Otosclerosis and Tinnitus

[Kriszti]

In terms of coming and going, yes.

The bizarre thing is that I only noticed it post-stapedotomy. It could have been there pre-stapedotomy too, just covered by the pre-op tinnitus (it used to cover a wider range of frequencies) and thus, not as noticeable.

Now, there aren't that many tests that you should be going through to get you an idea of otosclerosis likely: Rinne/Weber fork tests, audiogram data (ABG, stapedial reflex), Carhart Notch, Schwarz sign, radiolucencies in CT... I don't know if you've gone through them, but if you haven't, it's a pretty simple next step.

Yes, I have done all the tests except for CT. Results are inconclusive. ENTs said that it could be an early otosclerosis, but hearing loss is so mild that a surgery would not be worth it right now. Only regular testing is advised at this point.

 

[GregCA]

Yes, I have done all the tests except for CT. Results are inconclusive. ENTs said that it could be an early otosclerosis, but hearing loss is so mild that a surgery would not be worth it right now. Only regular testing is advised at this point.

Surgery may not be advised, but perhaps fluoride to slow down the progression would be an interesting path to think about with your doctor.

Why haven't you gone through the hi-resolution CT scan yet?

 

[Kriszti]

Surgery may not be advised, but perhaps fluoride to slow down the progression would be an interesting path to think about with your doctor.

Why haven't you gone through the hi-resolution CT scan yet?

I kept procrastinating then lockdown happened and when I could have HRCT again some family stuff happened and in August (2020) I went to a third audiologist and the audiometry was again different than the one on which a possible early OS diagnosis was based.

 

[gameover]

So do I; I have hissing, a high-pitched constant ringing, and a pulsating beat that I can only hear at night, in time with my heartbeat.

This is an old post, but you seem to be describing my symptoms. I have all three. The hissing reactive tinnitus is my most bothersome part. I only hear the high-pitched ringing when the hissing subsides (it's loud, but I can tolerate it pretty well). The hissing often goes down, usually late at night or on days after a good sleep. I also have a pulsating beat, but it is super faint, and the room must be ultra quiet to notice it at night. Even then, it rarely happens. The last one is not an issue.

It has been so long for you—have you been able to get to the "bottom" of your hissing flavor? You mentioned a stapedectomy. I am also theorizing that my hissing tinnitus is somehow middle-ear related. Still, I have no proof, except that on occasion, the Valsalva maneuver or irrigation of the middle ear with saline (via Eustachian tube) can reduce it.