Well, my own 24x7 tinnitus stems from an ear infection I had as a teenager, BUT, that said, my ears go DINGLE! DONGLE! and even HUM as atmospheric pressure changes. I kid you not, my ears are the best weathervane I have. If the temps suddenly heat up, or if rain is coming, my ears will know 24 hrs before it happens.
So in these cases, the tinnitus gets LOUDER and can even go BONG! BONG! BONG-BONG-BONG! throughout the day before weather changes.
Your own tinnitus probably is unique to YOUR health issues and physiology. I wouldnāt panic, but just try things (off the steroids vs ON them) or warm compresses, or taking flushing niacin, or things that may improve blood flow (good exercise!) to your ears. Keep us posted on what works.
For years, shills used to promote taking gingko biloba for hearing? Or even Vit-B? Yeah, did squat for ME or my ringing ears. Now I just accept that I live with built-in āwhite noiseā which is luckily only noticeable when aids are OUT and Iām deaf as a cinderblock with ringinā ears.
Iām 62 had tinnitus since 1997. Have ssd from birth, which is unrelated to my tinnitus. So back then in 1997 my good ear seemed muffled, thought was some sort of blockage so nipped nose and blew hard. Big mistake nearly collaped with dizziness and with a screaming in my right (good) ear. Lasted about 30 secs terrifying.
Went to ent they said slight hearing loss in right ear and tinnitus, first Iād heard of it. Lasted about 6 months made me depressed for a while but eventually subsided. 10 years later 2007 came back, went to ent they said hearing still quite good in right ear for age but give me a hearing aid which helped immediately and tinnitus again subsided after several months.
Then about 4 to 5 years ago during covid period tinnitus came with a vengeance. Bought a hearing aid which helped but my hearing quickly deteriorated which was more frightening than tinnitus. The tinnitus is on and off daily Iāve learnt to manage it with nice nature masking sounds etc, even when extremely loud I know it wonāt last.
May this year had microsuction as hearing seemed a little worse, apparently only small amount of wax but audiologist went ahead with suction, the noise was horrendous and it actually hurt in my ear canal. Since then my hearing I would say is 10% worse speech very distored canāt listen to tv without headphones. Decided to update hearing aid Oticon intent 1.
This has helped but still struggling.
Not two days the same the distortion isnāt as bad and Iām praying it will improve.
@jeffrey Itās interesting that you mention the steroid sprays as Iāve also had that experience, although Iāve been told they absolutely cannot affect tinnitus as itās a brain issue not an ear issue. I do wonder if a change in the Eustachian tube and fluid drainage affects our perception of sound, and therefore makes it harder for brains to mask the tinnitus? (Not a medical person so just spitballing).
Stress, caffeine, shoulder and jaw pain, opiates and viruses all make mine worse. And dealing with that makes it better. So yeah, I do think you can dial it back.
I think the most important thing is to not get in your own head about it. It canāt hurt you, but it is distressing (especially when youāre trying to sleep!) White noise apps can be great for some people, as is meditation. YMMV.
Important to note that pulsile tinnitus, especially if new, can (not always) indicate a more concerning issue.
Iām sorry youāre experienced this. Tinnitus is a PITA.
