I have tinnitus that’s probably related to all the loud rock concerts I attended as a teenager and young adult. It’s a high-pitched, polyphonic sound, like crickets in the summertime. It would be great if there was some treatment for it, but psychologically I’m prepared to live with it indefinitely. Mostly I don’t think about it or notice it. Listening to music in the same sound range will mask it.
I have it, too. Very loud, high-pitched tones, more than one frequency. I think it started when I took an anti-anxiety med a couple of years ago. I quit taking the med but the tinnitus didn’t go away. An audiologist said my hearing is OK and I just to live with it. I can’t afford a hearing aid at this point, but maybe once the kids are out of college…
It’s amazing how many of us have tinnitus. Mine is like what @damon30 described, it started about a year ago seemingly out of the blue. Nothing wrong with my hearing either, and doc said there’s not much one can do.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156
At 89 have them check her carotid artery. They should be doing it anyway at this age. Also did they check to see if her ear drum was punctured at the cleaning?
My moms 89 also and living independent till about 3 weeks ago… That’s another story… Good luck.
The article cited in post #23 above is interesting & worth reading. Notes earwax & bending or breaking of hairs among many other causes.
Will check it out–thanks! I want them to think about carotid arteries too, especially as it’s more of a thundering sound, and changes with position.
How is your mom doing?
She went to PC doc’s office yesterday. Saw the PA, who didn’t see anything. Putting her on low level Zoloft and looking to arrange an MRI.
My sister says she’s gotten noticeably weaker, I am hoping it’s the stress of this and not something else, too. I’m going out next week to check things out.
That my sister lives with her has been a godsend.
Best wishes to her. I don’t have anything else to suggest, but will add my name to the list of those who have it, including hearing pulse and a high pitched ring. Mine all started after radiation - no known fix. One does get used to it after awhile, though it’s always bothersome on bad “mental” days. Actual sharp pain from it is worse with cold and wind and the occasional “yeah, I don’t know why” days.
I hope hers has a fix. The first few months of experiencing it is pretty stressful. Outside noise can help with the ringing, but it does nothing to combat the pain on bad days.
The time I hate it most is when I have a bad headache. Then it’s almost unbearable.
She should have an ultrasound (doppler) of the carotid arteries, probably before the MRI. Cheaper and quicker and will rule out atherosclerosis
I hesitated to post again, but I decided to finish the story. Sadly, as the tinnitus somewhat faded, Mom continued to feel weaker. She finally consented to go to the hospital this weekend, and what had been very minor, controlled heart/breathing issues had developed quicker than I thought possible, into heart failure. She passed away yesterday. She was the strongest woman her whole life, and I think that masked how much her body was wearing down. She was surrounded by family, and the hospital even let us keep her four-month-old baby great-granddaughter in the room for half a day, which was the one thing she wanted. She will be so missed.
@garland I’m sorry for your loss.
Oh, I’m so sorry, @garland. I’m hoping my dad makes it out of the ICU after his heart surgery yesterday. It’s tough.
@MaineLonghorn --sending good thoughts towards your Dad’s recovery.
@garland, this is a little heartbreaking to read. You so wanted to help your mom get over this difficulty. I love that you were able to keep the the baby nearby for her last hours. So sorry.
@garland - I am so sorry.
Very sorry for your loss, @garland.
@garland, I am so sorry! Your mother was doing so well, this must have been an awful shock. My mother passed away last fall at 93. Even though I feel fortunate to have had her so long, it is still quite painful to lose her. It must be very hard on your sister.
@MaineLonghorn, I hope that your father recovers well from his surgery.
Very sorry for your loss.