Hi All,
I'm new to the site and I figured I'd share my experience with tinnitus thus far:
One morning in May 2017, I woke up to my ears ringing. Given the fact that I was coming off an SSRI (properly, advised by psychiatrist) and recently battling allergies for the first time, I figured it was a side effect of the medicine and I'd carry on.
Three months later, I decide to see an ENT. He looks into my eardrum and says all looks fine. No fluid, no excess ear wax, or anything to be concerned about. I told him it's been months since I've had this ringing and he schedules a hearing test for me. I pass the hearing exam with flying colors. No hearing loss - or anything out of the ordinary.
It is now December and the ringing is still prevalent. I've tried popping my ears, massing my neck/SCM, and even cutting back on caffeine. I've deduced a few likely origins of the tinnitus:
1) My job is very stressful and I've recently gone through a period of heavy work weeks (50-65 hour weeks) alongside commute.
2) I have TMJ(D)/bruxisim. I grind my teeth at night and as a result of the SSRI, I tend to be grinding my teeth at night which apparently can cause TMJ. My psychiatrist advised I seek out acupuncture, as she too has tinnitus and it provides relief
3) Side effect of the SSRI - less likely, but still possible
4) Allergies/fluid trapped in the ear - again, less likely, but still possible.
My tinnitus is a high-frequency mainly in the right ear, but fluctuates to the left on occasion. It's somatic in the sense that I can manipulate the intensity by clenching my jaw and moving my neck.
My steps moving forward are to lower the music, avoid using headphones when possible, try to relax/de-stress, and seek out acupuncture for the TMJ(D). I look forward to interacting with the community here.
Best,
Joshua
I'm new to the site and I figured I'd share my experience with tinnitus thus far:
One morning in May 2017, I woke up to my ears ringing. Given the fact that I was coming off an SSRI (properly, advised by psychiatrist) and recently battling allergies for the first time, I figured it was a side effect of the medicine and I'd carry on.
Three months later, I decide to see an ENT. He looks into my eardrum and says all looks fine. No fluid, no excess ear wax, or anything to be concerned about. I told him it's been months since I've had this ringing and he schedules a hearing test for me. I pass the hearing exam with flying colors. No hearing loss - or anything out of the ordinary.
It is now December and the ringing is still prevalent. I've tried popping my ears, massing my neck/SCM, and even cutting back on caffeine. I've deduced a few likely origins of the tinnitus:
1) My job is very stressful and I've recently gone through a period of heavy work weeks (50-65 hour weeks) alongside commute.
2) I have TMJ(D)/bruxisim. I grind my teeth at night and as a result of the SSRI, I tend to be grinding my teeth at night which apparently can cause TMJ. My psychiatrist advised I seek out acupuncture, as she too has tinnitus and it provides relief
3) Side effect of the SSRI - less likely, but still possible
4) Allergies/fluid trapped in the ear - again, less likely, but still possible.
My tinnitus is a high-frequency mainly in the right ear, but fluctuates to the left on occasion. It's somatic in the sense that I can manipulate the intensity by clenching my jaw and moving my neck.
My steps moving forward are to lower the music, avoid using headphones when possible, try to relax/de-stress, and seek out acupuncture for the TMJ(D). I look forward to interacting with the community here.
Best,
Joshua
Member
