Upper Cervical Osteoarthritis and Instability as Potential Factors in Tinnitus Symptoms

[Cole.S]

Hi Everyone,

It has been over a year now since my tinnitus began. Like many of you, I have good days and bad days, although most days are not particularly easy.

I have seen two ENTs. The first suggested sinus surgery but admitted it would not fix the tinnitus. (The sinusitis cleared up but has since returned on follow-up scans.) I also saw a neurologist who did not review my scans and simply told me to listen to piano music. I trialed hearing aids for masking, but they made things worse. Psychologists who specialize in tinnitus have just said, "Don't think about it." I am sure many of us have heard that one... haha.

Anyway, the purpose of this post is twofold:

1. Is anyone's tinnitus affected by specific movements? My tinnitus is primarily on the left side and increases with left rotation and right lateral flexion of the head only. Other neck movements do not seem to make much of a difference.
   
   
2. Cervical spine findings. As part of my workup, I had a cervical spine MRI, which reported that C1 to C3 are well preserved. Since I am a physiotherapist, I took myself for a cervical X-ray with an open-mouth view. The difference between my scan and a normal one is striking. I am only 36, but the arthritis looks quite significant. I am puzzled that my MRI could be reported as normal. You can clearly see reduced joint space between C1 and C2 (the one with the "peg" in the middle).

My point is this: continue investigating if you feel something is not right. I will keep everyone posted on how things go with the management of my cervical spine.