Tinnitus After Minor Head Injury

Hello Everyone,

I’m a 69-year-old Welshman who is lucky enough to live in small village in the Italian Alps. I’m overweight and suffer from Type 2 diabetes. Here’s my story:

A couple of weeks ago I was watering my plants on my terrace when I slipped, fell backwards and I hit the back of my head on the edge of a step. This caused a small injury (4 stitches) and I was stunned and in shock for a little while. I went to the Emergency Room at my local hospital who stitched me up and carried out a CT scan which was negative.

A few days later, while about to go to sleep, I began hearing a low volume humming type noise which I initially thought was my “bloody neighbours”. It sounded a bit like the distant vibration you hear from a fridge, electricity sub-station or some other kind of machinery. Night time here is extremely quiet so the noise was quite disturbing. Over the following week or so the noise came and went, always at the same low volume. My partner could hear nothing. The noise would also go away when I distanced myself from the house.

Two days ago I woke up still convinced the noise I could hear had an external source. Then I turned my head and the noise disappeared, when turned my head back it started again. I then turned to the internet and discovered the world of tinnitus.

Compared to the stories I’ve read here, I seem to have a very mild intermittent case, so I’m very lucky in that sense. Having researched the topic a little I’ve begun using “pink noise” with a rainfall sound which I play through headphones while using my computer. This makes the noise inaudible. Today, after doing so for the past couple of hours, the noise seems to have disappeared for now, which is probably coincidental. I’ve got a set of speakers arriving today that I will be able to use at night with a white noise generator app I’ve downloaded for my phone.

I strongly suspect that my symptoms were caused by the bang on my head, although I’ve read that diabetes may also be a causal factor. From what I’ve learned there doesn’t seem to be much else I can do, other than getting my “diagnosis” confirmed by a specialist. While the health service in my part of Italy is very good, it would take between 3 and 4 months before I would get to see a specialist as it is doubtful that my case would be considered to be urgent. I will see my family doctor next week to hear what she thinks.

I’m hoping, probably futilely, that my “tinnitus”, if that’s what it is, will go away on its own.

I would be very grateful for any other advice or suggestions as to what else I can do.

Thank you for your time and I apologise for the wall of text.

 

Welcome to the forum. Yes, I have read that hitting the head can cause tinnitus. But life can go back to normal, especially if you don't focus on it, as this will make it less and less noticeable. The one success story I remember from head injury is from @Aaron. He suffered much more serious head injury induced tinnitus to the point he said he was suicidal. He was dumped by his fiancée in the process. But he survived his tinnitus and he enjoys life by traveling the world. So don't worry much. Take good care. God bless your recovery.

Aaron's success story:

Who Said Our Life Is All About Tinnitus? I Share with You Some Pictures I Took After