Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 6/16/2009

Question
Hello,
I had gall bladder surgery a few months back and while recovering at home, I strained tremendously while getting back into bed and felt/heard something 'pop' in the back of my skull down near the neck area. At that moment, I began to hear an incredibly loud rushing sound in my head/ears. I have browsed the tinnitus sites and they talk about the rushing sound and how it is there to cover up hearing loss, etc. I did go to an ENT and they did a hearing test and noted that I had lost hearing in the upper frequencies in both ears. I could have told you that I wasn't going to pass that test as the sound is incredibly loud in my head and can hear it even in normal conversation with people, listening to music, etc. The ENT stated that I would be able to ignore the sound as normal background noise after a while as he is attributing the noise to normal hearing loss. The only problem with that supposition is that my hearing was not very bad, I'm not that old, and I had a hearing test only a couple of years ago that showed very little hearing loss at those frequencies. I had always been able to change the sound that I could hear in my head by moving my jaw back or straining a lot. Could a tendon or something have actually snapped? Have you ever heard of something like this happening? I really felt that this ENT just wanted to move on to another patient and didn't really listen to my problem (will see another soon). Thank you for any help that you can supply me with as the noise is really driving me nuts!

Answer
Hi Jay,

I suggest that, if you are dissatisfied with your ENT, you may consider consulting a neurologist. There are many causes to roaring tinnitus and hearing loss is only one of them.  Since this occurred in your neck, a neurologist is most likely the next professional to consult.

Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology