AN in one ear but Tinnitus in both?

[jackflorey]

Hi all,

Thank you for sharing your experiences and wisdom on this forum.

I'm a newly diagnosed AN patient (45 years old, 9.5 mm x 5.7 mm x 4.5 mm) in the left ear. I'm currently on wait and watch status. My hearing tests show moderate hearing loss at high frequencies in the AN ear, but also some tiny hearing loss in the non-AN ear at high frequencies. I think I perceive some tinnitus in my non-AN ear, but I'm not sure. Has anyone else experienced this?

The MRIs with and without contrast don't reveal anything significant in my non-AN ear...so I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced slight tinnitus in the non-AN ear.

Many thanks!

[madonal1]

I do not sure why

[ANGuy]

Yes.  I'm 47 with similar hearing issues.  My 1cm AN is in my left ear.  Both ears have modest high-frequency hearing loss.  My AN ear also has low-frequency hearing loss.  High-frequency loss is often attributed to noise exposure.  I've spent my life operating trucks, motorcycles and firearms.  Even with protection, I often didn't utilize it at times I thought that some noises weren't that bad.  My kids are much better protected from noise than I was.

As for tinnitus, I've had it my whole life.  it was always very slight, barely noticable.  Even as a young kid, before I new what it was, I heard a very slight ringing in my ears.  It never bothered me.  Now, it is MUCH more noticeable.  I do hear it in both ears.  It is not like when I was a kid.  It is very loud in my AN, and less loud, but still noticeable, in my "good" ear.  It varies daily, but it is always there.

It doesn't bother me.  I won't say I like it, but it is like being short.  I'm short at 5'06".  I'd like to be taller, but it doesn't bother me that I'm short.

Distraction is the key.  I always have the radio or TV on unless I'm out on foot, and then I'm distracted by what I'm doing like walking or watching my kids play sports etc.  Even reading will distract me from it.

[arizonajack]

Same here. I'm 68. I've had tinnitus in my left ear (not the AN ear) for about 10 years. It's the continuous hissing of a tire losing air. Fortunately, it's very low volume and I can mostly ignore it.

Tinnitus in my right ear (the AN) started in Mid-December 2011 along with a catastrophic loss of hearing on that side, balance issues, and dry eyes. At first the right side tinnitus sounded like faint wind chimes playing Silent Night. After a couple of months the sounds started changing and alternated between Morse Code, boop boops, and tuning forks. Always very faint, barely noticeable and easily ignored. There were also frequent long periods of no tinnitus at all, like now, when all I can hear is the tire deflating in my left ear.

[Mickey]

Hi Guys! ANguy,  I  seems that I have the same exact scenerio as you...  Diognosed going into 8 years now 1cm an with all the same symptoms and similar bacground....  I`ve been posting a long time on the W+W brigade post board and have had good success with most of what we say and do there.  Jack, take your time and stay informed, everything is going to be allright...  Best wishes, Mickey

[keithmac]

Hi all,

Thank you for sharing your experiences and wisdom on this forum.

I'm a newly diagnosed AN patient (45 years old, 9.5 mm x 5.7 mm x 4.5 mm) in the left ear. I'm currently on wait and watch status. My hearing tests show moderate hearing loss at high frequencies in the AN ear, but also some tiny hearing loss in the non-AN ear at high frequencies. I think I perceive some tinnitus in my non-AN ear, but I'm not sure. Has anyone else experienced this?

The MRIs with and without contrast don't reveal anything significant in my non-AN ear...so I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced slight tinnitus in the non-AN ear.

Many thanks!

When tinnitus started in my a.n. ear (eventually diagnosed as a tumor four years later after major hearing loss) I had barely any noise in my other - I checked and monitored it at that time and have constantly monitored it ever since. 

During the years since my first symptoms (balance issues and tinnitus) the noise in the 'good' side has increased but is (thankfully) still way less than that in my 'bad' side.  I haven't been subjected to industrial or other loud noises and my hearing in the 'good' side is average for my age of 67.

[MG]

Hi everyone,
I have question. I also have tinnitus but now I also have a throbbing sound like a heart beat in the AN left ear. When I was first diagnosed I had this also. I then had a MRA along with the MRI. Nothing showed up on the MRA. Now it is back after more then a year. Anyone else have this. It drives me a little crazy hearing it. .

Thanks, MG (Cathy)

[keithmac]

Might that be pulsatile tinnitus?  'Tinnitus Talk' forums likely have information about that condition.

[MG]

Thanks Keithmac. I will check that out!