Is Constant Tinnitus In Both Ears A Serious Sign Dangerously High Blood Pressure?

Posted on Sat, 31 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 31 Mar 2018 Answered on

Fri, 26 May 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had almost constant tinnitus (a more or less steady tone) in both ears for some years now. I do not believe it is due to medications, since it started before I began fluoxetine (only 20 mg/day). Is there anything I should try that might reduce or eliminate it? Also, sometimes I wake up with a "clanging" sound instead, with the rhythm obviously the same as my pulse. Is that a sign of dangerously high blood pressure? (My mother died in her sleep, possibly due to stroke. I have 14 years to go before I'll be her age, but I'm also not female.)
Invoice #— HCM317480

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Possibly due to age related degenerative changes of the hearing apparatus

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

You have developed tinnitus which is possibly not related to medications anyway. Sensorineural degenerative changes or even certain viral infections can give rise to such presentations as you have described and your doctor is correct in saying that it would possibly subside on its own. The organ of hearing lies in our inner ear (vestibulocochlear apparatus) and is also associated with the sense of balance. Vestibulocochlear stabilizing agents like Cinnarizine or Betahistine might be needed. Please discuss with your treating physician whether they would be right for you.

I need to ask you if you have caught a cold. There is a thin tube on each side connecting between the inner throat and the middle ear (Eustachian tubes). The purpose of these tubes is to equalize the air pressure inside the middle ear cavity. Mucus block of these tubes leads to pressure imbalance leading to indirectly affecting the vestibulocochlear apparatus. Steam inhalation should help as water in form of vapor will reach deep inside. It would help in diluting the mucus, thus providing relief.

If it does not subside in 2-4 weeks, an audiometry would need to be done to understand the exact nature of the problem. In any case I do not find a correlation with your mother's death while she was asleep. You need not assume that even at the same age you would meet with the same fate.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha
General & Family Physician

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D