Tinnitus that goes away,then comes back

[paulinjapan]

Hello. I know you are in the US and cannot diagnose, but can you help me find the best strategy of questions to ask doctor in Japan?

Age 56, male, living in Japan since 1979

HISTORY

Some tinnitus as a teenage--said to have been allergy related: Coins dropped on counter reverberate. But rare later on.

Cira 2004 I noticed it as a hissing sound.   Or cicadas crying.

Generally it is VERY mild. In both ears. Then recently, THIS PAST YEAR, for weeks on end it disappeared completely. Only to return without warning.

The other day it returned after 2 weeks.  Then it was present in mild form for 1-2 days. Then gone ONE day. Then back during the night.  3:30 AM awoke. Nothing.  5:30 AM loud.  It is now 12 hours later and still very loud.
(Sometimes it comes after a nap. Or after sleep.  Then it is particularly loud)

Med history
1997 Diagnosed with mild cervical spondylosis. Exercise of muscles keeps it in check.
From 1998-2006 IU was on and off Luvox and/or Paxil.  Did not take  benzodiazepines until 2006. Since 2006 ONLY take benzodiazepine very occasionally. And no SSRIs
2002: Misdiagnosis of angioplasty as muscular pain. Many pain meds. Got ulcer.
2002 Started taking ONE baby aspirin (ACTUALLY BAYASPIRIN) a day after angioplasty. Also fish oil 4 grams. Other drugs flotide and Singulair, anti-sputum drug and proton pump inhibitor and stomach coating drug for mild ulcer that has healed.
2005 Fall resulting in herniated disk.  Some exercise and stretching keeps it in check more or less.

Any leads I can pursue. And is an otolaryngology doctor the best, or are there other specialties?

Thank you!

paul arenson

[Dalubaba]

I am 78. I had tinnitus at the age of45 and deafness at the age of 65. tinnitus is in both ears and continuous for 24 hours.Using hearing aid.Nothing helps.I wait for the day when some miracle drug is discovered.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

56 yr old, hearing loss begins to occur in most men at around the age of 60, so you are on target.

Hearing loss is coralated with tinnitus. Coralated, does not mean "cause" we just know that it is very common to have both tinnitus and hearing loss.  

With the meds you mentioned, some of them are oto-toxic and if taken for a long period of time....  who knows?

Best thing to do is go see an ENT that also has an audiologist and get yourself checked out.