Tinnitus With Alendronate

I have been taking Alendronate weekly for four months and have noticed a worsening of tinnitus, particularly at the very high frequency level. It is constant and unrelenting.

Thanks for your reply @glassical.

This is exactly what I've been experiencing. I'm not sure if it began gradually or just suddenly appeared! It's a constant "ringing" (more whining in my opinion) at a high frequency. It does seem to lessen at times, but is constant. It's especially noticeable during the early morning hours, around 3 AM. Maybe it's what wakens me.

aacatsaregreat,
long term use of bisphosphonates can cause osteonecrosis in the small bones of the ear which can be initially sensed as tinnitus.
Both your short term use and the timing of your tinnitus make me suspect that you might be having silent reflux.
Alendronate increased the risk of reflux and individuals with reflux also often have tinnitus. When the smallest amount of gastric acid travels to the middle ear it is more difficult to maintain a balance of pressure.
The tinnitus you are experiencing may be unrelated to the alendronate, but the literature notes an association.

I have experienced tinnitus both while on Tymlos and Fosamax. I have mastered a trick to stop this bothersome noise. Using my hand, I make a cup to cover the entire ear and do pumping motion to push air in and out of the ear canal. It seems to work.

Thank you for the info. Is the tinnitus in one ear or both ears? I've been on Fosamax, but stopped due to acid reflux, now on Reclast. Didn't know the connection with reflux and Fosamax.

Me too. I had it before but it worsened after Tymlos. I stopped the medication because of severe leg cramps which have stopped now that I'm not taking Tymlos. I'm supposed to switch to Forteo but there is such a long list of risks and side effects that I can't bring myself to do it. I feel so much better off the Tymlos, although the tinnitus has not decreased at all.

I have read that osteoporosis can cause ringing in the ears and that you are more susceptible to hearing loss. it makes sense since you have 3 tiny bones in your ear. My ears began ringing right before I was diagnoses with Osteoporosis before I was on any medication. One study found that taking bisphosphonates did not increase your risk of hearing loss but it is important to get your ears checked every year if you have osteoporosis.