New Cross to Bear — Dentist with Tinnitus Out of the Blue

[Rodney O'Connor]

Hello, all! I'm glad that this form exists. My tinnitus began out of the blue a couple of weeks prior to Thanksgiving, 2021.

I've never known myself to have any allergies until early last year. I was bringing up dense, spherical phlegm without coughing. My M.D. told me that my nares were very inflamed and prescribed a medication akin to Flonase. The only new possible allergin I was exposed to was a Ragdoll cat, Cece; a gift from my daughter. I explained my situation and gave her the cat; after about 3 weeks I was back to normal!

Again, I was prescribed Azelastine nasal spray (for possible Eustachian tube congestion/inflammation) when I reported my tinnitus. The audiology and ENT appointments were unremarkable (very good hearing) and masking background sounds were prescribed. I was losing sleep and the malady was 24/7. I resigned myself to wallow in self-pity with Vodka onboard for Thanksgiving, although I was invited to Thanksgiving dinner. But, interestingly, I realized that I had no ringing when I awoke! I was so relieved and elated, I wanted to give my special thanks at the dinner, after all.

Currently, I'm looking into any possible amelioration with hemp flower; tart cherry juice in the evenings, along with the nasal spray. I practiced general dentistry for 44 years and I thought that the high-pitched whine of the high-speed handpiece might have taken its toll, but I don't think so.

I don't use the background masking (White Noise app) so much now because I stay so busy doing chores, listening to music/podcasts; watching TV, that I don't dwell on that constant acoustic sensation, even at night. And, from time to time, it does disappear!

Lastly, I want to mention that I still want to pursue my musical and artistic endeavors, but tinnitus does make it a bit of a task.

Good luck to all and stay safe!

Docmatrix

 

[Mister Muso]

Welcome to the forum. When I told my dentist here in the UK about my tinnitus, he said "oh I've been reading articles about that in the profession lately". So unfortunately your profession may be a contributing factor here. Certainly I've found my tinnitus to be spiked occasionally by my dental treatment as a patient.

What instrument do you play? I've played keyboards in rock bands for about 25 years prior to tinnitus but now I just play piano at home with earplugs in. I've had a couple of acoustic jam sessions and computer music sessions lately with friends, but for my first three months I took a complete break from music as my severe hyperacusis made it very difficult to listen to. Things have slowly eased during the past 2.5 years so I try to stay optimistic.

 

[Rodney O'Connor]

Good to hear from a fellow musician. Did you have a chance to check out my music? I play guitar, bass; sing. I have drum machines and need to fire up my Garage Band DAW. I miss jamming or performing with other musicians. I use Liquid Bandage to coat my sore fingers, as I try reconditioning my callouses.

I'll look into dentists and tinnitus. I retired in September 2019, so, is it possible that the onset would come on after more than 2 years, a delayed reaction?

 

[GeorgeLG]

I am a musician that records alone now but played in a hard rock band in the 70s.

After tinnitus and more importantly pain hyperacusis set in, I was sidelined from playing or recording for 9 months.

I have modified my approach to keep everything much quieter - no headphones, tracking with speakers and noise gates, practicing unplugged, drums last, high frequency attenuation during tracking and early mixing and so forth. It's slower and harder to keep time but I have completed 2 songs since starting back up. I learned piano, bass and drums. I have been a guitar player for 60 years. Interestingly the acoustic guitar is a hard no for me now and electric guitar is manageable.

George