Tinnitus/Constant High Pitched Sound

[boltnrun]

Does anyone else have a constant high pitched sound in their ears?

I had Covid about a year and a half ago and read that this is a part of long Covid. But I had it before I had Covid, just not as bad. I have to have something playing in the background such as music or the TV or it's alI I hear. I can still hear it with music on but it's not as disruptive.

I also read there is no cure.

Thankfully I am able to sleep.

So, anyone else have this?

[Wiseman2]

Tinnitus. On and off. Here and there. Worse during allergy season but clears up with oral antihistamines and nasal decongestants for me.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156#:~:text=Tinnitus is when you experience,especially common in older adults.

[Seraphim]

I have it on and off occasionally. It goes away on its own usually in a few mins . My grandfather had it constantly but he was an artillery man. 

[boltnrun]

I worked in an aerobics studio with loud, thumping music twice a week for about 2 1/2 years. Then I worked in an office adjacent to a machine shop (with the door kept open) for about five years.  And then in an environment where there were conveyors running constantly and loud buzzers to indicate alarms and notifications for six years. So yeah, I have damage.

Mine is constant and continuous. Sounds like a tire losing air, a hissing sound. Never stops.

[Andrina]

Yes, I've had it in one ear for about 3 years. At times, I thought it would drive me crazy. Mine isn't a hissing sound--maybe more like the very light sound of crickets.

[Wiseman2]

A friend of mine went to an audiologist, thinking it was part of hearing loss, but it was wax build up. An ENT can diagnose and treat it. Many many medications including simple OTC aspirin have this as a side effect.

[lostandhurt]

I am listening to it as I type this.  Young and dumb thinking I was invincible and didn't wear hearing protection like I should have. 

 Some days are worse than others but I have learned to live with it.  You are correct, background sounds help mask it.  A nice silent room is not so silent when you have this condition.

   I have a earplug dispenser in my shop now and wear them religiously.

Lost

[melancholy123]

I used to have it a lot as a kid but it got less and less over time and now it's rare.  I was told it cant be fixed.  Loud noises constantly can cause it, tho that was not why I had it.

Go see an audiologist and see what they say.

[Wiseman2]

12 hours ago, melancholy123 said:

Go see an audiologist and see what they say.

Yes start there or see your physician. Google "ototoxicity".

https://www.audiology.org/consumers-and-patients/hearing-and-balance/ototoxicity/

[boltnrun]

I can't go directly to an ENT specialist without a referral from my primary doctor. I'll be seeing him in a couple of months so I can mention it. I've told previous doctors and was told it's not a treatable condition but it doesn't hurt to ask again. Problem is, I can hear, not super well but I can, so they don't tend to see it as an issue. It's just very annoying and intrusive.

[melancholy123]

Try an audiologist as my husband goes to one and you dont need a doctor's referral .

[boltnrun]

26 minutes ago, melancholy123 said:

Try an audiologist as my husband goes to one and you dont need a doctor's referral .

But I would have to pay out of pocket. I don't have extra funds for that, unfortunately. And my insurance is through the government so they won't pay unless I get a referral.

I can wait a couple more months to see my doctor. It's been going on for years so I figure I won't go nuts it I have to hear it for a while longer!

[Wiseman2]

57 minutes ago, boltnrun said:

I've told previous doctors and was told it's not a treatable condition but it doesn't hurt to ask again.

Tinnitus is usually caused by an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, an ear injury or a problem with the circulatory system. For many people, tinnitus improves with treatment of the underlying cause or with other treatments that reduce or mask the noise, making tinnitus less noticeable.

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus

 

[Fudgie]

Have you started any new medication since you had covid? Any antidepressants? 

[boltnrun]

8 minutes ago, Fudgie said:

Have you started any new medication since you had covid? Any antidepressants? 

No, nothing. The only things I started taking a week and a half ago were antibiotics for my dental procedure. But the hissing noise got worse after I had Covid which was November 2020.

[catfeeder]

I hear locusts when I think about it, but I'm not sure if it's all the time. When I'm focused I'm not disturbed.

 

[Wiseman2]

Most places I have lived banned leaf blowers. 🍁. They're known health hazards including the over 80 decibel noise.

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html#:~:text=Noise above 70 dB over,immediate harm to your ears.

[Fudgie]

17 hours ago, boltnrun said:

No, nothing. The only things I started taking a week and a half ago were antibiotics for my dental procedure. But the hissing noise got worse after I had Covid which was November 2020.

Alright, good to know, just curious. Sometimes certain medications can cause tinnitus once started.

Unfortunately, tinnitus can happen as the result of viral infections, including but not limited to COVID. You are not alone: https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/53206-Covid-tinnitus-and-coronavirus

I think seeing your PCP is a good first step but it's possible that it may lessen/disappear over time. I lost my sense of smell/taste for months post covid and it was really difficult but it eventually came back. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. 

[boltnrun]

I've had it for years. It just got more prominent since I had Covid. 

It's constant and continuous. It doesn't come and go.

48 minutes ago, Fudgie said:

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. 

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[East4]

I have had a "situational" tinnitus after a night out in a club with loud music. 

For the last several years I've been taking Magnesium with vitamin B6 and noticed that the tinnitus has completely disappeared, also confirmed by an acustic test. 

I've been reading that post covid long term consequences that the nerves' ends get damaged by covid. Tinnitus is actually a defficient transmission between the nerves in the inner ear and the brain, hence the 'whistling' sound. Magnesium, also zinc, vitamin A and C; but especially the Magnesium reinforces the nerves and the muscles, this is why it is recommended as anti stress/anxiety and heavy physical strain relief. The normal diet only supplies 50% of the magnesium the body needs, so unless additional quantities are taken, most people are magnesium-deprived.

It worked for me, but it took a long time (years) until the tinnitus disappeared. I also avoid loud noise of any kind.

Tinnitus can be really annoying. Wish you good luck with the cure.

[RelaxByWater84]

I have it all the time.  Mine sounds like air is constantly whooshing.  Not trying to be funny but I got mine from working in childcare.  The loudness of some of the infants have finally caught up with me.