@phxbarb Two years ago for the first time since my accident at age 16 I went to a orthopedist to have my neck checked out since my expected traumatic arthritis discomfort was becoming constant. My tilted discs were identified with x-ray and I was told I should do neck exercises. I did a few and I felt worse, Never went back because I was managing my pain well enough.
Then last year the tinnitus which I realize now I've had for years became louder and very noticeable without the background sounds during the day. If I wasn't married I think I would try soothing background music at a low volume because as you know when the tinnitus gets loud it makes falling asleep difficult. I was told to go to a neurologist who then wanted to rule out of a brain tumor which is a common cause of pulsative tinnitus. By the way I'm sure you've read that pulsative tinnitus is not a common form. For the MRI I refused the contrast solution injection because of my abundant allergies. The contrast improves the quality of the MRI. That said I was told my scan clearly showed no tumors and they found a very tiny small bleed, an non related issue to pulsative tinnitus in my brain which is typical of aging. I never got any clear answer about my tilted neck discs causing this issue. Also I have been telling doctors for years that I can hear my pulse in my left ear so I know when my blood pressure is high because it gets really loud, I simply get a blank look.
You should get the MRI, but I'm betting with our similar histories you don't have a brain tumor causing you tinnitus, it's the pressure on our nerves from our neck disc trauma caused by our worsening traumatic arthritis. Keep me posting. I'm just in a holding pattern right now.