For six months, he linked the sound in his ear to stress! The truth turned out to be very different.

The 28‑year‑old PhD student and program manager Nitika Singh, who lives in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, sought a diagnosis for about six months after a tinnitus began in her right ear. After consulting numerous doctors and undergoing MRI and hearing tests, Singh could not shake her complaints even though initial assessments said there was no serious problem.

Speaking to Newsweek, Singh said the process had turned her life upside down both physically and psychologically.

Initially Mild, the Sound Gradually Intensified

Singh’s complaints began in April when, while drinking tea on her balcony, she heard an unusual sound in her right ear. The tinnitus, which first appeared intermittently, became constant within a few days.

Initially, when Singh consulted an ENT specialist, she was diagnosed with sinus problems. She was prescribed antihistamines and nasal sprays. However, Singh said the treatment made her feel drowsy for days, and she noted that the sound in her ears had not stopped.

Later, another doctor suggested that her complaints might be pulsatile tinnitus, characterized by sounds synchronized with her pulse.

MR Results Came Back Clear, but Complaints Persisted

Despite numerous doctor visits, MRI scans, hearing tests, and other evaluations, Singh failed to receive a definitive answer for a long time. The fact that the tests came back normal only heightened the uncertainty he was experiencing.

Singh noted that the tinnitus worsened alongside stress, anxiety, and physical fatigue, and over time he began to suffer headaches and vision problems. His complaints made it difficult for him to focus on his research and the remote work he was doing.

Singh said that those around him tried to explain what they were experiencing as burnout, poor nutrition, or work stress. Even during conversations, he reported that the tinnitus drowned out other sounds and left him feeling alone.

The Doctor's Touch to the Neck Suddenly Cut Off the Sound

Seeking answers to his complaints, Singh conducted research using artificial‑intelligence tools and medical literature. As a result, he consulted a neurologist specialized in ear‑related neurological and vascular issues.

The specialist, after reviewing Singh's medical history, lightly pressed the jugular vein area in his neck. According to Singh, the sound in his ear suddenly disappeared at that moment.

This finding strengthened the suspicion that the problem might not be limited to the ear and could be related to blood circulation. Consequently, advanced imaging such as magnetic resonance venography (MRV), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and high‑resolution computed tomography were requested.

Diagnosis: Increased Pressure Around the Brain

In the examinations, signs of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) associated with elevated pressure around the brain were detected. According to Singh, the increased pressure affected structures near the optic nerves and blood vessels, producing a pulsatile sound.

The diagnosis was later confirmed by a neurologist, and treatment with acetazolamide was started to lower intracranial pressure.

Singh said that a few days after treatment began, the tinnitus in his ears had noticeably decreased.

Don't Dismiss Your Symptoms

Singh, undergoing treatment, urges people with similar complaints who share their experiences not to ignore their symptoms.

Singh advised patients to keep their medical records with them, consult different specialists when necessary, and continue researching until they reach a health professional who will carefully evaluate their complaints.

A key point for experts is that pulse-synchronous ear noises should not always be dismissed as ordinary tinnitus. Especially if accompanied by headache or vision changes, medical evaluation should not be delayed. Singh's experiences highlight that determining the cause of certain symptoms may take time and that re-evaluating ongoing complaints is crucial.