[Mr. Kim]

Hello,

I hope it's treatable,

I have monthly recurring episodes where I “hear” repetitive twitching/thumping and occasional rapid fluttering that seems to be in my head rather than in the ears. The durations are about 1 sec long and 1~2 sec intervals. A crackling/squishy type sound, which I hear in the ears, is generated from the twitching/thumping . This episode will last 3~5 days with 24 hours a day constant noises. It affects my desire to be with people because of the “drowning out” of conversation.

Also pretty much on a daily basis I have crackling noise when I swallow or yawn, restricted nasal passages and stuffy head feel (like an altitude change or water in the ears feel). I constantly do the “pinch/blow” to clear my ears but this is only a temporary relief. Also the constant urge to blow my nose usually has no mucus (not sure what else to call it) although sometime will have traces of blood.

This is about a 10 year problem. I have seen three different Dr. on this and their initial response it that it is allergies. I’ve gone through the nasal spray treatment to no avail. The next responses were hearing tests, two occasions I had passed with flying colors (what was odd is during my second test I was in the middle of a monthly episode and still passed the hearing although she said there was some osculating). On my own i have used ear wax remover drops and swimmers ear drops that offer no relief. This gives me the “ it’s hopeless” feeling.

Any thoughts or sites recommended so I may print something out to bring to my next appointment?

It is affecting my life to the point where I am irritated and depressed. I used to be able to avoid people and ride out the episode. With my current job (retail) I am in constant contact with people and during an episode need to constantly ask them to repeat a request or question. I have even scanned a product more than once on the cash register because I could not hear the ‘ding”.

Thanks,
Kim

[Ellie]

Hi Kim.

I was wondering if you have ever had any neurological screening tests, seen a neurologist and or an ENT (Ears Nose & Throat Doctor)? The screening tests would include things such as an EEG, MRI, MRA, CT Scan and/or other tests that would be testing things such as your coordination, balance, fine motor skills, memory, and things of the like. Also did they check for tinnitus?

Furthermore, have they done any bloodwork such as testing for heavy metal toxins and other stuff?

[Mr. Kim]

Ellie,

Thanks for the reply, I have been to a couple hearing tests. The latest Dr. looked, pulled a couple ear hairs then referred me to a hearing test. (A hearing test was conducted prior to this by a different doctor). When I passed the hearing test(s) (slight to mild loss) along with air conduction test, bone conduction test, acoustic reflex test the ENT Dr. said I need a hearing aid??? I figured it was time to move on.

I will bring up the tests you mentioned during my next appointment (January). The only blood work I have done was routine annual checks.

again thanks for the input,
Kim

[Alffe]

Hi Mr.Kim....I'd check further into tinnitus. It often causes noises, clicking like or even cricket like sounds. And one of the treatments for it is using a hearing aid that puts a quiet noise in your ear...humming noise..etc..to distract from the noises you are hearing. If that makes any sense. *grin

[Wren]

Mr Kim ~ A CT or MRI is wonderful and can answer many questions. I hope you can get one of those soon.
Best wishes.

[maddejm]

Dear Mr. Kim,

I would agree with the previous posts. All are good suggestions. I would also be curious to see if you could keep a food diary and see if any of the symptoms parallel any foods you may eat, including MSG. Studies have shown that some people are sensitive to MSG and one of the symptoms is inflamation of nerve cells. Inflamation of the tempanic nerve in this instance could be the trigger. Wheat Gluten, eggs, citris, lactose, yeast to name a few are all documented allergins.

[Mr. Kim]

Originally Posted by maddejm

Dear Mr. Kim,

I would agree with the previous posts. All are good suggestions. I would also be curious to see if you could keep a food diary and see if any of the symptoms parallel any foods you may eat, including MSG. Studies have shown that some people are sensitive to MSG and one of the symptoms is inflamation of nerve cells. Inflamation of the tempanic nerve in this instance could be the trigger. Wheat Gluten, eggs, citris, lactose, yeast to name a few are all documented allergins.

Thanks,
I had not considered the food aspect. My wife is Japanese and we eat majority Japanese style meals. I will start a log of things we eat to see if there is any relation.

I signed up with a new Dr. since I became disappointed with the last one.

After explaining my symptoms, (I kept a log of my symptoms for a couple months) as a beginning she sent me to a x-ray of the sinus area (one of the symptoms is my sinus feels restricted, not in the nasal area but deeper in towards the eyes/ears). The results were normal. So next will be the other tests.

Thanks again.
Kim

[Mr. Kim]

Originally Posted by Mr. Kim

Thanks,
I had not considered the food aspect. My wife is Japanese and we eat majority Japanese style meals. I will start a log of things we eat to see if there is any relation.

I signed up with a new Dr. since I became disappointed with the last one.

After explaining my symptoms, (I kept a log of my symptoms for a couple months) as a beginning she sent me to a x-ray of the sinus area (one of the symptoms is my sinus feels restricted, not in the nasal area but deeper in towards the eyes/ears). The results were normal. So next will be the other tests.

Thanks again.
Kim

Well it has been a while and long trip.

I wanted to post my tests and trials to possibly help someone else.

since my last post and with the new Dr. I have had an Ultrasound in the neck (both sides) checking for blood flow.(Normal)
Then a CAT scan of the head. (normal)
Then sent to a Neurologist (finally) who gave this a possible title. "Stapedeus Myoclonus" and had me do an MRI (normal).
As I looked into this more I also came up with "Tensor Tympani" which I feel is closer to my symptoms.
I had been prescribed Depakote as a possible remedy, which had not helped. The prescription was changed to a generic for KLONOPIN which so far has not helped through one (January) episode. I will go for another month and see if any difference during my February episode.
Other than medication the other option is to snip the mussel.

Thanks for listing.

Mr. Kim

[darlindeb25]

Hi Mr. Kim...First time I ever checked out this section. I too, suffer from noises in my ears, and have now for years. Tinnitus has many explanations, and it also has no explanation. No one has found why I have it. I had a brain MRI, nothing...a sinus cat scan, nothing...several hearing tests, which I am amazed I passed with just minimal hearing loss. My ENT found nothing as the cause. He said there are many who they never find a reason, sometimes a day comes when the noises stop. I have had people with tinnitus tell me to stop the outside noises and use ear plugs when trying to sleep...now, that was horrible, it just magnifies the noise in my head.

I have been diagnosed with gluten intolerance, with double DQ1 genes subtype 6, almost identical. DQ1's are notorious for having gluten intolerance, neuropathies, arthritis, tinnitus, and many other intolerance's. As my daddy always says, "if you are going to do something, do it right!" I have everyone of those symptoms, plus a few. I also have Raynauds, and sleep apnea. Yesterday I had blood work done for Sicca/Sjogrens Disease. I was diagnosed with dry eyes over 2 yrs ago, and before CPAP, I had dry mouth, but nothing like now.

I can't eat any grains..no soy, corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice..no nightshades, no cruciferous veggies, no red meats, no shellfish, and the list goes on.

I was just wondering if there is any chance the tinnitus could be connected to Sicca. Well, maybe it's time you start eliminating some foods, see if an intolerance is the problem. Get tested for Celiac Disease first, then after the testing, go gluten free (wheat, rye, barley, and oats) and see if you start to feel better. Check out the Gluten Sensitivity section of this forum.