Sudden TINNITUS!

[nicole m]

hello.
I live in Mississauga, Canada. I have been a flight attendant for 4 and a half years.
It has been two weeks of tinnitus for me.

March 20 - It happened in a hotel room after a flight in at night time, I had bought a new vape juice flavour (smoking this juice for three days). While vaping in my room my right ear suddenly popped, and a loud ringing in my right ear occured for 10-15 minutes. This was highly startling and panicking. The loudness subsided and a slight ringing/static noise now presently occurs in both ears.
Went to see a walk-in clinic doctor (twice at different locations) and both has told me it was most likely air pressure due to flying. Ears looks fine and healthy, no ear wax. "Come back in a week or two if it persists."

March 22 - 26 - the ringing continues, but it was bearable. It became much more prominent after I vaped or smoked. I quite both cold turkey.

March 31 - tinnitus was bearable when quitting. But after spending time with smoker boyfriend and dinner with friends, the tinnitus felt worse around 10:30 pm and anxiety took over and decided to go to emergency at local hospital. Ive told the ER doctor of my situation and he prescribed me "Flonase" nasal spray. He speculates its a build up of fluid in my inner ear, and inflammation from sinuses to inner ear??
Have not used the nasal spray for fear of agitating tinnitus. At that point I want to be persistent on seeing an ENT specialist before taking medication.

April 1-2 - still have not used Flonase nasal spray. But my sinuses feel a little stuffy, and my ears feel a little pressure and slight fullness with T. My hearing personally seems fine, but I dont feel like myself
I took time off work to search for an ENT ASAP.

Today-
Perhaps it was the vape juice containing propylene glycol? As PG is an ototoxic. Maybe the nicotine made my tinnitus worse? Perhaps the four years of flying has taken its toll on my ear health.

Being new to tinnitus, I go through constant stress trying to ignore it. At the same time, I have cravings of smoking since quitting. I broke down crying because the fear of this being permanent can be a possibility. My career depends on my ear health...
Im very thankful to find this website and forum, im open to any advice and suggestions. I will update my journey as much as I can.

Good luck and God bless.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Check out the thread below where I summarize everything (27 tips) I learned about managing tinnitus after reading the posts on this forum for the past year.
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...eone-else-who-has-tinnitus.26850/#post-307822

 

[nicole m]

Thank you so much!!

 

[Contrast]

He speculates its a build up of fluid in my inner ear, and inflammation from sinuses to inner ear??

if that is the case then the decongestant spray would cure your tinnitus

Have not used the nasal spray for fear of agitating tinnitus. At that point I want to be persistent on seeing an ENT specialist before taking medication.

It wouldn't, Tinnitus is caused by the brain making a phantom noise to compensate for hearing loss, not what's going on inside your ear.

Take the nasal spray, it's the best advice if congestion is the case.

 

[jjflyman]

hello.
I live in Mississauga, Canada. I have been a flight attendant for 4 and a half years.
It has been two weeks of tinnitus for me.

March 20 - It happened in a hotel room after a flight in at night time, I had bought a new vape juice flavour (smoking this juice for three days). While vaping in my room my right ear suddenly popped, and a loud ringing in my right ear occured for 10-15 minutes. This was highly startling and panicking. The loudness subsided and a slight ringing/static noise now presently occurs in both ears.
Went to see a walk-in clinic doctor (twice at different locations) and both has told me it was most likely air pressure due to flying. Ears looks fine and healthy, no ear wax. "Come back in a week or two if it persists."

March 22 - 26 - the ringing continues, but it was bearable. It became much more prominent after I vaped or smoked. I quite both cold turkey.

March 31 - tinnitus was bearable when quitting. But after spending time with smoker boyfriend and dinner with friends, the tinnitus felt worse around 10:30 pm and anxiety took over and decided to go to emergency at local hospital. Ive told the ER doctor of my situation and he prescribed me "Flonase" nasal spray. He speculates its a build up of fluid in my inner ear, and inflammation from sinuses to inner ear??
Have not used the nasal spray for fear of agitating tinnitus. At that point I want to be persistent on seeing an ENT specialist before taking medication.

April 1-2 - still have not used Flonase nasal spray. But my sinuses feel a little stuffy, and my ears feel a little pressure and slight fullness with T. My hearing personally seems fine, but I dont feel like myself
I took time off work to search for an ENT ASAP.

Today-
Perhaps it was the vape juice containing propylene glycol? As PG is an ototoxic. Maybe the nicotine made my tinnitus worse? Perhaps the four years of flying has taken its toll on my ear health.

Being new to tinnitus, I go through constant stress trying to ignore it. At the same time, I have cravings of smoking since quitting. I broke down crying because the fear of this being permanent can be a possibility. My career depends on my ear health...
Im very thankful to find this website and forum, im open to any advice and suggestions. I will update my journey as much as I can.

Good luck and God bless.

My advice is don't "do" anything. In other words, give it time to sort itself out. Don't try syringing your ears, don't rush to an ENT, don't mess around with your ears at all, just give it time.
Most likely within few months it will fade. Time is the best cure.

 

[glynis]

I would try your nose spray to help clear the mucous in your eustation tubes.
I use it also ....love glynis

 

[nicole m]

if that is the case then the decongestant spray would cure your tinnitus



It wouldn't, Tinnitus is caused by the brain making a phantom noise to compensate for hearing loss, not what's going on inside your ear.

Take the nasal spray, it's the best advice if congestion is the case.

My boyfriend says the same thing. Its weird because ive read a couple threads on here about Flonase specifically and so far majority had negative feedback.. but I guess others are more out spoken when things dont work out for them...
Either way its coming to a point where i have no choice, its nice to have reassurance about the spray. Thank you.

 

[GregCA]

He speculates its a build up of fluid in my inner ear, and inflammation from sinuses to inner ear??

Middle ear, not inner ear. Your inner ear's normal/working state is to contain fluid (perilymph, endolymph). Believe me, you want those fluids in there.
Not sure why the speculation: middle ear fluid is generally visible with an otoscope (he did look with an otoscope right?). If in doubt he can test the mobility of the ear drum (some otoscopes have an embedded pump to blow some air on the ear drum), or do a tympanometry test.

April 1-2 - still have not used Flonase nasal spray. But my sinuses feel a little stuffy, and my ears feel a little pressure and slight fullness with T. My hearing personally seems fine, but I dont feel like myself
I took time off work to search for an ENT ASAP.

That sounds like a good idea.

 

[attheedgeofscience]

Im very thankful to find this website and forum, im open to any advice and suggestions. I will update my journey as much as I can.

Besides specific objective findings, check the more general picture – which – for anyone would include their "patient history" (incl. a history of noise-exposure and/or medication). The world is a noisy place both – occupationally and recreationally. Need I say more?!?

 

[SugarMagnolia]

At the same time, I have cravings of smoking since quitting.

Hi Nicole. Maybe try cigarettes made of organic tobacco.

 

[dayma]

I never had any issues using Flonase and would not discourage you from trying it. No downside in my opinion.

 

[nicole m]

Hi Nicole. Maybe try cigarettes made of organic tobacco.

Never thought of that!!

 

[nicole m]

My advice is don't "do" anything. In other words, give it time to sort itself out. Don't try syringing your ears, don't rush to an ENT, don't mess around with your ears at all, just give it time.
Most likely within few months it will fade. Time is the best cure.

I would rather know the possible cause and diagnosis from a professional, than be ignorant about whats going on with myself...

 

[dpdx]

My advice is don't "do" anything. In other words, give it time to sort itself out. Don't try syringing your ears, don't rush to an ENT, don't mess around with your ears at all, just give it time.
Most likely within few months it will fade. Time is the best cure.

Absoultely agree. I did ear syringing when i had mild T, ear syrining is the caloric test and here I am with mild hearing loss and really bad Tinnitus (Severe), and it has not gotten better since Jan 17.

 

[dingaling]

Who said anything about ear syringing!? If the doctor didn't see any wax in the ears, then there's no need/point

@nicole m we can't tell you what to/what not to do but if you can "feel/sense" congestion, then the nasal spray is a good idea (take as directed) as it will unblock the nasal/air passages

Easy to say but try not to focus on your T too much - doing so unconciously "tells" your brain that the T sound is important meaning that your brain will focus on it more

Can't help re the vaping as I gave up fags years ago before vaping was even dreamed of

 

[nicole m]

Who said anything about ear syringing!? If the doctor didn't see any wax in the ears, then there's no need/point

@nicole m we can't tell you what to/what not to do but if you can "feel/sense" congestion, then the nasal spray is a good idea (take as directed) as it will unblock the nasal/air passages

Easy to say but try not to focus on your T too much - doing so unconciously "tells" your brain that the T sound is important meaning that your brain will focus on it more

Can't help re the vaping as I gave up fags years ago before vaping was even dreamed of

Exactly! I havent even considered Ear Syringing at all and my Doctor(s) didnt even suggest it..

And love the advice for ignoring T - it really is a mental thing as when I focus on something else I can ignore it for a couple minutes. Which is nice, I guess.
Thanks!

 

[CricketsGalore]

A word of warning with nasal sprays... they are highly addictive. I know, I was hooked once for 2 YEARS, and recently for about a year. I got off them only by using FLonase and diluting the nasal spray every night, just with a squirt of plain saline. It still works, but the rebound goes away the more diluted the spray gets. I know my T is from blocked eustachian tube on the right. Also maybe anger, frustration - liver stuff according to Chinese medicine. What helps ALOT is boiling some water with about 1/4 apple cider vinegar in ti, and breathing that in (carefully and gently) through your nostrils - take the pot off the stove and put towel over pan of water and over your head - the ACV opens you right up and the mucus comes out almost instantly. Try it, might help!

 

[nicole m]

April 5 - performed a hearing test by an Audiologist. All tests performed turned out normal and my hearing is fine, no signs of damage. Although the specific test he did to estimate the loudness of my T.

April 7 - went to a Walk-In clinic that had an ENT available. He thinks everything is normal and fine. And the T should go away on its own. Although he did give me discouraging news - if it gets bad for me I may have to consider an alternative career (I am currently a Flight Attendant). He states the possibility is caused by air pressure effecting my middle ear is causing my T. But he gives me the okay to fly?? Wth???
___________
Today:
Honestly speaking, my T can be somewhat bearable as it sounds like the static white noise from a television. At times it can be worse if I barely get sleep. It gets worse at night as well.
But I can still live my life, and I try my very best to disregard it and tell myself its not a big deal.

I am currently using the Flonase nasal spray the ER doctor prescribed to me, and so far I dont feel much of a difference. I have been using it for a week now. My nose still gets a little congested, and my throat feels a little sore. I use it at night time before I sleep, and when I wake up I sometimes spit out some phlegm/mucous. (Sorry TMI)

Alot of feedback tells me to just straight up ignore it and let it "sort itself out." Something deep down tells me there has to be more to this. How can a doctor tell me everything seems "fine" when I dont physically feel it? The T has to be caused by something.
I often feel slight fullness in one ear or the other, my nose is still congested at times. I can feel "woozy" in my head when im up and about and fatigued. My hearing is fine, but not as clear as before.

I am determined to find a specialist who can actually help me.

*trying to stay positive*

 

[nicole m]

A word of warning with nasal sprays... they are highly addictive. I know, I was hooked once for 2 YEARS, and recently for about a year. I got off them only by using FLonase and diluting the nasal spray every night, just with a squirt of plain saline. It still works, but the rebound goes away the more diluted the spray gets. I know my T is from blocked eustachian tube on the right. Also maybe anger, frustration - liver stuff according to Chinese medicine. What helps ALOT is boiling some water with about 1/4 apple cider vinegar in ti, and breathing that in (carefully and gently) through your nostrils - take the pot off the stove and put towel over pan of water and over your head - the ACV opens you right up and the mucus comes out almost instantly. Try it, might help!

I've actually read so much about ACV and Ill take your word for it! Thanks for the method, at this point its worth trying.

 

[dingaling]

Drs often say "you're fine" just to try and reassure people and not worry them.

Have you tried blowing up balloons? Start really, really slowly but don't blow up completely. But do regularly, it's like "exercising" the Eustachian tube muscles and giving them a bit of a workout. If you feel pain, you're blowing too hard or for too long

ACV is also good for a lot of things

 

[nicole m]

April 17 -
My T has spiked today since last night. Ive been using the flonase for about 3 1/2 weeks now and im not sure if its helping with my sinuses.
Ive been using it the standard way just directly up my nose, but last night I tried doing the "correct way" of using the nasal spray for eustachian tubes. https://www.fauquierent.net/etd2.htm.
It made my Tinnitus a high pitched ring now.

Prior to this my T was a low to medium static noise and it was somewhat bearable. I was exercising a little more as well.
I was also prescribed amoxicillin for a potential sinus infection, i dont feel much of a difference. I have three more days of the pills. 500mg x 3 with meals everyday until its done.

If i go to a doctor they wont do anything to help. Ive been to many doctors. It is highly difficult to get an ENT specialist in the mississauga/toronto area. My referall appointment isnt until may 7.

I dont know what i will do about work. Im a flight attendant.

I thought things were improving but this setback is totally letting me down.

 

[Christaph]

Hey, I had sudden tinnitus from nowhere. I just sat and watched videos on youtube. I realised what caused sudden tinnitus in my situation. I had Wifi router in the main room, so I sat with my phone and held it in front of me, so Wifi signals were going through my head, Wifi signals are dangerous for plants, animals, insects, people (cells and organs), that's why I got it.

Your situation was that you flied very often, that caused air pressure in your ears. If you still have tinnitus:
1. If you think about it'll make you deaf, don't worry you won't be, unless you'll stick or pour anything in your ears.
2. It must be long-term tinnitus, wait 4 months, unless it's very loud or it hurts in ear.
3. Don't ever buy anything that's advertised on TV (like cure for tinnitus), it will worsen it.
4. I had tinnitus in 2017, I went to otolaryngolog, I said I had wax, she cleaned my ears with water, after day I didn't have tinnitus. You could try water method, even if you don't have wax, sometimes it's something small next to eardrum that causes itching and tinnitus.
5. If you have infection, use antibiotics, you can also sign for operation if you have ruptured eardrum.

Wish you the best, hope tinnitus goes away for you. Don't ever allow tinnitus to make you crazy, just don't care or think about it everyday, it'll help.

 

[Holly1987]

Hey, I had sudden tinnitus from nowhere. I just sat and watched videos on youtube. I realised what caused sudden tinnitus in my situation. I had Wifi router in the main room, so I sat with my phone and held it in front of me, so Wifi signals were going through my head, Wifi signals are dangerous for plants, animals, insects, people (cells and organs), that's why I got it.

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www...-need-to-hear-about-wifi-and-cancer-risk/amp/

 

[nicole m]

Hey, I had sudden tinnitus from nowhere. I just sat and watched videos on youtube. I realised what caused sudden tinnitus in my situation. I had Wifi router in the main room, so I sat with my phone and held it in front of me, so Wifi signals were going through my head, Wifi signals are dangerous for plants, animals, insects, people (cells and organs), that's why I got it.

Your situation was that you flied very often, that caused air pressure in your ears. If you still have tinnitus:
1. If you think about it'll make you deaf, don't worry you won't be, unless you'll stick or pour anything in your ears.
2. It must be long-term tinnitus, wait 4 months, unless it's very loud or it hurts in ear.
3. Don't ever buy anything that's advertised on TV (like cure for tinnitus), it will worsen it.
4. I had tinnitus in 2017, I went to otolaryngolog, I said I had wax, she cleaned my ears with water, after day I didn't have tinnitus. You could try water method, even if you don't have wax, sometimes it's something small next to eardrum that causes itching and tinnitus.
5. If you have infection, use antibiotics, you can also sign for operation if you have ruptured eardrum.

Wish you the best, hope tinnitus goes away for you. Don't ever allow tinnitus to make you crazy, just don't care or think about it everyday, it'll help.

Christaph,
Thank you so much for your kind words and helpful advice. Really. Everyday is different and it fluctuates alot - some days are very good and some days I have to pull through. I always tell myself "I'm bigger than this thing" but reading responses like yours is always reassuring and encouraging.
I wish you all the best as well!