Tinnitus - (ear noise) - anyone have this?

[busymama77]

This just started with me tonight and it's in my right ear. It sounds like purring and it's pulsating. It's not really loud, but yet it's bugging the heck out me!

Anyone ever experience this? How long should I wait before I call the doctor? There are some home remedies I could do and it says to avoid caffeine and alcohol - ack! Other things are to sleep with my head elevated and have something going as 'white noise'.

[Naturopath Mom]

What caused it do you have any idea? Do you have fillings or recent dental work? Possible ear infection?

[tanyalynn]

I've read of it resolving in some people after B12 supplementation--so clearly that would only help if you're low in B12, but it's one thing to consider.

[busymama77]

Originally Posted by Naturopath Mom

What caused it do you have any idea? Do you have fillings or recent dental work? Possible ear infection?

I have no idea. It didn't start until after I had an MRI done last week.... and that was for my shoulder. There's no pain associated with it. I will look in to the B12 supplement, though. Thank you! Ugh, I'm just falling apart and I'm only 33!

[Siennaflower]

Could be related to wax build up or fluid in the inner ear, too.

[Mackenzie]

I have it bad and have as long as I can remember... I've never tried B12 tho.... I just live with it...

[KimPM]

Originally Posted by busymama77

I have no idea. It didn't start until after I had an MRI done last week.... and that was for my shoulder. There's no pain associated with it. I will look in to the B12 supplement, though. Thank you! Ugh, I'm just falling apart and I'm only 33!

Have you taken any aspirin? I had this happen once when I had taken too much aspirin. I suppose any other NSAID or pain med could cause it as well. I also get it occasionally just randomly.

[Naturopath Mom]

Sounds like it might be easy to solve, chronic tinnitus can be difficult though. Maybe try some Ginko?

[eireann]

do you grind your teeth or have TMJ? tinnitus can be a symptom of TMJ. i have the occasional ringing. it stinks, and i sympathize. i go to phys therapy and it helps relieve the tension in my jaw, neck, etc. tmj can wreak havoc of everything from your jaw, eyes, neck, shoulders, scalenes, arm, fingers...the list goes on. its really manageable though.

[mellowjello]

I get ringing from yeast growth or die off, but it doesn't pulsate.

That is interesting about B12. I was very deficient due to a prolonged illness and had to correct with injections. I don't remember if the ringing got better. I think I am low in B12 again.

[SquishyKitty]

I have really scarred eustachian tubes from chronic ear infections as a child.

As such, my right ear doesn't drain properly when I get a fluid buildup, and my ear rings loudly until the fluid drains. it also rings whenever I am getting sick, for some reason.

I would get it checked out to make sure you don't have any fluids built up or an ear infection starting. There isn't a lot they can do if it is, but if it is fluids, they can give you some anti-inflammatory and possibly something to dry up the fluids, like psudoephedrine.

[busymama77]

This isn't a ringing sound, though, it's a purring sound. Just like a cat very very softly purring in your ear. I bought the B12 and will give that a try. But I think it's a build up of wax because my ears feel full and congested, but no pain.

[sweeetpea]

I have it - have had it for years. The audiologist says it is related to my hearing loss (lots of people with hearing loss also have tinnitus) and I really cannot do anything for it.

The sounds I get are assorted: a background hum, clicks, chirping, ringing. Most of the time I am able to ignore them. They aren't so bad when I wear my hearing aids, but I have el-cheapo hearing aids and they fit terribly, so I don't wear them so often. I am saving up the thousands of dollars I need for new, really good, programmable digital ones. Maybe by next year.

I think I'll try the B12, too. Can't hurt, right?

[Siennaflower]

Originally Posted by eireann

do you grind your teeth or have TMJ? tinnitus can be a symptom of TMJ. i have the occasional ringing. it stinks, and i sympathize. i go to phys therapy and it helps relieve the tension in my jaw, neck, etc. tmj can wreak havoc of everything from your jaw, eyes, neck, shoulders, scalenes, arm, fingers...the list goes on. its really manageable though.

That's very interesting. I have/do both and have been dealing with tinnitus for the last year. Thanks for the info, I'll definitely be looking into it.

Originally Posted by busymama77

This isn't a ringing sound, though, it's a purring sound. Just like a cat very very softly purring in your ear. I bought the B12 and will give that a try. But I think it's a build up of wax because my ears feel full and congested, but no pain.

That actually sounds very similar to the sound and feeling I get when I have fluid in my inner ear from allergies. If you see a Dr. they have a small device that can detect fluid pretty easily and they can prescribe something to dry it up.

[koru]

I've had tinnitus for years & have just been living with it. In my 20s I saw an ENT & had an audiogram but nothing showed up. But....I recently went to another ENT to see about my chronic post-nasal drip & after some testing and another audiogram, she diagnosed me with otosclerosis. It's main symptom is hearing loss (which I have but thought it was congestion related to the PND) but tinnitus can be part of it.

OP, this may not be your issue but I wanted to throw it out there for anyone else who may have tinnitus & hearing loss.

[busymama77]

So should I call my doctor or let the B12 run its course??

[BedHead]

I get tinnitus and I also get a ticking/purring sound which is something different, from air behind my eardrum somewhere. I've had both for years and have never tried anything to really get rid of them.