Cervical tinnitus

@ggr
Are you referring to cervical spine issues causing tinnitus? I have this (cervical spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and myelopathy spinal cord injury) and had 2 ACDF spinal surgeries. I believe this plus my small fiber neuropathy has caused some hearing loss, too. My cervical spine compression also caused daily headaches and neck/shoulder/shoulder blade pain and many symptoms in arms/legs/bladder.

Yes. I have had tinnitus for quite a while. Do not remember when I first noticed it, but have a new hearing aid that I hoped would help, but doesn't do much. Two years ago I was in a car wreck. The scans showed degenerative disc disease around the C2 and C3 area. I feel a little tingle from time to time. I have found info online about tinnitus being caused by this because it affects nerves around the ear. Still not real clear on it. I just found this info so have not brought it up with the man who fitted me with the hearing aid. I will not be surprised if he has never heard of it.

I am sorry about the problems you have endured. Your hearing loss issue fits with the cervical tinnitus problem.

@ggr
I’m sorry to hear of your accident. I had a whiplash injury over 13 years ago after a rear ended car accident on the highway (around construction area). How long ago did you have your accident and MRI of your cervical spine? Does it show disc bulges/herniations or bone spurs/osteophytes that are pressing on nerve roots and/or spinal cord? Is there any issue with the alignment of your vertebrae? This can cause pain/weakness/numbness symptoms and distorted communications between brain/body. You may want to follow up with an orthopedic spine specialist.

@ggr
P.S. I meant to say that after my first ACDF surgery, my daily headaches, neck/shoulder pain and tinnitus symptoms, etc. improved. I still have some tinnitus sounds and some permanent hearing loss plus have to deal with a congenitally narrow spinal canal with ongoing problems with degeneration. I really do hope you can get some answers and help with your tinnitus/hearing to get to the root cause. It is really hard to deal with tinnitus, especially when trying to fall asleep. I rely on background noise (fan, air filter, etc.) to help block out some of the tinnitus sounds.

My accident was two and a half years ago. My injury was 7 rib fractures. I was hit in the side motor. If it had hit the door I don't know if I would have survived. The cervical spine issue was long in the making. Many years of book work and sewing and bad posture. I am going to contact a spine specialist to see if they will treat it. My understanding is that it is wearing a collar for some time daily over a period of weeks. I think it's a matter of realigning the way I hold my head. It's worth s try.

There are other issues with spurs etc in other areas of the spine. I am having some numbness in feet and leg that I suspect is related to lower back. I have been fortunate not to have pain so far.

@ggr
If you have any questions, I have had lots of issues with cervical and lumbar spine plus MRIs, spinal injections, PT, 2 cervical spine decompression/fusion surgeries and 1 lumbar decompression/fusion surgery. I also have lots of experience with neurologists and EMG/nerve conduction studies to test nerve/neuromuscular health and signals to arms/legs. My spine issues have caused many symptoms (pain, weakness, numbness, balance/coordination issues, etc. making standing, sitting, walking, lifting difficult). Surgery has helped some but fusions change body biomechanics.

@ggr

Your accident and rib fractures must have been so painful. I am glad you survived the crash.

Keep in mind that your cervical spine can affect your lower body, too. All symptoms in lower body may not just be from lumbar spine. A neurologist can test you for small fiber neuropathy via skin punch biopsy and bloodwork plus do an EMG/nerve conduction study of arms/legs to see if you have a compressed/pinched spinal nerve causing radiating symptoms to your limbs.

Thanks so much. I am going to try to find a doctor and get an evaluation. I may contact you again if I have questions.