Watts Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is when you experience ringing, buzzing, whooshing, pulsing, or humming sounds inside one or both ears. In my case, it includes both classic tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus (which is the rhythmic whooshing sound of blood pumping through vessels near my eardrum that syncs with my heartbeat).

I have had a high-pitched, constant ringing in my right ear, along with intermittent static-like buzzing on the same side, since I was a young child. My left ear occasionally joins in with high-pitched ringing, but it’s the pulsatile tinnitus on that side that’s more consistent — especially when I’m lying down, have a migraine attack, am reacting to medication, or have an MCAS flare..

💥 Watts Causing It?

There’s no single known cause of tinnitus, and in many cases, it’s linked to multiple overlapping factors. In my case, the following conditions are all likely contributors:

• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD) — due to the jaw’s proximity to the ear structures
• Cervical spine instability or tension — especially at the base of the skull
• Autonomic dysfunction (POTS) — affecting blood flow and pressure regulation
• CSF pressure changes — including past cerebrospinal fluid leaks
• Hypersensitivity of the auditory nerves
• Connective tissue fragility from EDS
• MCAS flares — which can trigger inflammation and nerve sensitivity
• Migraine — which can exacerbate tinnitus symptoms

Pulsatile tinnitus, in particular, is often linked to vascular and pressure-related changes — all of which I have experienced at various points. The exact mechanism isn’t always clear, but it’s likely a mix of structural, neurological, and vascular issues working together (and not in a good way).

🧩 Related Conditions

Tinnitus often overlaps with other neurological, structural, or vascular conditions. In my case, it’s closely linked with:

• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) leaks
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
• Migraine & Headaches
• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD)

You can read more about each of those via the diagnosis pages — or head over to my blog for a more candid take on what it’s like living with a brain that sometimes sounds like a haunted radio.

You can also visit the Helpful Links page for resources and organisations I’ve found useful along the way.

Disclaimer:
I’m not a doctor — just someone with a lot of medical letters on my file and a few too many hospital wristbands. Everything shared on this site comes from my personal experience living with complex chronic conditions. It’s not medical advice, and it shouldn’t replace professional guidance. Always speak to your healthcare team before making any treatment decisions (especially if it involves sparkles, spreadsheets, or ice cream therapy).