Worsening Tinnitus After Microsuction: Electrical Buzzing, Sound Sensitivity, and the Search for Relief

[Brave Zebra]

Hi everyone,

I've had very mild tinnitus for about 20 years. I got used to it, and it didn't bother me much. However, more recently, I developed an electrical buzzing sound that seems to be on the left side. I decided to have my ears microsuctioned in February, and the tinnitus became worse. I also became sensitive to sound, although the sensitivity has improved somewhat. The electrical buzzing sound remains and seems to be more noticeable when there is background noise. For some reason, in a quiet setting, my brain seems to filter it better. It does not go away, though. There is also ringing that comes and goes, with changes in tone and volume.

Leading up to the new electrical buzzing sound, I had been experiencing neck and head pain, headaches, TMJ issues, and stress. I also developed cubital tunnel syndrome in my left arm. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, so I don't know if that could be a factor in the tinnitus.

I went through the usual fight or flight response, which of course heightened the tinnitus and made the situation worse. I have it somewhat better controlled now, although it remains quite bothersome. At times, I feel like I don't want to exist anymore. I can't relax with music because I just hear the tinnitus over it.

I'm going through the motions with diet changes and supplements, but I am not expecting anything. I just want to see if anything might help. A blood test showed some abnormalities, although my GP does not seem concerned. The results suggest inflammation, which is not surprising given my EDS.

Maybe things will improve with time, since I don't really know the cause. The tinnitus is better controlled when I am able to ignore it, although that becomes impossible when there is background noise. I feel like I could habituate if background noise did not set it off.

Here's hoping research into tinnitus will bring all of us some relief soon.

 

[Brave Zebra]

I saw my GP today about my tinnitus, but it is clear the NHS is not interested in helping us. I have a referral to see an ENT, but I know it will be pointless. They do not seem to care about finding out what is causing the tinnitus. They are not interested in the neck and head pain I am experiencing. To be referred for an MRI, there would need to be a realistic chance that surgery is required. I suppose this is one way for the NHS to reduce waiting lists.

I am feeling frustrated. I also wanted to try being prescribed low-dose Naltrexone because I heard it can help with widespread pain, fatigue, chronic inflammation, and, of course, tinnitus. Apparently, only a specialist can prescribe it.

I am trying to sort out my life, which the government claims to support, yet I cannot get the help I need.

 

[Brave Zebra]

The tinnitus continues to be annoying but sometimes fluctuates. Either it becomes less severe at times, or my brain filters it out better.

I started taking Ginkgo Biloba and L-Arginine for blood flow, but they did not help. I also started taking L-Taurine to see if it would calm activity in my brain, but there has been no change after a couple of weeks. Maybe it will take longer, but I am not expecting much success.

Personally, I think the cause of my tinnitus is a combination of Eustachian tube dysfunction along with something else. It could be TMJ dysfunction, nerve compression, or something neck related. Possibly something entirely different. I may try using a saline nasal spray for a while to see if it helps ease congestion. I am reluctant to use a steroid nasal spray because it is not recommended for my condition.

I also need to consider factors related to having EDS, since conditions like Chiari Malformation can occur in some of us and can also cause tinnitus.

I have noticed that when I am lying on my left side, the fluttering in my right ear gets worse if I am listening to something. I do not know if there is a muscle spasm happening, or if it is just Eustachian tube dysfunction.

This week, I decided to have a massage and was surprised at how tense many of my back and neck muscles are. I will continue to have more massages over the coming weeks to see if it helps.

At some point, I may get a night mouth guard because I know I tend to clench my teeth. So far, I have tried some jaw stretching exercises from a YouTube video.

I am also considering starting Creatine supplementation again because I heard it helps reduce lactic acid production, and I do tend to exercise regularly. In addition, my Creatine levels are below the normal range. I may also start taking a BCAA powder to make sure I am getting all the nutrients I need.

I may update this from time to time in case it helps someone one day. This does not seem to be a very supportive forum, so I am not going to spend much time here.

 

[MindOverMatter]

I may update this from time to time in case it helps someone one day. This does not seem to be a very supportive forum, so I am not going to spend much time here.

I've read your posts, and I understand that you're frustrated. I can tell you with confidence that no ENT is likely to pinpoint the exact cause of your tinnitus. The reality is that the majority of cases are noise-induced, although there are also many other possible causes or contributing factors that can lead to its onset or make it worse.

True somatic tinnitus is actually quite rare, but many people have somatic components.

Leading up to the new electrical buzzing sound, I had been experiencing neck and head pain, headaches, TMJ issues, and stress.

Very common. Your timeline is somewhat similar to mine. I had 15 years of stable tinnitus and was 100% habituated until "lightning" struck me in 2019, and my tinnitus became ten times worse, accompanied by hyperacusis.

The biggest obstacle to getting better is often the constant search for answers you are unlikely to find, unless there is an obvious medical reason behind it. It is more helpful to focus on managing stress, getting relaxing massages, going for walks, shifting your attention away from the tinnitus, and so on. Things will get better for you again with time.

Given the title of your post and what you have written, the most likely reason for your worsening is the microsuction procedure, unfortunately. Many people with existing tinnitus have experienced worsening after this, along with developing some degree of sound sensitivity.

It is generally better to have the ENT use a curette to remove impacted earwax.

All the best on your journey.

 

[Brave Zebra]

I can tell you with confidence that no ENT is likely to pinpoint the exact cause of your tinnitus. The reality is that the majority of cases are noise-induced, although there are also many other possible causes or contributing factors that can lead to its onset or make it worse.

Yes, I agree they likely won't help much. It's just something I feel I need to do at this time, I suppose. We all lose hearing as we age, but it sucks that some of us get tinnitus alongside it. My Grandma couldn't hear a smoke alarm, so they clearly had higher frequency hearing loss, yet had no tinnitus. I can deal with hearing loss but want the tinnitus silenced.

I read that tinnitus is common with some types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. I may write to an EDS charity I know to find out the likely reasons.

The biggest obstacle to getting better is often the constant search for answers you are unlikely to find, unless there is an obvious medical reason behind it. It is more helpful to focus on managing stress, getting relaxing massages, going for walks, shifting your attention away from the tinnitus, and so on. Things will get better for you again with time.

Desperation makes us search, I suppose. Once I've gone through it, I feel like I'll just try to accept my situation. Right now, I'm struggling with that. I agree with stress management and do focus on that each day. If I stop hearing the tinnitus over the top of everything, I think I will find it easier to relax. I don't always hear the tinnitus over everything, so maybe that's good news.

Given the title of your post and what you have written, the most likely reason for your worsening is the microsuction procedure, unfortunately. Many people with existing tinnitus have experienced worsening after this, along with developing some degree of sound sensitivity.

I had the shrieking, hissing sound before the microsuction but it was less intense. Maybe the microsuction made things worse, or perhaps the tinnitus was going to get worse anyway. Some of the sensitivity has settled down a bit, at least.

It is generally better to have the ENT use a curette to remove impacted earwax.

I've decided to use an olive oil ear spray once a month to get the wax moving. The wax tends to build up in my left ear, so I hope the spray will help. I'm not planning to have my ears microsuctioned again.

All the best on your journey.

Thank you, and thanks for replying to my thread; I appreciate it!

 

[MindOverMatter]

I can deal with hearing loss but want the tinnitus silenced.

I know exactly where you are coming from. I have moderate hearing loss myself.

Having tinnitus completely silenced is very unlikely, although that is a natural and understandable thought when thinking about the process of habituation.

For me, habituation is almost as good as silence. It means that tinnitus does not bother me most of the time, or it does not interfere with my life to a degree that significantly affects my overall well-being.

 

[Brave Zebra]

I know exactly where you are coming from. I have moderate hearing loss myself.

Having tinnitus completely silenced is very unlikely, although that is a natural and understandable thought when thinking about the process of habituation.

For me, habituation is almost as good as silence. It means that tinnitus does not bother me most of the time, or it does not interfere with my life to a degree that significantly affects my overall well-being.

I do not know what a hearing test will show for me yet. I have never had one, but I hope to after the ENT appointment. I would suspect mild hearing loss at most. The only time I really struggle with hearing is in noisy environments when people are talking.

Maybe research will at least reveal how to lessen the intensity of tinnitus. That would be nice. Personally, I do not have high hopes, because it seems unlikely that much will be discovered anytime soon, if ever.

Yes, habituation is a good place to be. Perhaps in a year, I will be closer to that point. If it is quiet and I am forced to "listen" to my tinnitus, I no longer tend to react emotionally, so I suppose that is an improvement.

The difference between my EDS and tinnitus is that when the pain is bad, I could, in theory, take pain medication. With tinnitus, I am aware there is nothing that takes the edge off, which is a scary thought.