Whooshing and whistling in my ear driving me bonkers!

[HeckinMiffed]

For months I've had this really annoying noise in my left ear. Sounds like when you hear your babys heartbeat and you can hear whooshing noise if you know what I mean? It can increase in pitch till its almost whistling.
Theres no reason for it happening, if I stand up or bend over I hear it. Or just sitting. Or turn my head. Or nothing. It just starts.
I try to open my mouth wide to stop it or shake my head or well sometimes nothing stops it.
I can be in bed and it starts if I lie different.
It is getting to the stage where its unbearable. I feel anxious and stressed cos I can't bloody hear cos of the whooshing. I'm already on antidepressants for anxiety/depression, have been for years.
Has anyone any tips before I lose my mind? thanks

Go and see your GP

I sympathise OP. I had tinnitus for years after my first pregnancy. It’s either reduced an awful lot, or I have become totally accustomed to it, in the last few years. Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to tinnitus and is an easy fix with supplements. Worth a try.

Best to see your GP, it can be caused by high blood pressure or blood vessel disorders or it can be completely benign, but it needs attention.

Yes, I agree with PP, you must see your GP (mine sent me to an ENT consultant and to have a CT scan) but B12 and maybe iron supplements might be worth a go while you are (inevitably) waiting for your appointment.

I've tried to get an appointment, my GP Practice is closed for the week due to staff shortages, so I've absolutely no hope! I'll look out for B12 supplements and have raided the guinea pigs kale for some iron!

I get this occasionally, it’s so annoying

I’ve had tinnitus for over 25 years now and have learnt to cope with it so that it rarely bothers me now.

It’s important to get the GP to check your ears to ensure there is no excess wax or problems with your ear drum etc. Ask for an ENT referral.

In the early days when I first got it I discovered that when I felt panicky at the noise levels it helped to sit down and concentrate on breathing slowly and deeply, over and over. It really did help being the volume down significantly- at least the perception of it. The more stressed you get the worse it will feel. You really need to find a way to relax and focus on tuning out the worst of the sounds. Have a look at the British Tinnitus Association website.

Mine was caused by TMJ Dysfunction, glue ear, and constant ear infections (like 10-12 per year). I had grommets for the glue ear, dental treatment for the TMJ, and the grommets also helped with the infections. Together with learning to tune out the noise it has helped reduce it to the level where it’s ok most of the time.

The whooshing could be high blood pressure so you need that checked, and Menieres Disease can cause tinnitus.

About 10 years ago I had mild depression and the GP suggested anti-depressants however I had to stop them within a week as it set the tinnitus off something terrible. As soon as the drugs were out of my body (maybe 1-2 weeks later) the sounds returned to low level. Apparently some AD can cause or worsen tinnitus so that could be worth considering.