Recently Developed a Hissing Tinnitus Sound That Is in Sync with My Heartbeat

[sparky71]

I am 64 (retired) and started with a hissing sound in my head about 4 months ago. It makes a hiss... hiss... hiss sound exactly in sync with my heartbeat. I did the usual google search so I have an idea that it is pulsatile tinnitus.

I saw my GP who told me that before anything further could be done I would have to see an ENT specialist, to see if there is any hearing loss, which I don't think there is. My appointment is late January 2020 although I contact them regularly for a cancellation.

Early on, there were short spells when the sound would stop but recently it has been 24/7. It goes louder if I lean forward with my head below my waist and if I lie down. It also raises to a higher pitch if I press between my temple and my left ear. It also decreases greatly if I pinch my nose and blow, this leads me to believe it is the left ear where the problem lies. I have had congested sinuses for most of my life and I have worked in noisy environments although I have always used ear protection.

Without wanting to sound self pitiful, it has had quite an effect on me. I now hate bedtime and prefer to go to bed when I am absolutely tired out, usually 2am. If I wake in the night I usually end up lay there listening to the noise until I drop off again. I struggle to concentrate on things, it's made me short tempered and occasionally I have a funny turn when a wave of depression seems to come over me where I am frightened in case I can't handle it in the future, angry because it has ruined my retirement and extremely anxious. I have not shared this with my wife or family in case it worries them.

When I take part in activities such as cycling, swimming or other physical activities I get some relief from the noise so I know that there are ways of blocking it, but I am unable to do this at will yet.

I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and can give me an insight on what to expect when I see the specialist.

 

[Tex]

It doesn't sound like you have the typical noise induced tinnitus, for which there is no cure. It sounds like you may be lucky in that it is something to do with your sinuses. I bet a good ENT can help you.

 

[Tybs]

It makes a hiss..hiss..hiss sound exactly in synch with my heartbeat.

Heartbeat sync is definitely pulsatile. Not sure why your GP suggest hearing loss in that case, but the ENT will probably go for pulse as well. At least I hope, they sometimes say weird stuff...

Anyway, in case they would try to brush it off as hearing loss, keep pursuing diagnosis. Many pulsatile causes are treatable, good chance you are in the lucky camp with this.

 

[ZZZukas]

If you end up finding something, please please please post it here.

This is exactly how mine is in my left ear. The volume of the hiss modulates with my heartbeat. I truly hope you find a solution. With me - ive seen 4 ENT's this calander year and spent my out of pocket max trying to track it down. 2 general ent's, 1 neuro specialist, and 1 sinus specialist. Had an mri and CT scan. Nothing showed anything was abnormal except hearing loss, especially so over 2k. Like you, this drives me nuts trying to fall asleep. Worse, because it gets louder with a heartbeat, working out makes it seem louder more often, which is worse.

 

[sparky71]

Thanks for the concern and the information. I actually feel better now that I have shared my experiences and realise there are others in a similar condition.
I'll repost if there are any changes.

 

[RichardGuy]

>never follows up

wonder what happened to him?

 

[Bea T.]

Hello ,
This is my first time posting.sorry if I mess anything up. The eye doctor told me i had vitreous eyes about 5 years ago. What that means they start changing shape. It usually creates problems if it decides to pull on the retina. Sometime people dont know if they even have it. It starts around the age of 60 to 65. I have poked that dye before so I guess it was vulnerable. I went to reach up one day

 

[Bea T.]

Continuation..of first report..long story short..retina made a horseshoe tare..had eye surgery. Under general anesthesia for 3o minutes total. Woke up with hissing static rhythm noise around head and ears. I had lightheaded pressure for six months and two weeks of severe head pain on top for 2 weeks after surgery. Took 800 mg of advil gel everyday for 2 weeks. The hissing insects with rhythm has been with me since july 9, 2018. It subsided for a month and it came back strong. I had to lay my face down for 7 days and u could only lift the head for 15 minutes. I had to take moxifloxcin eye drops for 24 days. The general anesthesia was lidocaine, midzolam, fentanyl, propofol and 2 others that were not ototoxic. So I have had test negative, mri with contrast, mrv, mra and ct of temporal bones. I have a small jugular bulb dihensence on the left no problem..my problem is on the right where the surgery was. Suggested to me was nortripylene hesitant to take, but could help just 10 mg..for sleep..the general anesthesia could have exacerbated a condition, reaction to general anesthesia or the surgery. I knew 3 other people that had the same surgery no problem..so I dont know, maybe try acupuncture, chiropractor.or levo system or trt..I feel so sorry for people with this affliction I have never heard of it. And I have no hearing loss..a audiologist in newnan , georgia didnt want to evaluate me because I have no hearing loss.made me sad..but their is a wonderful one in alpharetta, georgia she only offers trt.i might have to give it a try...any suggestions for me..any help will be appreciated..sorry so long. Thank you for listening...

 

[sparky71]

OP here, reporting on my progress. After 5 cancellations I eventually saw the ENT specialist in January. I had a hearing test which showed a typical curve for my age. I was suggested hearing aids which I refused as I am not aware of any hearing loss, and partly out of vanity.
I had a camera inserted up my nose which was a strange sensation but nothing to really worry about. The specialist said there were no polyps but quite a lot of mucus ( I have had blocked sinuses all my life). Bottom line was she saw no reason for my Tinnitus and recommended an MRI scan just to be sure there was nothing untoward. I told her about how the noise changes if I bend forward or press my head or neck in a particular place, which she thought was interesting, but offered no explanation.
I had the MRI scan in March, and am awaiting the results. The Covid 19 lockdown has put everything on hold. I had an appointment with the Tinnitus clinic which was cancelled for the same reason. One thing their leaflet showed was a circle where you notice the noise, worry about it, it then seems louder...repeat. This seems spot on.
So that is where I am up to. The pulsatile hissing is still there, and I also now have an intermittent fizzing noise like the fuse on a stick of dynamite on the other side. Both noises seem to be in my head rather than my ears.
I am aware of it 90% of the time, I have to be doing something to take my attention away from it. Sleep is difficult, concentration such as reading is impossible, watching TV is difficult. I am snappy with my wife and sometimes have very morbid thoughts and suffer what I presume are panic attacks.
I just hope the Tinnitus clinic can help me in some way. I'll keep you informed.