I got a bad cold back in February, and I woke up to severe PT in my left ear that never went away. I have been to 3 different ENTs, had scans and MRIs, and hearing tests. All came back clear, however my hearing is down. I actually have trouble hearing over the PT. I have had only 2 breaks for it in these past 9 months. Both were while taking antibiotics or shortly thereafter, but it came right back within 2 days after the antibiotics both times. The doctors keep telling me that there's not an infection, so why did the help both times? Any and all support and advice would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I'm beginning to lose my mind here, and am pretty miserable.
It Started With a Cold!
- Thread starter AmyB
- Start date
ManagerHi, @AmyB ,
I have PT, too (in my right ear only), and it started suddenly, like yours did. Do you have both the pulsating noise and a ringing or hissing noise, as well? That may be the reason you have trouble hearing over the PT. Also, do you know what type of hearing loss you have? (Sensory-neural, or conductive?) I have conductive hearing loss in that ear; just wondering if there might be a connection there.
The fact that your pulsatile tinnitus came on during your cold makes me wonder if you still have either an infection, or undetected fluid in your ear. It could take awhile for that fluid to go away, but I believe it will eventually.
Do you also have a feeling of fullness or stuffiness in your ear? When my PT first started, I had that awful feeling, and it drove me crazy. The fullness finally went away, but it took many months. However, the good news is that it did finally go away on its own.
You could try going to another doctor or ear specialist, to see if they can see any fluid in your ear. If not, you may need to wait it out, to see if things improve with antibiotics, and time. Are you currently on an antibiotic? Were you taking any type of drug for your cold when the pulsatile tinnitus started?
Take care, and please keep us posted on how you're doing!
Best wishes and hugs,
Karen
I have PT, too (in my right ear only), and it started suddenly, like yours did. Do you have both the pulsating noise and a ringing or hissing noise, as well? That may be the reason you have trouble hearing over the PT. Also, do you know what type of hearing loss you have? (Sensory-neural, or conductive?) I have conductive hearing loss in that ear; just wondering if there might be a connection there.
The fact that your pulsatile tinnitus came on during your cold makes me wonder if you still have either an infection, or undetected fluid in your ear. It could take awhile for that fluid to go away, but I believe it will eventually.
Do you also have a feeling of fullness or stuffiness in your ear? When my PT first started, I had that awful feeling, and it drove me crazy. The fullness finally went away, but it took many months. However, the good news is that it did finally go away on its own.
You could try going to another doctor or ear specialist, to see if they can see any fluid in your ear. If not, you may need to wait it out, to see if things improve with antibiotics, and time. Are you currently on an antibiotic? Were you taking any type of drug for your cold when the pulsatile tinnitus started?
Take care, and please keep us posted on how you're doing!
Best wishes and hugs,
Karen
Hi Karen!
I'm not currently on antibiotics. I think I'm having trouble getting any of the Drs to listen to me. They look in there and just say there's not an infection. I have already seen 3 different ENTs, and I'm getting ready to step back and just go see a general practitioner who will actually listen. I too feel the fullness in my ear, along with some pain and hearing loss. One of the ENTs said it was conductive hearing loss, another said that it was neurosensory, so I'm not sure what to believe.
Thanka for letting me vent a little.... You know how it is
I'm not currently on antibiotics. I think I'm having trouble getting any of the Drs to listen to me. They look in there and just say there's not an infection. I have already seen 3 different ENTs, and I'm getting ready to step back and just go see a general practitioner who will actually listen. I too feel the fullness in my ear, along with some pain and hearing loss. One of the ENTs said it was conductive hearing loss, another said that it was neurosensory, so I'm not sure what to believe.
Thanka for letting me vent a little.... You know how it is
Hi, Amy,
Yes, I know exactly what you're going through! I have been to two ENT's, and three neurotologists myself. I've had just about the same tests you've had, and they have found nothing. More than one of those doctors did tell me that I have conductive hearing loss, and suggested a stapedectomy. That procedure will help with hearing, but not tinnitus or pulsatile tinnitus. So, back to square one!
I'm taking a break from doctors right now, except for my primary care physician, and have been trying to habituate to it. It's much harder to habituate to PT than it is to regular tinnitus, from my experience. I used to have only mild tinnitus, and had habituated to it, before this started. My primary care physician has recommended a carotid Doppler for me, so I'm having that done next Monday.
I truly hope you are able to find a doctor who will listen and understand. It helps to tell them that you "hear your heartbeat in your ear", rather than that you have tinnitus. Then, they will maybe understand a little bit better.
Good luck, and please do keep me posted on how you're doing!
Yes, I know exactly what you're going through! I have been to two ENT's, and three neurotologists myself. I've had just about the same tests you've had, and they have found nothing. More than one of those doctors did tell me that I have conductive hearing loss, and suggested a stapedectomy. That procedure will help with hearing, but not tinnitus or pulsatile tinnitus. So, back to square one!
I'm taking a break from doctors right now, except for my primary care physician, and have been trying to habituate to it. It's much harder to habituate to PT than it is to regular tinnitus, from my experience. I used to have only mild tinnitus, and had habituated to it, before this started. My primary care physician has recommended a carotid Doppler for me, so I'm having that done next Monday.
I truly hope you are able to find a doctor who will listen and understand. It helps to tell them that you "hear your heartbeat in your ear", rather than that you have tinnitus. Then, they will maybe understand a little bit better.
Good luck, and please do keep me posted on how you're doing!
Yes, I've heard mixed reviews about stapedectomy, too. Someone I talked to who had a stapedectomy told me hers lasted about 10 years. This lady decided not to have a second surgery, and now uses hearing aids.
A carotid Doppler is a scan of the carotid arteries to see if there is any sort of plaque buildup. If so, that could be a possible cause or contributing factor to the pulsatile tinnitus.
I'll let you know what the results of my scan are.
A carotid Doppler is a scan of the carotid arteries to see if there is any sort of plaque buildup. If so, that could be a possible cause or contributing factor to the pulsatile tinnitus.
I'll let you know what the results of my scan are.
I had a hopeful day today! I met with a new GP that really seemed to be listening to me and what was going on. She too thinks that there is some kind of infection, which is what I've tried to explain to all the other doctors before. I had bloodwork done to test for different bacteria along with Lyme disease, white cell count, etc (which has never been done till today) and in the meantime I go back on antibiotics tomorrow. I'm very hopeful and optimistic that I may begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel here. I know you have suffered a lot longer than the 9 months that I have, and I definitely understand how miserable it is. I'm hoping and praying for some answers for me, and for you also.
Amy,
I'm glad you've found a new doctor who is listening to your concerns, and testing you for various causes. Hopefully, you'll get some answers soon!
Best wishes,
Karen
I'm glad you've found a new doctor who is listening to your concerns, and testing you for various causes. Hopefully, you'll get some answers soon!
Best wishes,
Karen
MemberHi Amy,
I just wanted to check in with you and see how the new antibiotics have been helping you. Did your T go down? If so, @engineerLA has spoken about possible Eustachian Tube inflammatory issues that might be at play here with your T.
Hope everything is going well!
I just wanted to check in with you and see how the new antibiotics have been helping you. Did your T go down? If so, @engineerLA has spoken about possible Eustachian Tube inflammatory issues that might be at play here with your T.
Hope everything is going well!
Kaelon, I checked out the threads, and I think we might be on to something here.... Thank you so so much! I had another round of antibiotics last week, some relief but not much... Tried the saltwater flush just now, and I'm already feeling better. Keep your fingers crossed! It's been a long 9 months!
Jim Schwartz
Member
- Dec 27, 2014
- 1
- Tinnitus Since
- 11/1978
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Cannon firing too close.
I've had tinnitus since 1978, too close to a cannon firing during my time in the Army. Since then, I have had a high-pitched sound in my (kind of like a smoke detector sound). It comes and goes in severity, usually it is barely noticeable. I got a bad head cold a few days ago, and the tinnitus is back with a vengeance, especially my right ear. My right ear is a little stuffed too (from the cold). I am guessing there is a connection with having the cold and the condition of my tinnitus.
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