Question: I have almost non-stop buzzing in my ears which has gotten louder over the past few months. Lately, I get occasionally momentary spasms of dizziness along with some pressure in my forehead. What is scary about a second after tha occurs I hear what sounds like the crackling of glass breaking in my left ear. Please help me understand the buzzing in my ears before I lose my sanity
Answer: First of all, as always, our answers are meant to be generalized information that should not supplant the care of your physician.
Tinnitus is a common symptom that affects millions of Americans. Some studies have shown that everyone will hear some tinnitus or “phantom noises” if in a quiet enough sound proofed space. However, any new onset or change in tinnitus should be evaluated, as it can be, rarely, a sign of a worrisome or treatable medical condition.
While many medications have been tried for tinnitus, little has been proven effective. There are newer treatments attempting to habituate the hearing nerve to (get the ear to tune out) the sounds.
You can read more about such treatments on our web site-
Dr. Neil Sperling is a fellowship trained neuro-otologist who has specific expertise in this and other hearing and ear problems- and can be seen in consultation in our office.
Our office can give you specific information about your insurance coverages at 212-889-8575..
Robert Pincus MD
Frequently Asked Questions
The buzzing sound, known as tinnitus, affects millions of Americans and can be caused by a variety of factors including exposure to loud noises, ear infections, or other medical conditions. Sometimes tinnitus occurs without an identifiable cause and can be normal if experienced briefly in very quiet environments.
You should see a doctor if you experience new onset tinnitus or a change in your existing tinnitus, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness, ear pressure, or unusual sounds like crackling. These signs may indicate an underlying treatable medical condition that requires evaluation.
While many medications have been tried, few have proven effective for tinnitus. Newer therapies aim to habituate the hearing nerve, helping the brain to tune out the phantom sounds. Consultation with a neuro-otologist can help explore these modern treatment options.
A fellowship-trained neuro-otologist, like Dr. Neil Sperling mentioned on the page, specializes in hearing and ear disorders including tinnitus. Consulting such a specialist ensures expert evaluation and access to advanced treatment options.
Although tinnitus is common and often harmless, new or worsening tinnitus may rarely indicate a serious or treatable underlying medical condition. It is important to have an evaluation to rule out such causes, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness or ear pressure.
Dizziness along with tinnitus and ear pressure should prompt you to seek medical evaluation promptly. These combined symptoms may reflect issues within the ear or nervous system that need specialized assessment by a neuro-otologist.
You can read more about tinnitus treatments and new habituation therapies on specialized medical websites or by consulting a neuro-otologist. The page also suggests contacting their office for detailed information and insurance coverage.
