ringing in ears

[figuerpa]

Ok I know this topic has been talked about before but my question is, Can ringing in your ears be totally normal at times or does there always have to be a cause for it?

I am asking because lately I have ringing off and on but there is no pain or discomfort that goes along with it and it doesn't stay around for too long. I just know that not everything is MS related and sometimes things are normal without a cause and was wondering if this could be one of those things. I am so tired of doctors so I don't want to go to one if there is no reason too.

Thank you,
Paula

[kubbyskoo]

With increased stress I get alot of weird hearing sensations. Repetative sounds that have a tendentacy to get on my nerves result in this ear ringing or alot of noise without any peaceful silence like at a gathering. When I'm really physically tired and emotionally tired, I get supersonic hearing where I hear the slightest noise that's barely audible.

Nerves are nerves regardless where they are and subject to MS's damage or symtom flares.

[Sparkysarah]

Hi Paula

All we can all do is throw ideas and suggestions at you, but none of us can actually say what is really happening with the ringing. So like others I will throw my pennnies worth in.

Just over a year ago, I was sent to an ENT specialist for ringing and mild hearing loss in one ear. I  had no idea I had MS and went through loads of ENT tests leading to an MRI scan to check for an acoustic neuroma (tumour). The rest is history and further more detailed MRI scans showed my lesions and led to my MS dx, and one lesion was situated near the ear (can't remember the technical terms for all the tubes inside) and the neuro indicated that this was most probably responsible for my sensory hearing problems. This does not mean that the ringing you are hearing is MS related as it is just my experience but I thought I would share it anyway.  The good news is that the ringing went away for me after 3 months and has not returned.

So that is all I can add. Good to hear from you.

Love Sarah x

[Forgetfullkaykay]

I have constant tinnitus, sometimes louder than other times, since sept 2009.  My dr (rhumatologest) said sometimes it just comes on with no explaination, no connection and not a sign of anything more systemic.  He went so far as to say his wife has it with no other connection.  BUT for me, it came on during a lupus flair which included a lot of CNS symptoms.  ENT cleared me.  I'm stuck with it I guess.  

[Guitar_grrrl]

I'm like Ren with the tinnitus and occasional flat out unilateral (always my left ear) deafness.

Doesn't last more than a day or so.

[Deb61]

I have the high pitched ringing in my ears.  I have many problems with my ears including deafness for a short period of time in my left ear, the Morse code clicking (turns out to be a spasm), and phantom phone ringing sounds.  

I went to the audiologist and he said that I had sensori-neural hearing loss in both ears.  It can stem from the brain or the ears.  He isn't sure where it comes from.  If I could afford hearing aids, I'd have them, but they're really expensive.  

The ringing is the first symptom that I remember having.  Maybe you should see an audiologist or an ENT to find out what's going on . . .  

Deb

[drsdonthelp]

Paula,

Well, I can say, I know what you mean

. I always thought that this was something everyone experiences.
I get the morse code clicking in my left ear on and off, and its not everyday that this happens, once in a while, maybe couple times a month or so.

I have also had the stabbing pain in my ear that happened in my right ear for more than a week on and off, short bursts of pain (no infection) then it happened in the left ear couple times.

As far as the high pitch ringing, I get that too!! First, my ear will go deaf for couple seconds then I get the squealing high pitch. It's so annoying. I absolutely thought that everyone had this happen to them, I never thought this could be something. Is this Tinnitus?? My dad actually said that to me when I said to him , " hang on dad, I can't hear you, my ear just went deaf and now its ringing" .

Hugs,
Pam

[MissLauraI]

Hi Paula-
I get the high pitch on occasion. Recently I have been having what I can only describe as the sound of a fluttering moth stuck in my ear (I just posted about this one). I don't know what the causes are but it sure is annoying huh?

[Sarahsmom46]

I have had the high pitched sounds, most refer to it as ringing (not actual ring sound) for about 5 years now. It started in one year and several month later it was in both.  Unfortunately for me, I have it 24/7.  I was told by my MD may have come on from a medication I was taking.  Tinnitus is a side effect of some drugs.  When I saw my ENT she said that she thought it could be nerve damage and possibly related to MS.  We may never know what caused it, but looks like its here to stay.  

You are fortunate that it comes and goes. That is a very interesting situation.  I don't think it is a  problem that you should put off as nothing important especially if it is new.  

Ren is right that there isn't much that can be done for it, that is if it is not being caused by a more serious health issue.  If it is the garden-variety of tinnitus then you will just learn to get used to it.  If they ever come up with something that gets rid of it then I plan on being the firsti n line.  :)  Hope this was helpful.

Julie

[cainer]

paula   well id go and make sure- if its a infection- well that can lead to -lots- of things, when i was little i had a infection- i was to little to know. i told my mom my head hurt!!  lol-- well i was little,  and my eardrum busted- so  well anyway- now am deaf, in that ear but id sure check it out!!

[rendean]

Paula,
Dear Paula,
I have very rare tinnitus. What I do have more frequently is sudden onset of  deafness in my left ear. It doesn't last long but is irritating beyond belief. I was told it occurs in MS patients but they don't know what causes it. They know it occurs but don't know the trigger.

Wishing you  luck with yours. I have noticed that many people use "white noise" such as a fan or a white noise machine to help them sleep as the white noise blocks the specific bandwidth the ear hears that causes the tinnitus. My explanation is probably a poor one...just Google white noise and you will a much better explanation. :-)

Wishing you luck with an aggravating symptom,
Ren

[Sailorsong]

The high pitch noise is what I refer to as hissing. I'm don't know the technical term for it but think it starts with a "T". I suppose it could be from age ( but I think you are too young for that unless you spent a lot of time in a rock band when you were younger). LOL.

I can't stand loud noises either which becomes a problem when I go see my friend Dave as he is very hard of hearing and has his TV turned all the way up all of the time. I have had constant hissing in my ears for many years and it tends to make it harder for me to hear things.

I think I remember reading somewhere that besides damage due to constant loud noise it can also come from wax buildup and milder infections that have not progressed to the point of other symptoms. But don't quote me on that. LOL

Dennis

[figuerpa]

Its like a high pitch noise but haven't been around any loud noises. Loudness is somethng that I can't handle any more not sure if it is due to age or sensitive ears lol. Probably just cause I am getting old lol

Paula

[Sailorsong]

Is it an actual ringing or a hissing? A ringing is usually associated with right after being exposed to loud noises ( like a gun shot). While the hissing is associated with loss of nerve function the way I understand it.

Dennis