Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 4/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I have tinnitus in one ear for 1 year now.

Prior to that I always had sensitivity to noise, and sensitivity to pressure changes (when driving down from mountains or diving more than 1 meter deep, my ears hurt)

I also have a mild throat inflammation that the doctor says comes from heartburn.

Any insights about possible causes for the tinnitus from this information??

Thanks!!!!!!

Jonathan

ANSWER: Hi Jonathan...Hmm, my first reaction is, of course, have you seen an ear specialist about the tinnitus? There are so many causes of tinnitus, many of which show the same symptoms as you describe, that I would not even venture a guess. I will say that from your description, you may have an Eustachian tube dysfunction.  The Eustachian tube is a little tube that goes from your nose to your middle ear and helps maintain normal pressure in your ears.  However, I cannot say if this is the cause of your tinnitus.  Sensitivity to noise can also mean a lot of things, even a hearing loss or poor middle ear reflexes. The tinnitus may also be due to damage to the nerves inside your inner ear or even the auditory nerve that goes from the ear to your brain. Remember, tinnitus is a SYMPTOM of something...that something is wrong. Therefore, my best advice is to be evaluated by an ear specialist and be tested by an audiologist. Once the cause is determined and there is no medical treatment, if the tinnitus becomes bothersome, there are several treatment options available. Good luck.

Harriet Jacobster AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Harriet,
I did go to a specialist but she just said "there is nothing to do" and sent me to some vanilla tests just to be covered against malpractice.
Are there specific things that can go wrong with the Eustachian tube, or is Eustachian tube dysfunction just a general way of saying "we don't know"?
I'd be happy to know.
I'll be closing this question after the next reply..

Thanks!
Jonathan

Answer
As I said, there are literally hundreds and hundreds of reasons for tinnitus ranging from the very mild (like a cold) or very serious (like a tumor).  Your doctor was absolutely correct in sending you for these tests.  More times than not, we do not find the cause of the tinnitus, but we still must rule out the more obvious and dangerous one.  Once that is done, and we know there is nothing medically wrong, we can treat.
If you want to find out options for treating tinnitus, you may go to the website of the American Tinnitus Association site: http://www.ata.org/
Now, for the Eustachian tube, the most common problem is that the tube will not open properly.  For instance, have you ever flown, or climbed a mountain and feel your ears gets stuffy?  That's because the ET is closing due to changes in air pressure.  And then you blow your nose and your ears "pop."  That's the ET opening. There are several causes for ET dysfunction ranging from allergies to an anatomical blockage. It is not uncommon in people with allergies or chronic sinus infections.  Saline nose drops can sometimes help.  But if you have problems opening the tube, and this is indeed your problem, you should have it evaluated by your physician - there is a specialized test for this - and s/he can give you something to help.

Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology