Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
tinnitus?
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
tinnitus?
by arthur, Aug 04, 2003 12:00AM
I wasn't sure if this was the proper forum, so excuse the near miss if that's true.
I was wondering if a relatively high pitched hissing noise from air ducts in my office could cause tinnitus. Our environmental folks checked out the decibels and they were quite low. However, the hissing noise is pretty constant and I'm exposed to it for 8-10 hours per day. Over a period of months, I began noticing a very low, intermittent humming sensation mostly in one ear, and sometimes in both. This intermittent hum is so low that I really only notice it at night when it's quiet.
Upon requesting our facility to lower the air duct noise, which they did by lowering the air volume throughput, over a period of several weeks I noticed that the "tinnitus" started to break up, ie, the intermittent buzzing sensation became more sporadic and presented at an even lower apparent volume.
I realize that prolonged exposure to relatively loud noise, or some inner ear problem and/or eustachian tube foul up may typically lead to tinnitus. In the present case we have a low decibel, but high frequency hissing sound...does the frequency of the noise play a role in causing a tinnitus-like presentation?
Thanks for any light you can shed on this relatively minor problem...I just don't want it to get any worse.
-Arthur
I was wondering if a relatively high pitched hissing noise from air ducts in my office could cause tinnitus. Our environmental folks checked out the decibels and they were quite low. However, the hissing noise is pretty constant and I'm exposed to it for 8-10 hours per day. Over a period of months, I began noticing a very low, intermittent humming sensation mostly in one ear, and sometimes in both. This intermittent hum is so low that I really only notice it at night when it's quiet.
Upon requesting our facility to lower the air duct noise, which they did by lowering the air volume throughput, over a period of several weeks I noticed that the "tinnitus" started to break up, ie, the intermittent buzzing sensation became more sporadic and presented at an even lower apparent volume.
I realize that prolonged exposure to relatively loud noise, or some inner ear problem and/or eustachian tube foul up may typically lead to tinnitus. In the present case we have a low decibel, but high frequency hissing sound...does the frequency of the noise play a role in causing a tinnitus-like presentation?
Thanks for any light you can shed on this relatively minor problem...I just don't want it to get any worse.
-Arthur
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Aug 09, 2003 12:00AM
Tinnitus is a very common complaint. It is typically a symptom of loss of hearing. To have this fully evaluated I would recommend that you be evaluated by a ear/nose/throat (ENT) doctor. They will be able to examine you closely and evaluate your hearing. If they are concerned about a neurologic disease, they can refer you to a neurologist. I would defer your questions regarding the air duct noise to the ENT doctor.
Younger, I had chronic tinnitus in only one ear. I had lots of
dull headaches & took asprin. The asprin `caused' the high-pitch
ringing. Later, neighbor used a leaf-blower every Fri. & it had a
dull whining sound. 4 hrs. later I had tinnitus. Many pain meds
also trigger it but only in one ear? I've had it checked. I think
it's a vibration of an ear-nerve started chemical or an uncon-
scious annoying sound. I discovered a lo-hum from a flourescent
light in the ofc. annoys me after an hr. By eve. I have tinnitus.
It goes away w/ a distraction of a favorite flavor I relate to.
Mine is cinnamon tea or candy. Some like tart or sour. There are
people that live w/ it for yrs. I just know mine can go away
even chewing gum on the same side.
The reality is that I beleive it is possible, and as demisuise points out, it's probably not only possible but a common occurrence. We all know that loud noise is a sure culprit, it's just curious that no one ever mentions the link to frequency.
I do know that pressure on the carotid artery may cause this as I have been seen by an ENT and had an ultrasound of it on my neck and an MRA. I was just wondering about possible white matter lesion location. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
You should get those tests done. They are to rule out blocked carotid artery in the neck. Good luck