Tinnitus Markedly Changed by a Neck Movement

[GoatSheep]

So this has only happened on 4 occasions and I can't replicate it so I don't know the exact movement or anything.

When I turn my head to the right at this particular angle my tinnitus which is normally a 8kHzish "eeeeeeee" immediately changes to a "this is a test of the emergency broadcast system" tone in my right ear. The first three times the left ear then began to have almost like a vacuum suction sound in it. This last time nothing. The first three times I was not medicated. Currently on clonazepam which markedly reduces the intensity of my tinnitus. So I don't know if that is a factor in why the left ear didn't react.

The first time this happened was actually like 8 months before I developed tinnitus as in it happened then stopped almost immediately when I moved my head again and nothing till onset of constant tinnitus like 8 months later. After onset the 2 other incidents occurred almost back to back sitting on my couch within the first two weeks of constant tinnitus. Then this last incident was last night in bed.

Also, I took a taper pack of prednisone for an unrelated contact dermatitis and since then I've barely had any tinnitus in my left ear period or any of what I would consider "head" tinnitus. During that time the right ear actually also had periodic silence. So I don't know if the prednisone was also a factor in the left ear not reacting this last time

I have bilateral osteomas of the internal auditory canal. With these symptoms would you think that it's more likely that mytinnitus is related to the osteomas or less likely.

Perhaps @Greg Sacramento would have some info. Thanks.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@GoatSheep If you had tinnitus on the right side and had exostoses on the left iIAC, or visa versa, then this would not be responsible for symptoms of tone changes.
Bilateral osteomas of the internal auditory canal is very rare. It would appear that your condition is stable. Was yours discovered by MRI or high resolution CT?
It's possible that an allergy infection or reaction that may cause facial weakness was responsible for your described tones. Wish I could help more, but this is a tough one.

Update: One other though.
There are air containing sinuses - mastoids. When it shows on the left side, the air component of the mastoid is less on the opposite side.

Whatever the tone change cause is, there's unbalance of trauma - side to side. It would not be arteries, but the sternocleidomastoid - unbalance from side to side could cause your tones and difference between ears.

 

[GoatSheep]

@GoatSheep If you had tinnitus on the right side and had exostoses on the left iIAC, or visa versa, then this would not be responsible for symptoms of tone changes.
Bilateral osteomas of the internal auditory canal is very rare. It would appear that your condition is stable. Was yours discovered by MRI or high resolution CT?
It's possible that an allergy infection or reaction that may cause facial weakness was responsible for your described tones. Wish I could help more, but this is a tough one.

Update: One other though.
There are air containing sinuses - mastoids. When it shows on the left side, the air component of the mastoid is less on the opposite side.

Whatever the tone change cause is, there's unbalance of trauma - side to side. It would not be arteries, but the sternocleidomastoid - unbalance from side to side could cause your tones and difference between ears.

They were found on a CT Scan. I had a previous MRI but it was from a neurologist who wasn't looking for ear issues so once they saw them on CT they went back and confirmed on the MRI also from my understanding.

I included my audiometry results for regular and high frequency tests. I also had an ABR done for hidden hearing loss that came back "normal". I don't have an image of the results for it though.

I also have hyperacusis. Is hyperacusis always indicative of a noise trauma?

 

[Greg Sacramento]

Is hyperacusis always indicative of a noise trauma?

@Michael Leigh would be able to discuss this with you.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I also have hyperacusis. Is hyperacusis always indicative of a noise trauma?

Thank you @Greg Sacramento

@GoatSheep

I have read your first post to this forum. Although you don't know what caused your tinnitus it is usually caused by something. Exposure to loud noise typically, listening to music through headphones at too high a volume or attending places such as clubs or concerts where loud music is played.

When a person develops tinnitus due to exposure to loud noise, often a person will experience hyperacusis too but not always.

Please click on the links below and read my posts.
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

 

[GoatSheep]

Thank you @Greg Sacramento

@GoatSheep

I have read your first post to this forum. Although you don't know what caused your tinnitus it is usually caused by something. Exposure to loud noise typically, listening to music through headphones at too high a volume or attending places such as clubs or concerts where loud music is played.

When a person develops tinnitus due to exposure to loud noise, often a person will experience hyperacusis too but not always.

Please click on the links below and read my posts.
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/new-to-tinnitus-what-to-do.12558/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hyperacusis-as-i-see-it.19174/

Thanks I will look at the posts. So you are saying hyperacusis only comes with noise exposure as the cause?

 

[Michael Leigh]

So you are saying hyperacusis only comes with noise exposure as the cause?

No, I am not saying that. I am saying in most cases (but not all) hyperacusis is usually a result of "Noise trauma".

When a person is exposed to loud noise and they develop tinnitus in a lot of instances, they will also develop hyperacus but not always. Loud noise exposure opens up the auditory pathways within the brain and they become "highly" sensitised which can result in hyperacusis, having an acute sensitivity to sound or certain sounds. Depending on how severe the noise exposure was and the person, will detmine if the auditory system will repair itself over time or specialist treatment is required with a Hearing Therapist/Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management. This is not a quick fix. It can take 12 to 18 months or longer to recover with or without treatment.

Michael

 

[GoatSheep]

No, I am not saying that. I am saying in most cases (but not all) hyperacusis is usually a result of "Noise trauma".

When a person is exposed to loud noise and they develop tinnitus in a lot of instances, they will also develop hyperacus but not always. Loud noise exposure opens up the auditory pathways within the brain and they become "highly" sensitised which can result in hyperacusis, having an acute sensitivity to sound or certain sounds. Depending on how severe the noise exposure was and the person, will detmine if the auditory system will repair itself over time of specialist treatment is required with a Hearing Therapist /Audiologist that specialises in tinnitus and hyperacusis management. This is not a quick fix. It can take 12 to 18 months or longer to recover with or without treatment.

Michael

Ok thanks for the clarification.

 

[GoatSheep]

@GoatSheep If you had tinnitus on the right side and had exostoses on the left iIAC, or visa versa, then this would not be responsible for symptoms of tone changes.
Bilateral osteomas of the internal auditory canal is very rare. It would appear that your condition is stable. Was yours discovered by MRI or high resolution CT?
It's possible that an allergy infection or reaction that may cause facial weakness was responsible for your described tones. Wish I could help more, but this is a tough one.

Update: One other though.
There are air containing sinuses - mastoids. When it shows on the left side, the air component of the mastoid is less on the opposite side.

Whatever the tone change cause is, there's unbalance of trauma - side to side. It would not be arteries, but the sternocleidomastoid - unbalance from side to side could cause your tones and difference between ears.

Could a chiropractic adjustment have caused this imbalance with the sternocleidomastoud? I just find it weird I had an instance of this that was very brief. Only like a few second 8 months before my actual tinnitus started. And when it started it didn't start with these tones. Like to say they only appeared again when my neck was in a certain position?

 

[Greg Sacramento]

Could a chiropractic adjustment have caused this imbalance with the sternocleidomastoud?

Yes.

sitting on my couch

Is your couch a hard surface or soft?
Do you have neck radiological notes from CT and MRI?
Stand in front of a wall mirror and see if shoulders are same height.

Can you relate to anything in this link?
http://www.natural-solutions-for-muscle-pain.com/sternocleidomastoid-muscle.html

Do you ever feel shaking or have vibrating head - headaches - pain behind eyes?

Sensory nerves - cranial nerves #8 and #11. --- possible
https://teachmeanatomy.info/head/cranial-nerves/summary/

If you can answer the four highlights, then I can narrow the cause of your sounds down. I will then have a good idea which neck muscles and/or nerves are involved.

 

[GoatSheep]

My

Yes.



Is your couch a hard surface or soft?
Do you have neck radiological notes from CT and MRI?
Stand in front of a wall mirror and see if shoulders are same height.

Can you relate to anything in this link?
http://www.natural-solutions-for-muscle-pain.com/sternocleidomastoid-muscle.html

Do you ever feel shaking or have vibrating head - headaches - pain behind eyes?

Sensory nerves - cranial nerves #8 and #11. --- possible
https://teachmeanatomy.info/head/cranial-nerves/summary/

If you can answer the four highlights, then I can narrow the cause of your sounds down. I will then have a good idea which neck muscles and/or nerves are involved.

My couch is pretty cushiony so soft.

No I don't have any notes from them. I could see about getting a copy possibly.

Yes my shoulders are the same height, but I have bad posture for sure. Rounded shoulders and forward head posture. I am a Bruxer and wear a mouth guard. I often find myself cocking my head to one side inadvertently and when I look up at things I angle my neck back probably poorly.

I have cheek pain and what feels like nerve pain but only since the development of my tinnitus. None prior.

Also, since developing tinnitus I've developed constant ear popping. None prior

I definitely have bad allergies and post nasal drip. I have had septoplasty to help breath through my nose. Post nasal drip in large part due to GERD.

I had whiplash from a car accident as a young kid and had neck problems. Mostly seemed to clear up as a teenager.

No shaking or vibrating head. Don't get headaches very often. Moreso since developing tinnitus. Possibly stress related. No eye pain.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

OK - you like me have a long list.
I will need notes or film from MRI and CT and any other radiological testing including neck X rays and oral cavity and jaw.
I will need details on any dental treatment.

I think that your mention of whiplash may still be responsible. With that, complications such as arthritis can set in later on. Neck to jaw complication from whiplash causing you to be a Bruxer, then causing sinus and then ear popping. GERD is common with all this.

Two more questions for now - does throat hurt and do have any salvia problems?


We should use the PM messaging feature.

 

[GoatSheep]

I have periodic issues with globus sensation in my throat from GERD.

I have dry mouth but I'm taking Clonazepam and singulair.

I have dry eye syndrome, dry scalp and skin but I've been tested for Sjogrens and it came back negative.

I don't have the option to PM you. Is there a feature I have to turn on in my settings?

 

[Amber Franco]

@Greg Sacramento

I first want to say that finding this site and reading all of your posts has been most inspiring for me. I am a believer that there is hope for PT.

A brief backstory on my somatic pulsatile tinnitus, which occurred just 3 weeks ago. I was under an extreme amount of stress a month prior and I carry all my stress in my neck, mouth and head. I have TMJ, clench my mouth and experiences tension migraines (mostly originating in the back of my head). Although lately I'm wondering if my "tension headaches" are possibly "tmj headaches". That's another story.

One day I was feeling pain/discomfort in my neck and ear with fullness. I'll spare you the details, as with everyone was misdiagnosed twice and found out it was really an inflamed sternocleidomastoid pushing up against my ear. My neck felt extremely kinked and stiff so I did some neck rotations (side to side and circular) within seconds I heard this loud wind sound (whoosing) in my left ear.

Thus I'm here today. I've been told to wear a night guard, lower my stress, eat soft foods and warm compress. Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment to discuss my tmj.

I have read some of your posts, maybe a lot and it sounds like perhaps it really is my sternocleidomastoid or perhaps also my C1 and C2? As we know we all have to look out for ourselves and after several misdiagnoses I'm trying to be proactive.

I know your swamped with messages, and we all including me appreciate your time and knowledge!!