Objective Tinnitus — Doctors Got No Clue What's Causing It

[Rin]

Hi y'all, I've had objective tinnitus for about 4 years now, and I can't find relief for it. (I'll attach an audio of what it sounds like at the end.)

During the last 4 years I've seen 7 doctors. They have done lots tests, and come up with literally nothing. They have no clue what is making that noise, or how to fix it.

It started when I had surgery to put in ear tubes when I was 13 or 14, but all the doctors say that the tubes didn't cause it. I had the tubes taken out, then in October I had them put back in. Nothing has helped. I've had CT scans, I've had MRIs, Ive had hearing tests, everything, but every time they say they have no clue.

The clicking is uncomfortable, my ears often feel like there are ants running around in there, and I also have mild hearing loss in my right ear. The clicking alternates sides (it's currently in my right ear), and whichever side it's on becomes difficult to hear from. It primarily happens when I breathe in through my nose, which I find really weird, but all my doctors always overlook that.

I can't find much research on this. I've been to a tinnitus clinic, and they turned me away because they didn't know what to do. A few of the doctors I've been to were recommend to me because they are experienced in treating tinnitus, but it turned out that they were only experienced in subjective tinnitus.

I'm going to college this fall. This tinnitus is VERY loud. Someone across the room could hear it. I'm at my wits' end. I don't think I'll be able to make it through college with this, since it is making my life miserable. It'll also probably annoy the hell out of my roommate when we are trying to sleep.

I don't know what to do. Do I just hold onto hope that I'll eventually find a doctor who can help me? Should I just give up and accept this as my life? It makes talking to people difficult, because not only can I not hear them over the clicking, but I also am embarrassed of it.

I really would love to hear from other people who have Objective Tinnitus (or know about it), and learn about what y'all know, or just to not feel so alone.

(Audio)

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[Kriszti]

First of all, I am really sorry that you are dealing with this.

Have Middle Ear Myoclonus or Palatal Myoclonus been ruled out by your doctors? To me, the audio you attached does not sound like a textbook case, but maybe you can ask for opinions on here or on social media platforms of people who have diagnosed cases of the above mentioned medical issues. If it is your middle ear muscles spasming, some people benefit from muscle relaxers, Botox, or Tenotomy surgery.

 

[Cicero]

Rin, I have the same problem as you. I have done the rounds with doctors and ENT specialists to no avail. I had to give up my job because of the screaming tinnitus.

My tinnitus sound is different to yours. My tinnitus sound is the same as when a loud noise like a cracker goes off close to your ear and you get that ringing sound that eventually stops.

Unfortunately in my (our) case it does not stop. Whatever the mechanism is that eventually stops the ringing after you experience a loud bang, like a cracker close to your ear, does not work in my case. The ringing does not subside. I would like to know why it does not subside as in a normal ear.

Look up Sarah Michiels tinnitus on the internet. She is in Holland I believe.

Cheers,
Dennis