[tutelary]

I have a ringing in my right ear that won't go away. My blood pressure is ~130/80, so I don't really think that is the problem. Could I have a slightly perforated eardrum that would be causing this? What might other causes be?

Also, (and this sounds really wierd)...the wax in that ear is now dry, when before it was waxy.

[David Thompson]

Originally Posted by tutelary

I have a ringing in my right ear that won't go away. My blood pressure is ~130/80, so I don't really think that is the problem. Could I have a slightly perforated eardrum that would be causing this? What might other causes be?

Also, (and this sounds really wierd)...the wax in that ear is now dry, when before it was waxy.

You might want to look up tinnitus in wikipedia. Or google it... I've had it for many years. It's maddening!

[Zeeb]

Originally Posted by tutelary

I have a ringing in my right ear that won't go away. My blood pressure is ~130/80, so I don't really think that is the problem. Could I have a slightly perforated eardrum that would be causing this? What might other causes be?

Also, (and this sounds really wierd)...the wax in that ear is now dry, when before it was waxy.

Turn down the volume on the ipod. Definately

[brassplayersrock²]

being serious here.

are you near any large bodies of water? ether fresh or salt. i get this a lot more often when I'm home closer to the ocean than when i do when I'm here at school

[ghporter]

Look at how much caffiene you ingest, how much salt you ingest, and how much medication like aspirin and ibuprophen you take in-all can increase the symptoms of tinnitus. I have it, and sometimes it's more noticable than others. And other times, just thinking about it makes it MUCH more noticable. Do something to distract yourself and you might just forget about it.

[Judge_Fire]

Tinnitus can be caused by being exposed to a sudden, loud noise. IIRC, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have it because of a special fx blast accident at the Star Trek set...

Ear or sinus infections could maybe cause this, too. I'd see a doctor, now.

[powerbook867]

It is likely tinnitus. You definitely want to get it checked out by a doctor just to be sure...

I had an MRI to check that it wasn't a growth or a tumor pressing against my inner ear. Eveyone here has mentioned most of the standard recomendations to reduce the affect..

It can be frustrating. It is for me when it is quiet in the office..but most of the time it just blends in and I try not to focus on it..

I gave up caffeine for about 2 weeks when I was about 26 hoping that it was the cause. Unfortunately, it just made me really cranky and tired all the time. The tinnitus was still there...

Hope it's nothing too serious..

[Monique]

No one can diagnosed you on this thread, go see a doctor, unless you want to stop hearing from that ear.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Monique

No one can diagnosed you on this thread, go see a doctor, unless you want to stop hearing from that ear.

Excellent advice! We all get caught up in helping diagnose computer problems (and often relationship/work/etc. problems) and forget that some things need real, professional intervention. Good call, Monique.

[RAILhead]

Your head is going to asplode.

[residentEvil]

T wat? I c unt hear you.

[Stradlater]

Originally Posted by ghporter

Excellent advice! We all get caught up in helping diagnose computer problems (and often relationship/work/etc. problems) and forget that some things need real, professional intervention. Good call, Monique.

Doctors are people, too, though, and fallible at that. I've known many cases where more than one "2nd" opinion was needed before proper diagnoses. Honestly, online diagnostic, as a supplement to professional, is not a bad idea.

[Cadaver]

I have mild, bilateral tinnitus. Too many rock concerts as a kid, I guess.
I've had my hearing tested and otherwise its normal (except if you ask my wife). I've been checked out by an ENT, and I've gone as far as having an MRI to make sure there was no tumor. I mostly notice it at night when its very quiet. I have a fan in the bedroom that I run - the white noise does wonders to mask the tinnitus. During the day, i almost never notice it.

But acute-onset tinnitus could be from wax buildup, infection... many things. Go see your doctor.

[pooka]

Yeah, I got tinnitus as well. Sucks. You get used to it. I guess. When I was first diagnosed by a specialist, he asked if I ingested large quantities of caffeinated beverages. I said yes. He said stop. I asked if that would have any effect on the ringing.

"Well, no. It's just not good for you."

[the macimum]

You, with the ringing in the ear, do you party a lot?

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by RAILhead

Your head is going to asplode.

-t

[- - e r i k - -]

Tinnitus is chronic. It sucks, but you've should have used earplugs like your mommy told you to.

[ghporter]

There is a link between caffiene and sensitivity to the ringing. I can think of a couple of technical reasons for it, but it's there.

According to the American Tinnitus Association:

Can anything make tinnitus worse?
Exposure to loud noises, as mentioned earlier, can have a negative effect on your hearing and exacerbate tinnitus. Be sure to protect yourself with earplugs, earmuffs, or by simply not taking part in noisy events.

Some medications can make tinnitus worse. Tell all of your physicians—not just your ear, nose, and throat doctor—about all prescription and over the counter medications you are currently taking or have recently taken.

Many people find that alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine can worsen their tinnitus, as can eating certain foods. Some people find that foods with a high sugar content or any amount of quinine (tonic water) make their tinnitus seem louder. Monitor how you respond to different stimuli, and find a healthy balance where you do not eliminate all the foods that you love, but also where you do not unnecessarily exacerbate your tinnitus.

Finally, stress and fatigue can affect your tinnitus. Make time to relax, and understand that life events can manifest themselves in your body in the form of increased tinnitus. Of course, this is easier said than done. Finding a good support network can help. ATA has a network of self-help groups and help network volunteers who can help you learn coping skills.

I find that staying active and engaged helps keep me from noticing it. Also, as I've frequently had problems sleeping (even before the tinnitus), I use a gentle music CD to help me relax, which makes the sound far less noticable while I'm trying to get to sleep.

By the way, I have ALWAYS used proper hearing protection whenever in a high-noise or loud environment. The Air Force not only required me to protect myself, they taught me how and provided fitted ear plugs, appropriate muff-type covers, and so on. Sometimes, tinnitus comes from other sources than loud noises.

[Buckaroo]

Originally Posted by tutelary

I have a ringing in my right ear that won't go away. My blood pressure is ~130/80, so I don't really think that is the problem. Could I have a slightly perforated eardrum that would be causing this? What might other causes be?

Also, (and this sounds really wierd)...the wax in that ear is now dry, when before it was waxy.

Drink some water. You might be dehydrated.

[©öñFü$íóÑ]

Originally Posted by Buckaroo

Drink some water. You might be dehydrated.

Worked for me!

[Madrag]

after I had the flu I started having that damn rining as well!
This was almost four years ago and now it's much better.

Try to have a more relaxed life, low noise and definetly go to the doctor, they will give you advices and inspect it to see if there are any other problems.

[real]

I work with a guy that has the same thing, al the docters he has seen tell him there is nothing they can do. it frives him crazy, but he has started to get used to it.

[turtle777]

Still not dead ?

(j/k)

-t

[jettrue]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with tinnitis. (Well, I knew that already, but... misery loves company). I've never been formally diagnosed, but from my experience, most of the time doctors don't tell me anything useful. Now watch, I'll have a tumor. Anyway, I've had tinnitis for forever, and it hasn't killed me yet. I always assumed it was the aliens trying to communicate with me.

Try not to think about it. I know, when someone tells you not to think about something, thats all you think about. But really, that works the best for me. Wear headphones with soft music whenever you can.