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Hi Everyone, I had sudden hearing loss last year that left me with a a very loud static sounding tinnitus in one ear (same as the one that with the SHL). I have done a few MRIs that show i have a vascular loop - an artery that has twisted and is now possibly touching the Auditory Nerve. Surgeons are recommending surgery but other specialists have told me that the Tinnitus is now a brain phenomenon (excitable neurons) and surgery will no longer relieve the tinnitus. I was wondering if anyone has had tinnitus for this reason and or possibly has had surgery, i realize this is a rare phenomenon. Much thanks, Tommy Nathan
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Hi Tommy,
Welcome to the forum.
As far as I am aware, surgery only would make sense if you had pulsatile tinnitus. This is quite different from the 'normal' (subjective) tinnitus, as it is not nerve related but an objective noise (a kind of pulsating whooshing sound) caused by the constricted blood flow in the artery.
I would say your SHL and tinnitus had/have nothing to do with your vascular loop.
Thomas
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Hi Thomas,
i really appreciate for your reply and comment. My tinnitus sound has not been identified by anyone, as they tell me both the volume and sound is objective. The sound i have a mixture, some very high frequency mixed with lower sounding tones. Can you recommend a website that i can check to find a tinnitus sound match? The ones i found are pretty crude and are far from replicating the tinnitus. Thanks again, Tommy
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Did they manage then to 'hear' your tinnitus with measuring probes? They should have if they say it is objective. If they can't detect it, then it is not objective, and so it can't be caused by vascular loops.
Don't worry too much about a sound match. That information is of little if any use (unless you want to do some sound therapy program for which this information is required, even those won't be able to deal with complex mixtures).
Thomas
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Hi Thomas, I dont believe the audiologist has tried to hear the tinnitus. Basically i have had hearing tests and another one relating to Vertigo (with wind blown in the ears) Do you know if this test has a name? i havent come across any doctors that know how to measure the tinnitus or try to detect it in any way. much thanks, Tommy.
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Simple hearing tests can not decide whether you have the 'normal' subjectve tinnitus or an objective one. Basically, one has to put a sensitive microphone in the ear canal to detect the latter. And if you haven't a tinnitus pulsating in the rhythm of your heartbeat, it is unlikely that they will detect anything, which pretty much rules out that your condition is caused by the vascular loop.
Thomas
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Thanks again Thomas. I will find out if they can do a test to see if anything can be heard to rule out the pulsating tinnitus. Its been a difficult journey and i would welcome surgery. Much thanks. Tommy
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