End of May I was in a head on collision, suffered mild to moderate TBI( was told both?) and some thinking else I can never remember.

Since the accident I have had a white noise sounding tinnitus 24/7. I see an ENT this Tuesday and would suggestions on what to ask him regarding my issue. I have been told ENT's are basically useless when it come to tinnitus so I'm a bit worried that I won't receive any help.

I've also had other issues after being released for work after being putt off for 2 months. Centering around concentration, shipping things to wrong location( boss not happy about that one lol,) issues staying awake midday. Wondering how I should address those as well after my neuro said I was good to go back.

The only thing done in relation to my tinnitus at this point was a tuning fork test at my neuro's office by a med student who admitted he had no clue.

Thoughts/advice are appreciated.

Kfschall,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I'm sorry to say but there is not much that can be done to resolve tinnitus. Many of us have had tinnitus for quite some time. I've had it for almost 20 years. Mine comes and goes depending on a weird variety of factors. It gets worse when I eat or drink something. Sounds can make it worse.

Unless there is an inflammation of some kind that needs to be treated, you probably just need time with less stimulation. Have you had any upper neck therapy ? The upper neck can get injured but not be directly symptomatic. It can cause inflammation in the brain stem with reductions in vertebral blood flow, etc.

Check out the sticky at the top called Vitamins and Supplements. The injured brain needs good nutrition to handle the stresses of healing.

What other symptoms are you having ?

Have you had a Neuro Psychological Assessment ? They can identify you cognitive dysfunctions with an NPA.

btw, I just had a glass of water with my morning supplements so my ears are ringing like a bell. If I ignore it, it does not bother me. If I get stuck listening to the tinnitus, it takes over all sound I hear.

My best to you.

Thanks for the response and the welcome.

I had 2 months vestibular and speech therapy which concluded when I returned to work. I had a test with a speech therapist which I belive was an NPA.

It's mostly quiet in the office where I work, and that's where my problem is. I try and tune out my T, but when there is no other noise it makes it harder. Not allowed to have a radio and when I asked my boss, he says I have to prove I have the Tinnutus. Which is why I'm seeing an ENT.

Running inventory, placing shipping orders etc been difficult with my concentration problems while I hear the noise. I'm having problems stumbling over words, but has improved a lot since my accident.

I don't think there is any way to prove you have tinnitus. The ENT will likely only be able to tell you that you do not have a physiological cause. If I remember correctly, there is a rare condition where the one of the small bones in the ear can break and can cause a tinnitus like condition. Somebody here on NT had such a condition.

Would your boss allow you to have an MP3 player ? You can use one with on the ear headphones that allow you to hear people talking around you compared to ear buds that block most other sounds.

So, that would be the question to ask. Is your tinnitus bilateral ? If it is, the bone issues would not be likely. If you have tinnitus in both ears, even if it is louder in one, that suggest a neurological condition or problem with the auditory nerve system. So, the question would be: "I understand there is a rare condition where a little bone breaks or become dislodged causing tinnitus like sounds. Is this a possibility with me ?"

An audiologist/hearing aid specialist may be able to do some tests that show some specifics about your tinnitus. I know my tinnitus is just above the key of C#6 on a piano, just above 1108 Hz. Maybe an audiologist can check the frequency multiple times to confirm you can repeatedly identify the frequency of your tinnitus. That may be what some do with tuning forks. Maybe the ENT has a frequency generator to do this.

My best to you.

It's a potential safety issue is his argument , as I work in the warehouse portion of a local jail, and at any given time I have several inmate helpers around me at any given time.

I can hear fine, it's just the distractions the Tinnutus is when I'm in my office. Myself and my coworkers have to be able to see and hear them at all times.

Thanks again

Hi Kfschall,

Welcome to NeuroTalk Support forums.

I know several people with tinnitus. There doesn't seem to be an effective solution to date. Some have learned to ignore this somehow.

Mark has a lot of knowledge and insight; I am glad he was available to respond to your question(s).

I am glad you are here and are asking questions.
I wish I had thought of coming here to ask questions when I'd first sustained a concussion and was not recovering quickly.

Sounds like your employer needs to "go by the book" on "reasonable accommodations" for handicaps/disabilities/conditions needing extra consideration. This is a plus for you, as it means your employer is willing to make reasonable accommodations if criteria are met.

Many members of this forum are very knowledgeable about concussion, PCS, TBI. I am here learning from them. I am sorry I don't have suggestions for your tinnitus.

Again, welcome!
DejaVu

Hi and welcome to NT.

Not that it really matters for the recovery process, but FYI regarding the mild to moderate rating of your injury, the Glasgow coma scale is the most common scoring system. It evaluates eye opening, verbal and motor responses. GCS 3-8 is severe, 9-12 is moderate, 13-15 is mild. If you were treated in an ER this is probably in your hospital records.

That aside, regarding your cognitive deficits, the neurologist is probably not the best person to make that determination. If you have insurance for it I'd suggest seeing a clinical neuropsychologist for a neuropsychological assessment. They can test cognitive functioning using tests based on the symptoms, and make a quantitative and qualitative assessment of your functioning, and recommend a return to work or whether additional therapy is indicated.

Best to you as you recover.