Tinnitus and ear pressure after mild exercise
 

Hi All, I'm curious if anyone has information about the following issue I've been dealing with. Here is a brief summary:

After mild exercise or anytime I have an increased heart rate, I get ear pressure, ear fullness, ear pain and tinnitus. For about 2 days afterward, the sides of my head and my face has mild pain or pressure. The tinnitus is severe for 2 days or so before it calms down. Sometimes it comes with eye strain and mild dizziness. I can feel my heartbeat pulsating in my head when I stand up or walk up stairs.

My biggest concern is the tinnitus. The tinnitus seems to be getting progressively worse and I'm concerned this is causing permanent damage to my hearing.

At first I thought this was an exertion headache and it would go away on its own. But it's been about 4-5 months and it has not improved. I started doing dumbbell exercises about 2 years ago and there was no issues at all until about 4-5 months ago. At first the symptoms were mild, but over the course of about a month, they got severe enough where I had to stop my workout routine. But now I even feel the symptoms when I just go for a long walk or mow the lawn or do 10 pushups. Any physical activity is causing the symptoms. I think the hot weather makes it worse.

Based on the research I've done, I think it has something to do with too much blood flow to the ear, or not enough blood flow to the ear. It could be exercise induced eustachian tube dysfunction, but I don't think that would cause ear pain and tinnitus for 2-3 days after mild exercise.

I went to see a doctor, had an MRI of my head and also ruled out heart problems. Has anyone else had these symptoms? Did they ultimately go away? what caused the symptoms to alleviate? Is this causing permanent tinnitus or permanent hearing loss? The ear pressure and pain would not really be a bad problem if it didn't come with the ringing of the ears. The tinnitus is increased for 2 days after a workout and even when it goes down, it seems to not return to the previous low. It is getting progressively worse I think. Any help is much appreciated.

Hi Thomas

Welcome to NeuroTalk; I hope you will find the community both knowledgeable and supportive :).

I am sorry to read about your tinnitus;

The general information here might help you.

What Is Tinnitus? — Causes and Treatment | NIDCD

Best wishes.

[I can feel my heartbeat pulsating in my head]
I had that when my neck muscles were in severe spasms.
Might be too much weight lifting /weight too heavy and too many reps, computer/phone use, reading or desk work??

can tight neck muscles cause pulsatile tinnitus - Google Search


Also trigger points can cause many of your other symptoms..many areas are able to be self treated with hands or other available options in your home..certain areas near artery/veins should be left to pros..
More info...
Head and Neck | The Trigger Point & Referred Pain Guide
Pain Reference Chart

Soft tissue injuries can be tricky since it doesn't show on imaging..

A good PT or DC should be able to evaluate if neck /muscles might be the problem..

Welcome Thomas. :yahoo::

Kitt