction to the avocado. What you describe sounds like oral allergy syndrome. Be sure to avoid avocados like the plague, and see an allergist. You may also be allergic to other foods like melons, white potato, tomato, peanuts and kiwifruit. You may also have an allergy to latex which can also be associated with this.

Yes definelty an alllergic reaction. The last time I ate an avocado was ten years ago. I'm seeing an allergist in two weeks time for the skin prick test. ENT next week.

 

[basma]

It doesn't seem the tinnitus is noise induced. It is best to wait for your appointment at ENT so tests can be carried out. Try not to worry. Please click on the link below and read my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View. It explains the tests that ENT usually carry out. Coping methods and treatments for tinnitus.

Take care and all the best
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

Excellent report by you and pretty much sums it all up. Thanks

 

[basma]

Saw an audiologist today for a proper test and everything is normal. Seeing an ENT next week. The audiologist said to reduce salt as it can increase sodium in the cochlear ... never knew that and also said sometimes tinnitus with no hearing loss is stress related and the more one thinks or obsesses over it the longer it continues (something about neurons) he was very understanding and reassuring and made a lot of sense. I've calmed down a bit now that I know I don't have any hearing loss and my GP also saw me today he said my ears looked good (no wax or any infection or fluid). I'm happy

 

[Michael Leigh]

Saw an audiologist today for a proper test and everything is normal. Seeing an ENT next week. The audiologist said to reduce salt as it can increase sodium in the cochlear ... never knew that and also said sometimes tinnitus with no hearing loss is stress related and the more one thinks or obsesses over it the longer it continues (something about neurons) he was very understanding and reassuring and made a lot of sense. I've calmed down a bit now that I know I don't have any hearing loss and my GP also saw me today he said my ears looked good (no wax or any infection or fluid). I'm happy

That is good news @basma I would like to give you one final piece of advice. Even if your tinnitus isn't noise induced, I strongly advise you not to use "Headphones" even at low volume until the tinnitus goes away better still, never ever use them. If your Audiologist or ENT doctor says using headphones is fine for people that have tinnitus as long as the volume is kept low. Trust me it isn't and you are taking a huge risk, as the tinnitus can increase to a level you wouldn't believe is possible.

Best of luck
Michael

 

[basma]

That is good news @basma I would like to give you one final piece of advice. Even if your tinnitus isn't noise induced, I strongly advise you not to use "Headphones" even at low volume until the tinnitus goes away better still, never ever use them. If your Audiologist or ENT doctor says using headphones is fine for people that have tinnitus as long as the volume is kept low. Trust me it isn't and you are taking a huge risk, as the tinnitus can increase to a level you wouldn't believe is possible.

Best of luck
Michael

Thanks Michael no I never use headphones but sometimes I use earplugs (the ones that come with the iPhone)... are those ok?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thanks Michael no I never use headphones but sometimes I use earplugs (the ones that come with the iPhone)... are those ok?

HI @basma

Open back, closed back, Noise cancelling or any type of headphone or headset is dangerous for people with "Noise induced" tinnitus, even when played at a low volume. Some people with NIT are not affected by headphone use. However, it is a risk. The tinnitus only needs to spike once using them and this usually means the tinnitus will increase to a new permanent level. Why anyone with NIT would choose to put themselves at such risk is beyond normal thinking, in my opinion, especially if they know the dangers. Please click on the following link and read the post by HeavyMantra. He listened to ENT doctors and Audilogists, who said using headphones is safe for people with tinnitus. Just read the torment he is now in: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...ty’-once-and-for-all.36836/page-3#post-471532

Using earphones and listening to audio is just as dangerous in my opinion. However, wait until your tinnitus reduces to it's lowest level. Give it at least 3 months. Then, if you want too use the earphones (which I don't advise) then do so and keep the volume as low as possible, and don't use them for more than 3o mins. Give your ears a rest at least 2hrs or more. Your tinnitus may not be Noise induced but I still advise you to be very careful.

You might think I am being paranoid about headphone use because I mention it so many times in this forum for the passed 5 years I have been here. I have counselled people with Noise induced tinnitus, crying on the telephone, because their tinnitus has increased after following the wrong advice from doctors and Audilogists that haven't got a clue about Tinnitus. Most know very little about tinnitus because they have no experience of the condition. They are medical professionals and know about the Anatomy of the ear and can treat underlying medical conditions associated with the ear. This does not make them tinnitus specialists.

Take care and I wish you well.
Michael