Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
Really odd question about ringing in the ears
I have been suffering with ringing in my ears for a couple years now. I started reading up on it in preparation to go to the doctor, and I found that tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is caused when the tiny hairs in your inner ears, which sent auditory signals to your brain, are damaged or killed. For some reason, when something happens to those hair cells, the brain perceives it as sound, and your ears ring.
Well, since I have alopecia pretty much everywhere, including inside my nose, it stands to reason that I could also be missing my inner ear hairs, which could be the cause of this problem.
I was just wondering if any fellow alopecians also suffer from ringing in the ears?
At this point, it's just a theory, but you never know!
Well, since I have alopecia pretty much everywhere, including inside my nose, it stands to reason that I could also be missing my inner ear hairs, which could be the cause of this problem.
I was just wondering if any fellow alopecians also suffer from ringing in the ears?
At this point, it's just a theory, but you never know!
-
Comment by Tina on May 4, 2010 at 8:27am
-
OH wow! i had no idea that is what it was... i do get the ringing alot in my ears, its strange! and i thought something was wrong with me. I ignored it!
-
Comment by Mary on May 4, 2010 at 9:42am
-
It's not an odd question at all.
In just the last couple of years (coincidentally, the same time I've become AU), I have developed severe tinnitus, which in my case, is a constant, loud high-pitched tone. Recently, I developed vertigo (the room spinning around), which is caused by an inner ear problem.
I have asked my doctor about whether the tinnitus or vertigo have any relationship to my AA, and he says the answer is no. The hairs in the inner ear are cilia, and are not the same type of hair as the hair that grows (or is supposed to grow) out of our skin.
-
Comment by Kari M on May 4, 2010 at 10:02am
-
I think it is still too much of a coincidence to dismiss out of hand . . . besides, doctors know so little about alopecia in general. I have no nose hairs either, and that is a different type of hair as well . . .
-
Comment by Heather L on May 4, 2010 at 10:19am
-
Hey!
I would think that anything that could "damage or stress" the inner ear - like loss of cilia could cause ringing in the ears. Seems logical.
Although there are other many conditions that can also cause ringing of the ears-- such a vascular problems,certain medication, wax build up.. etc. So I do think it is a good idea to run it by your doctor.
Have you noticed any hearing loss?
Mary- has your doctor evaluated you for Meniere's disease. ( which is characterized by tinnitus and
dizziness) Also have you notice it being worse after playing with your band? loud noise have any effect?
-
-
Thanks, Heather...I'm investigating the possibility of Meniere's.
-
-
I do have to sometimes ask people to repeat themselves . . . my ringing is pretty much constant but I notice it most when it's quiet. I do not have wax buildup or vascular problems, nor am I on any medication. It's not like I can make the cilia grow back . . . haha!!! But I will run it past my doctor, just to be safe.
Thanks!
Like I said . . . when I was reading up on tinnitus is just seemed like the loss of cilia was too much of a coincidence . . .
-
Comment by Tuesday on May 4, 2010 at 11:21pm
-
Kari - I posted a similar question back in December. Like you, I've developed ear issues over last few years. My issue is hyperacusis (extreme sensitivity to noise) and some tinnitus. I too have wondered if the issues were a result of my AU and loss of the so-called auditory hair cells. But, for what it is worth - in the process of getting referred to an Ears, Nose & Throat specialist, I visited an audiologist and had an hearing test. The audiologist seemed to think the answer might be "no" as she said the phrase "hair cell" was a bit of a misnomer - said the cilia was not the same fibre as our body and head hair. However she didn't rule it out. She said another staff audiologist has AU and he's not ever mentioned hearing issues!
Just my anecdotal musings - hope they help a bit. :-)
-
-
Let's keep sharing info on this. The audiologist I saw last year (I had two complete hearing exams) told me the same thing, unequivocally - the cilia in the inner ear are not the same structures or cells as hair follicles. But, I've known doctors to be wrong before.
-
-
Like I said before . . . there is too much of a coincidence to disregard completely . . . and everyone's alopeica affects them differently...
-
Comment by linda carraway on May 6, 2010 at 7:10am
-
WOW I never thought of it But yes I do get ringing in my ear and I have noticed hearing loss,this has been the last few months since everything fell out. Oh yes Mary I agree DOCTORS CAN BE WRONG, Ive even had drs that don't know about alopecia!!!!!
© 2024 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Alopecia World to add comments!
Join Alopecia World