MEM Tinnitus stands for middle ear myoclonus Tinnitus. This is usually caused by eardrum spasms. Just like with any muscle spasms, the eardrum goes into spasm because tiny muscle groups present in the ear spasm, causing the eardrum to vibrate. The ear has two sets of muscle groups. Both muscle groups present a different type of Tinnitus. It can result in either a thumping or clicking sound or a sound that more closely resembles a buzzing or radio crackle sort of sound. Here’s an excellent health site that talks about MEM Tinnitus caused by ear spasms.
The first and preferred form of MEM Tinnitus or ringing in the ears caused by eardrum spasms is medication. Anticonvulsants or antispasmodic drugs can cause the ear muscles to relax and come out of spasm. MEM Tinnitus will resolve as a result. However, in some cases, MEM may not respond to medication. In such cases, surgery might be an option.
A surgeon will cut the nerves to the ear muscles, causing the ear drums to come out of spasms. This is a permanent procedure that will result in permanent relief. But, the procedure presents a small risk of other facial nerves being cut. It is recommended that people first try medication and only consider surgery a last resort.
Another non-surgical intervention is the use of zygomatic hand pressure. In this procedure, one uses their palms to apply pressure on the outside end of their cheeks, in the area in front of the ears. For some reason, this causes the ear muscles to relax and come out of spasm. This however only provides temporary relief. With medication however, MEM Tinnitus can go away completely. You will experience these signs that Tinnitus is going away, when and if the medication works to resolve your condition.
MEM Tinnitus is a rather difficult condition to diagnose. This is because its symptoms are very similar to that of Typewriter Tinnitus. This is another condition that responds very well to medication, usually resolving in just weeks. Only an ENT doctor will be able to tell you for sure if you are suffering from MEM Tinnitus or Typewriter Tinnitus.
Research has also shown that the intensity of MEM Tinnitus increases when the patient suffers from increased stress and anxiety. Deep breathing, meditation and being mindful of stress and anxiety levels can all help greatly reduce the intensity of ringing caused by ringing in the ears.
If you think you have MEM Tinnitus, please don’t self-medicate. You must know that a lot of drugs are ototoxic in nature. In other words, antispasmodic or anticonvulsant or muscle relaxant drugs might relax your ear muscles, but cause other damage that can result in damage to your ears. The word ototoxic translates to harmful to the ears. Only a doctor will be able to carefully use his or her diagnosis to come up with a medication and dosage that will best work for you.
