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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be worried about a brain tumour? (Tinnitus related).

55 replies

Moveandlonsters · 23/07/2019 10:44

I have tinnitus, it’s really loud, only in 1 ear and constant. I also have anxiety and after Googling I’ve convinced myself I have a brain tumour. I’m waiting for a ENT referral to come through, and waiting for CBT for the anxiety.

But in the meantime has anyone had tinnitus in just 1 ear at a constant noise level for months and it not been anything bad?

OP posts:
mrspotatohed · 23/07/2019 20:28

I have hearing loss and tinnitus, I also had blinding agonising headaches after sex that left me rolling around the bed wanting to be sick. MRI scans all clear and a nasal spray for cephalgiaSmile

MitziK · 23/07/2019 20:34

Mine's related to inflammation from Psoriatic Arthritis - the volume goes right down as soon as I've had a steroid shot.

Dec2019mumtobe · 23/07/2019 20:50

I've had it for about ten years and never seen a doctor about it. Some days it's worse than others, especially if I have a migraine coming on.

Dec2019mumtobe · 23/07/2019 20:51

I have a theory mine is down to tmj

www.tmj.org/site/page?pageId=35

GoGoJo · 23/07/2019 20:56

Yep pulsation tinnitus in one ear. Had an MRI. All fine. Goes away periodically but comes back when I fly/ bad cold/ hay fever so I think it's to do with pressure.

Stupid question probably but have you tried equalising your ears?

Try to ignore it, definitely easier to live with. Listen to music/radio when falling asleep.

Moveandlonsters · 23/07/2019 21:32

I’ve tried everything. The reason I’m more concerned is it’s just so damn loud and there all the time. It never goes away even a little bit.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 23/07/2019 21:42

The more you listen for it and worry about it the worse it'll be. Try keeping music on (or white noise) and try to reduce your stress.

ombre123 · 23/07/2019 23:25

Hi OP
It's very very rare to have a brain tumour cause your symptoms. I'm currently awaiting an MRI scan for the same sort of thing. My doc is doing the tray as a precaution but he's pretty sure from my symptoms that I have Ménière's disease.
Please please don't worry and step away from google!! X

Youwantshoesinashoeshop · 23/07/2019 23:32

Even if you did have an acoustic neuroma causing this, that is the kind of tumour you'd want to have if any. Benign, accesible, etc. Unilateral hearing loss possible but comparatively not so bad.

This is what I concluded when I had my unilateral tinnitus investigated. Two things make it worse: excessive violin playing (makes tmj issues worse); and iron deficiency.

Nithing to see on my MRI although I did discover I have some sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, not in keeping with my age.

StCharlotte · 23/07/2019 23:42

How long have you had it OP?

coatlessinspokane · 23/07/2019 23:45

Have a look at YouTube for some sound therapy videos. There is one I listen to every night but try a few to see which works for you.

jigsawpiece · 23/07/2019 23:56

You need to break the cycle of constantly listening to it. I have a little machine which makes cricket noises, the audiologist told me to put the volume just below the level of the tinnitus. But there are plenty of animal noises, white noise, rain sounds etc apps... on Amazon Alexa too...try a few until you find one that "interferes" with the tinnitus (ie gets between you and it)

Mine started from ear infection damage 12 years ago.

Wavyheaded · 24/07/2019 00:27

You could have an ear infection, that can cause pulsatile tinnitus. Or certain meds could be causing it. Happened to two people I know.

My boyfriend also has a brain tumour (acoustic neuroma) and it causes him terrible pulsatile tinnitus, he often can't hear things, but he takes phytonutrients and other supplements, which help take the noise down a fair bit.

Musicalstatues · 24/07/2019 14:52

Yes, I’ve had tinnitus in and off for years but since the beginning of the year I’ve had it constantly in my left ear. Drives me bonkers. I went to the drs because googling told me that one sided tinnitus could occasionally indicate a serious problem, and they referred me for an MRI which was all clear. They were at pains to tell me how incredibly rare it is, they just have to rule it out. Now I’ve just been referred on to a tinnitus management clinic - first appointment at the end of October.

AzraiL · 24/07/2019 14:59

Get your eyes checked and make sure they take a scan of your eyes. Intracranial hypertension symptoms can mimic those of a brain tumor, which is what i ended up having.

AhNowTed · 24/07/2019 15:05

OP have you had your hearing tested.

I've had tinnitus for 3 years now. Very loud hissing noise in one ear.

It's caused by hearing loss and your brain overcompensating for the loss, and it basically inserts the noise.

I now wear hearing aids.

NoBaggyPants · 24/07/2019 15:15

Search for Oticon in the app store, it's a sound app that has been developed by clinicians for tinnitus.

It will be so much worse if you focus on it.

monkey1978 · 24/07/2019 15:43

Yes I've had tinnitus in just one ear for about 15 years!

Letitbegin · 24/07/2019 16:02

I have tinnitus in my right ear have done for over 9 years. I got an mri and results came back fine no tumour but like you I was googling like mad. It drove me insane but you definitely get used to it and it doesn't bother me at all anymore. Mine is definitely worse when I'm stressed or anxious. Time will help you get used to it. When I first got it I was crying every day thinking I would never escape it. It's easier said than done but try and ignore it!

ddl1 · 24/07/2019 16:10

I am sorry about the tinnitus, as it's quite unpleasant to have it. I know loads of people who've had tinnitus, and it's usually due to ear trouble such as an infection. I don't know anyone where it was due to a brain tumour. (And as I understand, by the way, even in the very rare occasions where tinnitus is caused by a brain tumour, the type of tumour that has that as a symptom is almost always non-malignant.) I hope that you get to see the doctor shortly and that all your worries, and hopefully the tinnitus itself, are put at rest.

CSIblonde · 24/07/2019 16:26

Why do you think it's a brain tumour if that's your only symptom? FWIW my Dads brain tumour started with fainting, blackouts, constant agonising headaches, vision problems & intermittent inability to co ordinate his limbs. It then progressed to hallucinations both visual & auditory & vomiting. It was diagnosed by his Optician who gave us a sealed letter for his Dr. I was a gobby, mature 19, so my DM was over ruled & letter was swiftly opened while my Dad went back to bed. I really think youre OK OP.

Moveandlonsters · 25/07/2019 11:07

I’ve had the constant tinnitus for 4 months, in that time it’s got progressively louder and I’ve become more and more worried. If it was only going to be a benign tumour (if anything at all) I think I would worry less. My concern is that if benign tumours can cause those symptoms, so can malignant ones. I’m not sure if that’s just me catastrophising.

OP posts:
TheFridgeRaider · 25/07/2019 11:26

Mine disappeared after I changed my pillow and sorted my neckBlush
One day I just randomly realised that the noise stops if I position my head in a certain angle so I went with it

LoobyLou1976 · 25/07/2019 11:40

Do you /have you in the past listened to loud music or attended loud events and concerts on a regular basis? The overwhelming cause for tinnitus in the modern age is inner ear damage caused by over exposure to damaging levels of noise. This is how I caused my own tinnitus (headphone usage at ridiculous volume) over the course of a few years, and I've now had pretty bad tinnitus for 4 years.

How you react to it in the beginning plays a HUGE part in how you will deal with it long term. Try your hardest NOT to focus on it and listen to it/compare it every day because every time you do this you are strengthening the neural connections to your tinnitus, making it louder and possibly permanent. You need to weaken those neural pathways by focusing on things other than your tinnitus, always have low level background noise on, invest in a sound machine if you want that plays different noises (I use mine at night for sleep) and a pair of 'sleep-phones', soft headband type headphones that you can sleep in comfortably. This will all help take your brain away from the tinnitus noise.

When I first got it I was convinced my life was over. I was depressed, lost lots of weight, had very black thoughts. believe me when I say most people learn to live with it over time. There is no cure at the moment but that may change if there is enough research. The problem is that it is caused by so many factors.

There are forums (tinnitus talk) but sometimes these used to make me focus even more on the tinnitus, so they may not be your best place at the moment.

After 4 years I am much better, I still wish I had my silence back, but I have learned to live with it. For those who have never had tinnitus at debilitating levels, it is hard to describe, but please don't think this is an easy condition to live with. Imagine having an alarm clock strapped to your head 24 hours a day for the rest of your life. There is no escape. Could you live with that? Can you imagine why some people can't?

Finally, try to imagine your tinnitus like a candle flame. In the day time, with all the other lights in the room, lamps, tvs, daylight etc, that candle flame is barely noticeable, just one light among many other lights. Now imagine that same candle flame at night, when it is quiet and dark with no other distractions around. That flame is suddenly the brightest and only thing in the room and you can't take your eyes off it. It' s the same with tinnitus. When you make it your sole focus, it can and does take over you life. The trick is to surround yourself with lots of other stimulation, low level noise, and to keep busy. The tinnitus flame with get smaller and smaller until it is just one light among many.

Good luck.

Moveandlonsters · 25/07/2019 11:45

No I’m one of those strange people who doesn’t care for music, loud or otherwise. I think that’s why I’m finding it so difficult. I need my silence.

OP posts: