Eyes vibrate when telephone is ringing

For a few years I have had tinnutis in my left ear.  It is an unwavering, very high pitched sound.  I have also noticed if I am placing a phone call and hold the phone to my left ear,  while the phone is ringing, my eyes (both) vibrate very rapidly.  What causes this?  Are there tests and/or traetments for this?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You should see an ENT specialist for evaluation of your tinnitus or ringing in the ears.  Combined with some vibratory sensations of the eyes which could possibly represent some form of nystagmus and I wonder if you might not have an inner eye problem.  Definitely have hearing tested, make sure you are not taking any medications that can cause tinnitus, have balance tested, sinuses looked at any other workup that ENT specialist thinks is necessary.  It would also be a good idea to see an ophthalmologist as well, but I think this is mostly an inner ear problem.

Michael Kutryb, MD

[Nancy T]

That is weird. It's true that the inner ear is connected with the eyes, because the balance system depends on input from (1) inner ear, (2) eyes, and (3) proprioception (sense of touch to know where your body is in space, such as from the soles of your feet).

Google "Tullio phenomenon" and see what you think.

Please let us know what the ear doctor says. The best type of specialist to see would be a neuro-otologist (also spelled neurotologist), which is a super-specialized ENT with extra training in the inner ear and its connections to the brain. Find a neurotologist from the Web sites of the American Neurotology Society or the Vestibular Disorders Association. Many ordinary ENTs don't know all that much about the inner ear and odd phenomena like yours.

Nancy T.