Should I See a(n) (oto)neurologist?

[Vaba]

So I'm lucky enough to be very close to Mass Eye and Ear, and I'm dissatisfied with the lack of curiousity that ENTs and audiologists have shown in my case so far so I'm looking to go further to see if there's anything I can do to mitigate the pain.

I still have a lot of questions that are unanswered regarding my situation that maybe an MRI and neurologic testing could point me in the direction of hope.

So, potential tinnitus contributors I'd like examined: I have a long history of tooth grinding (bruxism) and a VERY powerful Romanesque jaw (but no super obvious signs of TMJ disorder) as well as seriously uneven and weak neck muscles, pressure in my head, chronic lightheadedness ("depersonalization") since I was 12. I also had lead poisoning when I was 4 (it was treated but still may have had lasting neurological effects). I suffer from depression but have no history of anxiety disorders.

I have hearing that is well within normal ranges for a 21 year old (max. loss is 20db and thats at 16khz). My right ear is 0db up until 8k. It has a fluctuating whistle, almost like it cant decide what it wants to be. My left ear has minimal loss across the board and buzzes monotonously. I cant identify the pure tone frequency of either sound. My ABR, OAE, and Masked Word Comprehension are all flawless. I have been told time and time again by doctors that the minor loss doesn't explain why I have tinnitus especially given the perfect response to other tests.

Both sounds change in texture, pitch and volume when I make basically any head movement. I do not have hyperacusis and my tinnitus doesnt react at all to sound.

Is it worth it to see a neurologist to at least get an MRI? Is this the right doctor to ask these questions?

 

[glynis]

A audiologist would be better and some talking therapy to deal with the unwanted emotions tinnitus can bring....lots of love glynis

 

[Aaron123]

I still have a lot of questions that are unanswered regarding my situation

You ask at the very end if this is the right doctor to ask these questions, but you never ask any questions in your post. What specific questions would you like to have answered?

 

[Vaba]

You ask at the very end if this is the right doctor to ask these questions, but you never ask any questions in your post. What specific questions would you like to have answered?

Sorry I typed it on a phone without proofreading. I was wondering, do my neck problems (severe tension, severe weakness) contribute to tinnitus at all? Could I have a mild/early form of TMJ? Is there musculoskeletal pressure on any nerves? Do I have a neuroma (my left ear, the bad one, keeps getting that loud, "temporary" tinnitus, NEVER my right)? Could I get a nerve block to relieve the weird feelings in my left ear?

Basically, I'd like to ask someone if is there something going on in my head/nervous system that I don't know about and could do something for? I'm not looking for a cure for tinnitus, I just want to know if a neurologist could help me find something I missed. Audiologists don't have any patience to help me investigate this.

A audiologist would be better and some talking therapy to deal with the unwanted emotions tinnitus can bring....lots of love glynis

A life of coping isn't gonna happen. I need ways to objectively manage. I've given psychology and psychiatry a fair shot - 9 years, suicidal thoughts the whole time. That's almost half my whole life, and the ability to accept the pain hasn't come. I need some real, objective hope to move forward.

 

[glynis]

My ears blast 24/7 due to Menieres.

At the moment they are as quiet as a mouse due to my sever asthma on steroids second week out of 5 weeks treatment with struggling to breath.

So glad for a break as it's going be a tough week ahead burying my dad.

Don't give up hope and totally understand how you feel,
Wish I could stay on steroids oraly along with daily steroids direct in my lungs...... stay positive.....lots of love glynis