Sudden Tinnitus at Age 22, Seeking for Advice

[okienko]

Hello

I've been experiencing weird noises in my head since I can remember. They usually appeared 4-5 a year and lasted for up to 15 sec, so I used to ignore them. Most of the cases they become visible when I was wearing a headphones (I never was listening to loud music or anything like that) but they also used to surprise me when I was on the city, or even simply talking with my friend in rather quite places.

That was until yesterday. My head noises appeared and like always I was just going to ignore them for a while, but after 2 minutes they didn't disappear. Frankly that made me quite scared .I've decided to take a shower, and I thought now everything is fine but after being done and turning of water it came back. Well actually it never went anywhere, it was just a water that was deafening the constant "iiiiiiiiii" noise in my head. Quite disturbed I've sought for help from the person that I've knew was fighting with tinnitus for half of his life and after mental relief I've put some background music to focus on it instead of voice in my head that was way more noticeable in quite environment.

After waking up, I've notice something different, my ear started to hurt. Deep down in the center of my right ear there was some constant itching (there still is) that added oil to the fire. I've decided to visit a specialist ASAP. Couple of hours later I was in the cabinet of laryngologist, after a long search I've found one, couple of hours from my place that could take me. He examined my ears and said they are perfectly fine as confirmed by hearing tests. No infection, no hearing loss. He recommended me to make MRI test, because of my aching in the ear that could be a result of tumor(at first I was really scared but then I heard that its standard procedure and only small % of people actually have it, although I still know that this may be the reason in my case).

Right now I've appointed one more visit that is going to happen on Monday, and I've decided to ask about steroids and other forms of drugs or operations that could help me in this early state of hearing aids. After that on Wednesday I have MRI appointment (with contrast) just to be sure its not a tumor.
Right now as I'm writing this I don't really hear noises in my head(thought the fact that they are still there fucks my mentally) until I start thinking about them (like right now, just by typing this sentence, they become way more noticeable-although I'm not really sure if they become louder at that time or is it me that become more aware of them, what I know is it it pain in the ass). And when it comes to my ear, it hurts pretty much constantly.

I wanted to ask what do you think about steroids and other possible treatments? This is only the second day since I got this sound in my head and I'm already going crazy.

Continuation.
I had troubles with creating an account and wrote it prematurely, 2 days passed now I have an account and new symptoms.

My sound sometimes transports, from the middle of the head to the right ear, my head become heavy and its hard for me to sit straight, especially since the back of the neck also began to hurt so right now I'm leaning my head. Also my head feels really weird, like I was refreshed and sleepy at the same time and I feel pain all over it, smaller then the one in the right ear but it's still there.

 

[Stefaniie]

Just some advice— I would forgo the MRI. It's obvious you just have noise damage. Doctors do not understand tinnitus. One doctor repeatedly kept prescribing me allergy medication, which, of course, did nothing. My new gp is also recommending me to take an MRI but I won't because I know now that my issues are caused by hearing damage and having an MRI—an extremely loud machine— would almost certainly make it worse. Just search MRI on here and you can find a ton of horror stories.

The ear pain is apart of noise damage. So is the itchiness. If I were you, I'd get prednisone or something (just a suggestion, I know some people have bad experiences with steroids but prednisone got rid of that pain and itchiness for me).

Sorry you're going through this.

 

[Christopher805]

Honesty, I do not know how else they can rule out a tumor other then by imaging. Can they do a CAT SCAN? I do not know but it's not as noisy as a MRI. I have tinnitus and had two MRIs. One in an enclosed device and an open device. Both loud. They gave me ear plugs and headphone, help some. If you do decide to submit to MRI bring your own ear plugs and headset. Just in case they hand you old brittle ear plugs. I am sorry that you are going through this. I pray it's something that can be fixed.

I took prednisone for 8 days did nothing for me. I was in the emergency room 2 days later. But that was me. You have to weigh what is right for you. Please be careful with what you perceive as sound advice on forums. Seek advice from people you trust and family physicians. Most important thing I can tell you is be patient. Do not make hasty decisions because they can come back and bite you in the rear. I know first hand my impatience caused my tinnitus, with excellent hearing. Good Luck!!!

 

[Lane]

Just some advice— I would forgo the MRI.

Completely agree! -- Plus, I would be super careful about any kind of drug intervention or aggressive ear and hearing examinations, which have greatly harmed so many people on this forum. In short, consider professional suggestions, but search this forum on these suggestions before agreeing to do anything. -- @okienko -- You really need to stop using headphones until you have a better idea of what's going on. -- Best...

 

[RichardGuy]

Welcome. I recommend you see an actual ENT ASAP.

 

[Tybs]

If you insist on having an MRI, then get a "silent" one with a maximum of 70 dB. I've had one of those, and with a double layer of ear protection on top of it: this way it got no louder than a heavy vacuum cleaner.

Normal MRI's can get over 100 dB, and even with ear protection, they're quite capable of dealing more hearing damage. This is not an issue for people who have no hearing loss, but if your T is already caused by ear problems, then a single session can permanently increase it.

 

[okienko]

Just some advice— I would forgo the MRI. It's obvious you just have noise damage. Doctors do not understand tinnitus. One doctor repeatedly kept prescribing me allergy medication, which, of course, did nothing. My new gp is also recommending me to take an MRI but I won't because I know now that my issues are caused by hearing damage and having an MRI—an extremely loud machine— would almost certainly make it worse. Just search MRI on here and you can find a ton of horror stories.

The ear pain is apart of noise damage. So is the itchiness. If I were you, I'd get prednisone or something (just a suggestion, I know some people have bad experiences with steroids but prednisone got rid of that pain and itchiness for me).

Sorry you're going through this.

Honesty, I do not know how else they can rule out a tumor other then by imaging. Can they do a CAT SCAN? I do not know but it's not as noisy as a MRI. I have tinnitus and had two MRIs. One in an enclosed device and an open device. Both loud. They gave me ear plugs and headphone, help some. If you do decide to submit to MRI bring your own ear plugs and headset. Just in case they hand you old brittle ear plugs. I am sorry that you are going through this. I pray it's something that can be fixed.

I took prednisone for 8 days did nothing for me. I was in the emergency room 2 days later. But that was me. You have to weigh what is right for you. Please be careful with what you perceive as sound advice on forums. Seek advice from people you trust and family physicians. Most important thing I can tell you is be patient. Do not make hasty decisions because they can come back and bite you in the rear. I know first hand my impatience caused my tinnitus, with excellent hearing. Good Luck!!!

Welcome. I recommend you see an actual ENT ASAP.

If you insist on having an MRI, then get a "silent" one with a maximum of 70 dB. I've had one of those, and with a double layer of ear protection on top of it: this way it got no louder than a heavy vacuum cleaner.

Normal MRI's can get over 100 dB, and even with ear protection, they're quite capable of dealing more hearing damage. This is not an issue for people who have no hearing loss, but if your T is already caused by ear problems, then a single session can permanently increase it.

Thanks for many great advices.
I've visited another ENT and he gave me among others drugs, steroids(Encorton). Hopefull they gonna help (not sure if daily dose is enough tho)
he recommended me to take 30gram a day for 5 days, then 20 for 5 days and 10 for 5 days.
but i think im gonna take 40 for 4 days, 30 for 2, 20 for 3 and 10 for 5.
Also im supposed to take them after breakfast, dinner and supper - not all of them at the same time if that matters.
(My weight is something around 72kg btw.)

When it comes to MRI, they said that their equipment is from 2016 and they provide headphones, but i also would take my silencer. Is it really that loud? should i postpone it for like a 10days(I have to call the doctor in 10 days and tell him if anything changed)and if I don't get better then do the MRI?

 

[okienko]

oh, I also stopped using headphones, rest assured.

 

[Tybs]

When it comes to MRI, they said that their equipment is from 2016 and they provide headphones, but i also would take my silencer. Is it really that loud?

You will have to decide. Information can be found on the decibel chart here. The risk depends on whether you already have hearing loss or not, which is unknown at this point: after all, you're still under diagnosis.

As these devices produce over 100db by default, I did not take any chances, even with earplugs. If there are quieter devices available, why would I even consider a loud one? All it took me was the journey of one day, in exchange I can (hopefully) remain in relative peace for the rest of my life.

Think this over well. Google on the availability of a "silent MRI, type 3T" in your area. More of them are popping up these days, and the scans can be better quality as well (modern equipment). Check on the chart, we're not talking about a lineair graph here: 30 decibel difference is a lot.

 

[okienko]

Thanks for many great advices.

he recommended me to take 30gram a day for 5 days, then 20 for 5 days and 10 for 5 days.
but i think im gonna take 40 for 4 days, 30 for 2, 20 for 3 and 10 for 5.
Also im supposed to take them after breakfast, dinner and supper - not all of them at the same time if that matters.
(My weight is something around 72kg btw.)

At first he offered me 10grams a day.Then i said it kinda low and he offered me 30.But it was still kinda meh, so he gave me 100pills and said i can take up to 60 if i want but on my own responsibility)
Acutally i've been looking through posts and i saw that people take 50-60g of prednisone(i assume its same drug as Encorton)for about a week and then lower the doses. Might consider doing the same-taking 50-55gr.

^ my full recipe

 

[okienko]

You will have to decide. Information can be found on the decibel chart here. The risk depends on whether you already have hearing loss or not, which is unknown at this point: after all, you're still under diagnosis.

As these devices produce over 100db by default, I did not take any chances, even with earplugs. If there are quieter devices available, why would I even consider a loud one? All it took me was the journey of one day, in exchange I can (hopefully) remain in relative peace for the rest of my life.

Think this over well. Google on the availability of a "silent MRI, type 3T" in your area. More of them are popping up these days, and the scans can be better quality as well (modern equipment). Check on the chart, we're not talking about a lineair graph here: 30 decibel difference is a lot.

I thoroughly checked their offer and they have Philips Intera 1,5T and GE Signa Explorer 1,5T

 

[Tybs]

I thoroughly checked their offer and they have Philips Intera 1,5T and GE Signa Explorer 1,5T

Lower quality compared to 3T. Unless you have implants or some other MRI limitation, I would choose a high quality device. It's hard enough for doctors to see any abnormalities on scans as it is.

Not the primary concern however... I'm no expert, but it seems that both devices can reach up to 110 dB where it comes to sound level.

If I were you, I'd bail out and get a quieter device instead. Safer on noise and better quality, I know of no reason not to

 

[okienko]

Lower quality compared to 3T. Unless you have implants or some other MRI limitation, I would choose a high quality device. It's hard enough for doctors to see any abnormalities on scans as it is.

Not the primary concern however... I'm no expert, but it seems that both devices can reach up to 110 dB where it comes to sound level.

If I were you, I'd bail out and get a quieter device instead. Safer on noise and better quality, I know of no reason not to

Yeah i just did that, i found 3T(Philips Ingenia 3T) device and made an appointment for 19.02. If it won't get better im gonna attend it.

 

[okienko]

Also im not quite sure if i should take this much encorton(prednisone)50-60a day(and if all at once or 20x3) when i also have cinnariznum aflofarm(cinnarizine) 0,050g a day (0,025x2)
My ESN said that i should take 30per day(10x3) but apparently that really low dosage

 

[Tybs]

Yeah i just did that, i found 3T(Philips Ingenia 3T) device and made an appointment for 19.02. If it won't get better im gonna attend it.

I can't seem to find data on the decibel levels of this device (don't know if all 3T are silent), but I suppose you can always make a call to the institute to check it. Gratz on playing it safe

 

[okienko]

I can't seem to find data on the decibel levels of this device (don't know if all 3T are silent), but I suppose you can always make a call to the institute to check it. Gratz on playing it safe

Im probably gonna call them tomorrow and ask how loud their machine is.

 

[okienko]

I can't seem to find data on the decibel levels of this device (don't know if all 3T are silent), but I suppose you can always make a call to the institute to check it. Gratz on playing it safe

Well i called them and they can't really say how loud their machine is, because they simply don't know. That's kinda sad and i don't know if i should attend it. They obviously provide headphones+my silencers but im gonna wait and see if my tinnitus is gonna stay the same after steroids.If yes then probably gonna attend it.
I also found MAGNETOM Spectra 3T in other institute not sure if this one have silent scan(can't find anything about it on the internet too)-gonna call them in an hour and ask them but i don't really expect other answer then the previous one.
btw only silent scan i found is 1,5T and i would have to wait over 2 months for it

Edit.
apparently Magnetom spectra 3t i 80-90dB

 

[Tybs]

Well i called them and they can't really say how loud their machine is, because they simply don't know. That's kinda sad and i don't know if i should attend it. They obviously provide headphones+my silencers but im gonna wait and see if my tinnitus is gonna stay the same after steroids.If yes then probably gonna attend it.
I also found MAGNETOM Spectra 3T in other institute not sure if this one have silent scan(can't find anything about it on the internet too)-gonna call them in an hour and ask them but i don't really expect other answer then the previous one.
btw only silent scan i found is 1,5T and i would have to wait over 2 months for it

Edit.
apparently Magnetom spectra 3t i 80-90dB

That's a shame

I wish you wisdom in your choices herein, hopefully you get some valid options.

 

[Luman]

I went to one of the best ear surgeons in NYC a couple of years ago, who told me that he had tinnitus himself. I asked if an MRI would be helpful, and he said the odds are they won't find anything, but he offered to send me for one, if I wanted it. I declined. All of those crazy sounds and sensations in the ears and head, were very bad for the first few months, but eventually calmed down and normalcy came back.

 

[okienko]

I went to one of the best ear surgeons in NYC a couple of years ago, who told me that he had tinnitus himself. I asked if an MRI would be helpful, and he said the odds are they won't find anything, but he offered to send me for one, if I wanted it. I declined. All of those crazy sounds and sensations in the ears and head, were very bad for the first few months, but eventually calmed down and normalcy came back.

2 of my ENS recommended me to but i guess its because they just don't know what to do, right now im on steroids and i'll see later how i feel about it. But yeah people strongly advise against using mri
at first I thought it was a safe non-invasive test, but now I'm not so sure, apparently its really dangerous.