Hello, I would like to introduce myself. I am a 54 year old female, who has experienced different degrees of tinnitus on and off for several years.

However, a few weeks ago I had an episode of tinnitus where I woke up in the night and both ears were hissing noticeably loud.

I did not think to much of it at the time, however in the morning after I got up they were still hissing, not normal for the condition to continue on.

During the day the hissing let up, but my right ear still was having waves of on and off hissing, then it stopped and I thought all was good.

However, a week later, I noticed the hissing/ringing came back again, ranging different degrees of buzzing, hissing, almost like a radio being tuned in.

The tinnitus does appears worse in the morning then through out the day it comes on and off.

The early evening seems to the time I have the most relief from the nuisance. My right ear appears worse than the left. It appears from my ears, not from inside my head.

I have no dizziness or pain in my ears and no other noted new symptoms. In addition I have not started any new medications.

However the past 4 months I have been experiencing hot flashes during the night even though I have been in menopause for 5 years. I saw my GYN for my annual exam three weeks ago and mentioned the hot flashes, he said they can come and go for a long period of time after menopause and ordered a ultra sound, but I have not yet had it. At that time my ears were not an issue, so not mentioned. So I wonder if fluctuation in hormones can cause tinnitus?

My medical history includes anxiety, depression, two slightly bulged discs in my neck, that at times bother me, sightly high BP at times, B12 and D deficiency at times, high cholesterol, idiopathic neuropathy in my feet, and migraines. Sounds like I am a mess, but in all reality I am pretty healthy.

I have an odd unreasonable fear of taking mediation, so I presently still have high cholesterol, and slightly high BP, hoping to reduce them both with diet and exercise, and the anxiety. depression with therapy. I know it sounds ridicules, and it does not benefit my disorders having a fear of taking medications, but that fear appears to be a disorder in itself.

The migraines I have had for years, approx one every two months, but they have not changed in years. My ears do ring at times when I have a very bad migraine, but then return back to normal soon after. I was seen by a neurologist and ear specialist in the past, my ears appear ok, but said to be sensitive.

I have had MRIs, several tests too.
Ten years ago an MRI revealed some abnormal readings, however was determined not MS, not tumor, and the MRI readings have not changed on follow up MRIs, since and I have not had any new symptoms of distress except this new onset of tinnitus. The last MRI was three years ago.

I was advised to take an aspirin a day, at which I have done for years now, with no problems, I also drink approx two cups of coffee each day, so I do have caffeine each day, but have for years.

The vitamin deficiency was noted two years ago and I did receive B12 shots, but then discontinued, and have not been tested since. I suppose I should take better care of my health, (bad me!)

Through the years, I have noticed that when I diet, am sick, over tired, or very upset, the tinnitus does act up. And sometimes it just came about with possibly weather chages, but otherwise who knows????

All my life though I have had, sudden buzzes, popping, ringing, or hissing, sometimes a day or so, or just a zip out of the blue, always shorted lived though.

My daughter, now 26 had twelve ear surgeries when young, having several tubes, which seemed to be the trend then, she suffered many ear infections, and now has tinnitus, due to the damage that the surgeries caused. We saw several specialists, and then finally found an excellent one, but by that time I fear she had damage done. However she deals with the nuisance very well, but at times still has moments of distress, mostly at night.

She is happily married to youth minister, has one child, and one on the way, and many hold her in prayer for her ear ringing to improve. My daughter appears to have been blessed with carrying on with the ringing, and it does not disrupt her life to the extent to make her miserable, which makes me very happy, knowing how annoying it can be.

She was not able to fly for years, and swimming is not one of her past times of course, but was given the ok to fly over seas two years ago, going on a missions trip. Her ears were ok for the long flight since many were praying for her, which she contributes her ear dismay not an issue at the time.

Myself, I am also happily married, however the past few years I have been under a great deal of stress, due to caring for a elderly mother which has many health issues, with out siblings in the area to give me aide.

My daughter lives 50 miles from me, in a mountainous area of WNY, and I have been traveling back and forth helping her with her one year old, and setting up her new home, (good stress, but my ears act up at times driving to the higher elevation.

Last week the tinnitus returned with vengence, but I was very upset due to my beloved dogie of 17 years passed away at which caused me extreme saddens and I cried and cried.

But the ringing coming back in my ears, after I was upset about my dogie could of been coincidence.

Putting that aside, I am happily married, and do carry on each day fairly cntent, finding pockets of happiness reading, walking, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. I love taking care of my one year old first grandchild!

I am a dental assistant by trade, however presently work as a teachers aide, which is funny in a way, as I wonder what would be worse for my tinnitus, a bussing dental drill, or the toucher that I endure now of having to sit in a quit detention room over seeing students, with no distractions of any sound except in my own ears. I would like to tell the students, act up, make noise! (Chuckle)

So, I keep hoping the tinnitus goes at bay, but it has not as yet and I feel anxious, and worried it is something serious, since is more prominent, and has not let up much.

The past few days I try to keep very busy, but I find that presently doing much fast paced busy work to not think of my tinnitus, think I am sort of putting myself in denial of the issue, yes I am just plan scared, and do not pleasure the thought of doctors, tests and so on!

I also have been on the computer looking up the disorder more closely had learned that tinnitus can be a symptom of to much caffeine, aspirin, certain medications, circulatory problems, especially in large arteries in the neck are involved, vitamin B12 deficiency that can raise blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that is thought to be toxic to nerves, high cholesterol which actually can actually cause like stroke in the ears, tumors, ear infection, HB pressure, low blood pressure, Menieress disease, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, viruses colds, air pressure changes, anemia, loud noises which have caused damage to nerves in ears, and aging ears. YIKES! Although it was stated that tinnitus itself is not the disease but a symptom, it usually is not a sign of serious disorder in most occasions, well I suppose the second is the good news for us.

I have to admit I am still very anxious, and still, I also dont totally understand how for instance caffeine, aspirin actually causes the tinnitus, does it affect the small nerves in the ear, which then resume normalcy when you stop the caffeine and aspirin?

It is more easy to understand how a damaged ear can cause the tinnitus, such as in my daughters case, but what causes my ears to ring when I am over tired, or sick?

I also realize that I do have many things that could contribute to my tinnitus, however I wonder why so suddenly my tinnitus became worse and am now fearing the unknown.

In my opinion tinnitus is truly is an annoying disorder but fortunately with this forum I hope to receive some support, insight on the disorder, and courage to carry on and take the measures I need to possibly find out what is causing it, then if it persists how to carry on a content life.

Any input, or suggestions, would be graciously appreciated, thank you!

Pattylyn