Sudden onset of bilateral tinnitus, changing from high-pitched to multiple sounds.
symptom
This is a case of tinnitus that suddenly developed two and a half months ago. Initially, the right ear was the most affected, but the difference between the left and right ears soon disappeared, and the sensation changed to one of ringing inside the head. The sound is mainly high-pitched, such as "peep" and "squeak," but also includes sounds like "hiss" and "buzz." The symptoms are more noticeable when the ears are covered. Hearing tests at an ENT clinic showed no significant hearing loss, and due to anxiety about drug therapy, the patient transferred to a psychosomatic medicine clinic where treatment with medications with fewer side effects was attempted, but no improvement was seen. Irregular work in a noisy factory is considered a possible trigger for the onset of the tinnitus.
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Visitors
Male
30's
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Period
February 2020 - March 2020
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Visit Frequency per week
About 1
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Number of Visits
16 to 20
Treatment and progress
At the initial consultation, significant tension was observed in the trapezius muscle. Treatment was performed using acupressure points on the trapezius muscle, back, and hands. After the first treatment, the patient noticed a reduction in tinnitus upon returning home, although there were times when the symptoms were temporarily more severe. Similar treatment was continued thereafter, and although there were periods when the nature of the symptoms changed, such as a mixture of "hissing" and "shhh" sounds, overall there was a gradual trend toward improvement. Although there was a temporary worsening of symptoms when the patient returned to work, improvement was achieved through 20 treatment sessions.
Acupressure points used
Summary
This case involves a patient whose tinnitus was triggered by working in a noisy environment. The treatment approach focused primarily on relaxing the trapezius muscle. Although there were fluctuations in the nature and intensity of the tinnitus, improvement was achieved with continued treatment. As a link to the work environment is suggested, improving the work environment and managing stress are considered important for preventing future recurrence. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of a traditional East Asian medicine approach to tinnitus and also provides insights into the relationship between symptoms and occupational stress.
