Ringing in the ears (Tinictinitus?)

[Aquamore]

I'm not too crazy yet.

Plinky plinky plink plonk! - (Playing Mozarts concerto in D-minor).

Thanks for your reply and support.

In the words of that other Austrian "I'll be BACH".

Aquamore
Allan

 

[donacheson]

Originally posted by Aquamore
Hi Doc

Is there any cure for (I hope I am spelling it right?) Tinicinnitus (sounds like thousands of tiny bells ringing or a high pitched whistle)?

Aquamore:help:

Chalk mine up to advanced middle (old?) age. It's only a nuisance when I'm wide awake but trying to go to sleep.

 

[Aquamore]

Donacheson.

Do you have it on both ears?

Aquamore

 

[donacheson]

Originally posted by Aquamore
Donacheson.

Do you have it on both ears?

Aquamore

Yes.

 

[Aquamore]

I admire your sanity though, I don't think I could handle it very well if I had it in both ears! (There again, I am barking mad already, so I expect the only change in me would be improvement).

Aquamore

 

[DivingDoc]

Originally posted by Aquamore
Hi Doc

Is there any cure for (I hope I am spelling it right?) Tinicinnitus (sounds like thousands of tiny bells ringing or a high pitched whistle)?

Aquamore:help:

Hi --

I agree with DocVinkingo. Most tinnitus is benign and of undiscernable cause. However, if the tinnitus is of recent onset, you should see an ear, nose and throat specialist first of all to check your hearing. Sometimes tinnitus is associated with a hearing loss, which can be due to something as simple as being plugged up with wax to nerve damage. Two more serious disorders that can be associated with tinnitus, but are relatively uncommon are acoustic neuroma and Meniere's Disease. Acoustic neuroma is a tumor that grows around the 8th (acoustic) nerve -- one that goes from the inner ear to the brainstem and transmits the sensations of hearing and balance to the brain. Meniere's Disease is (as far as I know) of unknown cause and is associated with attacks of tinnitus, vertigo (ever sat on a piano stool and got spun around and afterward feel like you're still spinning?) and sometimes nausea.

These last two conditions are rare, but if you are having any dizzyness/vertigo associated with the tinnitus, you should see a specialist.

A few more things: reducing caffeine intake may help. Also, excess use of certain drugs -- especially aspirin and aspirin-like drugs -- may cause the problem and so if you are taking these, try cutting down or stopping fot a while. A few people think ginko helps, but this has not been proven. It can be associated with TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) syndrome may also be associated and treating the inflammation that is involved with that also can help. In any case, see your friendly ENT.

Two questions to DocVikingo ::doctor: 1) What is a "medical regulator? and 2) how does one clear one's ears improperly (so as to cause tinnitus)?

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi DivingDoc,

1. A "medical regulator" is a board personage along the lines of those dragons you refer to in your closing.

Seriously, regulators/moderators are frequent & senior participants, hopefully with some area(s) of expertise, who regularly monitor the board and have the capability to relocate, delete & edit the posts of others. Our basic function is to keep an active board organized, accurate of info & civil in demeanor.

2. Improper clearing would include not clearing in a timely fashion on descent (e.g., not equalizing early & often), not correctly managing reverse block on ascent & performing maneuvers like the Valsalva with excessive force.

Responsive?

DocVikingo

 

[Aquamore]

Thanks for your advice and interest. I should give you some background about this first:

I only have it in my left ear. I got mine several decades ago when a careless colleague fired a rifle close to my ear and I wasn't wearing ear protection.

I have seen several ENT Specialists (Or consultants as they are known in the UK), and had my ears syringed 3 times.
The quality of my hearing did not change (after they had dried out ofcourse), and I have never had any dificulty in performing the Valsalva test, infact ear clearing/equalisation has never been a problem. My Eustachean tubes are like well used condoms, my naso pharynx is like the 'Channel tunnels - Dover to Calais return, and diving does not affect my hearing.
I do not suffer from vertigo, nausea, disorientation or any of the other symptoms you mentioned.
I do not use Asprin at all and if I ever get a headache which is very rare I have only used Ibrobrufen.
I have one coffee a day usually in the morning but it is decaffinated.
I can't comment on Ginko as I don't know what it is!
I have even tried laying off diving for almost 6 months to see if it was having any effect on the quality of my hearing in my left ear, which is the only ear effected by this.

That's about as much information as you have requested but please let me know if you need to know more.

Aquamore
(AKA Allan)

 

[Aquamore]

Gun Shot
Is this the bit you wanted me to post again (you mentioned it in your private e-mail).

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Thanks for your reply Doc

I only have it in my left ear. I got mine several decades ago when a careless colleague fired a rifle close to my ear and I wasn't wearing ear protection.

Initially the Doc told me it would go away after a few days but a week later he said it may take months or indeed never go away at all.

I can handle it OK at the moment but I heard it drove Mozart mad in the latter stages of his life.

I have had this for about 26 years now but fortunately I was barking mad before that, so I am not too worried. I was just wondering if any new practices, methods or medicine had come to light in the last few years

-----------------><8

Aquamore