HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Medical Tests To Rule Out Tinnitus

default
Posted on Thu, 10 Mar 2016
Question: Hi
How are you

I have had tinnitus in both ears for 3 years now. I have had allergies my whole life to wheat, dust,tobacco, oil or fried food, shampoo among other things.

When the ringing started i was working 3 different shift during the week, so i was sleeping very little (3 hours) and was getting really stressed out. And my diet was not good either. I had low borderline hdl (43) and borderline high ldl (134) back then. And some times i would wake up sweating in the morning, and I remember my calfs got swollen a few times back then.

All the ENT I went to, disregarded the cholesterol results and they told me i have allergies and they only prescribed me steroidal nasal sprays. They said my middle ear is fine, but they only looked into my ear from the outside.

My question is can the doctors know that there is no middle ear infection or eustachian tube blockage, by just looking from the outside,without xrays or MRI?

Thanks

XXXX


It is valid to mention that i started smoking hookah a month before the ringing started. And I remember i got my first ringing incident while smoking hookah and i had my earphones on while i was listening to some online lectures.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Hariom Sharma (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Doctors can know through the Otoscopic examination of the ear

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I have gone through your query; and for your kind information doctors can know through otoscopic examination of the ear about the status of the middle eat and Eustachian tube. They make few or all possibilities on the basis of the history or information that you provide. They confirm them by examination. Investigations are not needed in a lot of cases for true clinicians. Now coming to middle ear infections and ET blockage there are few ways the infection spread and his questions to you might have included the possibilities of that infection.

To rule out the cause of your tinnitus such as sensorineural hearing loss, Eustachian tube dysfunction you may go for the
1. Pure tone audiometry test and
2. Impedance audiometry.

These both test are absolutely necessary I the case of tinnitus instead the X Ray or MRI as described by you in your question.

Further management depends on the above mentioned test results.

Regards
Dr Hariom Sharma, MS, XXXXXXX
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Hariom Sharma

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 1113 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Medical Tests To Rule Out Tinnitus

Brief Answer: Doctors can know through the Otoscopic examination of the ear Detailed Answer: Hi Sir, I have gone through your query; and for your kind information doctors can know through otoscopic examination of the ear about the status of the middle eat and Eustachian tube. They make few or all possibilities on the basis of the history or information that you provide. They confirm them by examination. Investigations are not needed in a lot of cases for true clinicians. Now coming to middle ear infections and ET blockage there are few ways the infection spread and his questions to you might have included the possibilities of that infection. To rule out the cause of your tinnitus such as sensorineural hearing loss, Eustachian tube dysfunction you may go for the 1. Pure tone audiometry test and 2. Impedance audiometry. These both test are absolutely necessary I the case of tinnitus instead the X Ray or MRI as described by you in your question. Further management depends on the above mentioned test results. Regards Dr Hariom Sharma, MS, XXXXXXX