I've suddenly developed a high pitched ringing in my right ear.
it began on Monday, was less on Tuesday and seemed to disappear on Wednesday.
However, it is now Thursday and it's back again as bad as ever. I did a little research online and have read that if it's in one ear only it could be a tumour.
i am now terrified.
Can anyone help please??
i am a 44 year old female.
Thank you.
Hello
My name is Steve, I'm 40 years old and have been suffering with chronic tinnitus for about 6 months. Before this I had never had tinnitus.
Like you, my tinnitus started in my right ear only, and was accompanied by loss of balance. The doctor sent me for an MRI scan, in order to discount the possibility of an acoustic neuroma, which is what it sounds like you have read about on the internet. An acoustic neuroma is a very rare unexplained growth on the inner ear, which is generally harmless and totally benign (non-cancerous). Even if it is deemed necessary to remove it, the success rate is close to 100%.
The first thing to know about tinnitus is that it has so many causes that trying to self-diagnose online is simply not going to work. I did that and spent most of my time worrying about something which in the end turned out to be nothing serious at all. The vast majority of tinnitus causes are not serious. The best thing to do is go to your GP and see if he/she can send you to an ENT clinic at your local hospital, where they will try to find the cause of your tinnitus.
As for coping with the tinnitus itself day-to-day, it can be very upsetting to have constant hissing or ringing in your head, and in the worst case it can affect your sleep, which in turn makes you tired, stressed and more worried, which actually makes the tinnitus worse. I have developed coping strategies like always having the radio on in the house, in order to take my mind off the tinnitus. At night I have the radio on low, with an automatic 'off' timer. Diet too is a factor, so I've cut out caffiene and high sugar drinks/foods. Exposure to loud noise can make it worse, so protect your ears when you can. Learning to relax was something I had to force myself to do, but it has certainly helped.
There is some excellent advice and links for further support on the Tinnitus Clinic website.
Good luck, and try not to let it dominate your life. Millions of people have tinnitus, and although it is sometimes upsetting and maddening, it is usually nothing to do with serious conditions. Most areas also have tinnitus support groups, where sufferers can meet up and help each other.
Best wishes
Steve
Hi it's the most annoying thing to have,I've had it over 8years now,and my husband over 30 years.having that said it can just go as quick as it came.
My husband ignores his for most of the time except when really high,me it bothers big time.i get it both ears,hissing. I did have an MRI after an ENT appointment and a hearing test all clear,so don't go worrying.Think that's done automatic by ENT.
I believe air pressure is part of it,as I can go from indoors to outdoors and it will change my aunt says the same with hers,
Go get it checked,lots have tinnitus I joined the British Tinnitus Ass they do have a phone number you can ask someone regarding tinnitus what concerns you have .
Their use to any questions you have.so do give them a call .Stress I will say aggravates it,to do with blood flow ,so learn to relax ,put music on ,don't concentrate on the tinnitus ,it's the brain not understanding this strange noise.Its a condition that's what it is.not an illness,got to tell yourself that and believe it .
Thank you Steve. That's a great help. Especially knowing you had it in just the one ear too!
I will make a GP appointment. As I have had other ongoing health issues this last year, I'm reluctant to go in again - I don't want them to think I'm a raging hypochondriac!!
I'll keep you updated.
Many thanks again xx
Thank you for taking the time to reply Marlene.
It's driving me a bit crazy 
I'll have to make an appointment to see my GP - a bit reluctant (see my reply to Stevie) but I know I need to get checked out.
I was very worried when I read about the one ear thing
Thank you for your advice xxx
Hi mine began with a head virus,my husbands began with a heavy head could .you mentioned you had been unwell ,maybe that's the link to the noise,mine began with a feeling of deafness but felt I could still hear people talking normal ,a weird feeling,( this was after that virus of a 4months duration ) at the beginning it was in my left ear ,then the other few weeks later. Now it's always both .
I've noticed over time a hair dryer,hoovering will drop the tinnitus down.
I'm lucky I do sleep,sometimes if to loud it may take a while but I do sleep 7 to 8 hrs.What I will say is if you can't sleep,get up ,as it will stress you trying to sleep with the noise,then go back and try sleep again after a while.
Do go see dr to get referred to an ENT dept ,sooner than later. They deal with this daily. It just maybe due to your having been ill,and it will just go.
Good luck get back with outcome.xx
Hi, Did you go see anyone about this yet? I am a 57 year old female and my high pitched ringing started about 3 weeks ago in ONE ear and just won't go a way. I have been to a hearing specialist and there is nothing wrong with my hearing, but he said there was a difference in both ears with high pitched noise. He then got me worried as he said that this is NOT common in one ear and he would send the report to my GP. I am waiting to see an ENT but by that time I will self diagnose myself with everything under the sun. I too read about the tumour!!! I am also freaking out a bit!!! too much info on internet.
Hi Denise
I still have it too - my right ear only.
I saw the GP yesterday and have been referred straight to ENT as it's gone on so long - 5 weeks now.
I'm sure it's getting worse too. At first I could zone out but now it's keeping me awake and I can hear it in the day
I'm worried too.
Are you hypothyroid at all?
Please keep in touch. It's nice to have someone going through the same xxx
Ps - it's a 60 day wait until the ENT appointment xx
Hi to you and Denise,read your post,most who develope tinnitus goes through the same procedure your about to go on,mine it predominant in my left ear,with the right one jumping in for short measure.So don't let any of those weird off the wall feelings jump in,it stresses you all the more,been there done that.Mine of late have been high,I believe air pressure ,plays a good fair part in its behavior.and stress,so you both wait till you been seen by ENT,then go from there.wish you both good wishes,your not out there on your own,millions have this condition. xx
Hi to both pinkrat and marlene.
Marlene, yes I know we shouldn't jump to conclusions, and I wouldn't if the stupid Hearing guy didn't say "it is not common in one ear", but as you say we will have to wait until all tests are done and it seems that maybe it is more common than he said.
I am not sure where you guys are from, but 60 days will probably be what I will be told as well. I am canadian and I know getting into any type of specialist takes a while.
Pinkrat I do not have hypothyroidism, and I did get blood work done and nothing came back.
I have added an app to my phone "whitenoise" and sleep with the sound of an "airplane" at night, it definitely helps. During the day I know it is there, but I can tune it out with other sounds so doesn't bother me.
Have a good day
Hello again
I'm in the UK
I will have a look at the app - it sounds like a good idea though I'm not sure my partner will agree.
For years I've slept with earplugs but last night I tried to sleep without them and focus on the ticking clock, my partners snoring and road noise. Although it was far from perfect it was better than blocking out all other noises apart from the ringing in my head!
Have any of you been on any kind of vitamins?
About 2 days before this started I began taking Vitamin D and B12 - both in quite high doses due to other health issues. Is this pure coincidence? I've stopped both now (only a day or so ago) so will see if that makes a difference.
Speak soon xxx
Hi I'm in the UK to,tinnitus is the worsest of a condition to have.i also have a balance problem ,not easy balancing daily,Write down what you need to say at ENT,I did.ive had 3 hearing test ,1 MRI,and a CT scan ,as I've had neck ache since the tinnitus,So when at ENT ask about every scan they provide.I had camera down throat ,XRay up nose as I've got rhinitis as well,as you can see I've got fair bit to contend with since mine all began from a head virus.is it hormones doing a lot of it ?im no further ahead than when all this began,can only tell you what's been my story to date,but it may help you speed your outcome.Write it down,anything worrying you,then wait for there answers ,wish now I had.they deal with this day in day out.Wish I could wave a magic wand and have all this gone for everyone with this condition I truly do X
We who have this condition know more to its behavior than any one believe me,and why we look hard to making our days better,that don't stop the ringing / hissing etc,but you will get advice on how different people cope with it,why oh why did a dr put the wind up you,unforgivable I call that ,Everyone I know with this says one ear is far higher in volume,it cancels out the low one,that's why you only think it's in one ear..Don't google is my advice I've never ever done that for anything period,get better advice on site from ones with any condition you may have ,walk in my shoes springs to mind.x
Hi Mrs Pinkrat
for the app, I actually put the phone under my pillow. I also have a partner that snores and he didn't like the sound of the fan, so hain my own noise under my pillow works great 
Thanks for the tip about the Vitamin D, I googled and did find out htat it can cause Tinnitus. Over the past few months I started taking Vitamin D. Not that I am stupid, but most vitamins tell you to tkae 2 and I have been doing that. I came hoe today and read the label and it said to only take 1!! I am going to quit taking vit d tomorrow and see what happens.
Wish me luck
I've been using an app on my iPhone which helps.
but I keep having moments of absolute panic that I'm stuck with this forever.
i don't think I can cope
its all I can think about.
please help someone!
Hi all
Just wanted to update you on developments since my first post a couple of months ago.....
The main thing I want to say - especially to new sufferers- is that you do learn to live with it! I've rads through my old posts and was in utter diapause, could focus on nothing else etc.....
Well, initially I used the apps of white noise etc but basically just kept myself busy!! Too much time sitting worrying about it does not help!! A few minutes of being able to forget about it turns into a few hours which turn in to days....
Don't get me wrong - it's still there, but it is defintely NOT all consuming any more. So please, have faith, keep busy and give it time. Eventually, you can 'tune out'
Secondly, I've just had my first ENT appointment. Ear drums are fine and hearing is perfect. I've been referred for an MRI scan so will report back again after that.
Take care everyone and thank you to all on here for your support xxx
Hi
Did they give you any indication of what they thought the cause would be? I had an ENT appointment scheduled last week, but some "NICE person" from my GP office cancelled my appointment by accident. I was none too happy when I showed up for appt and told I did NOT have one and they were not booking until January!!!! They managed to get me into another ENT in September.
I have gone for the hearing test and all is good, but ringing is NOT going away, I think i am on week 13 or 14 now. As you say you get used to it, but I still find nights difficult
Good luck with MRI, how long before that appt?
All there ,in a nut shell. well done I'm a hisser rather than a dinger at the moment, but, as you well know, that could change overnight
Radio 4 is good for sending me off to sleep,, zzzzzzzzzzzzz
just noticed i'm a tad late with my comments Ah well, brain and eyes
must be out of gear as well now 