Hello,
my name is María José, a few years ago I suffered from hyperacusis and tinnitus, and today I can say that I have overcome hyperacusis and my tinnitus has improved significantly.
How?
I’ll tell you here:
For years, I struggled with a series of symptoms: tinnitus, hyperacusis, pressure in the head, pain at the base of the skull, and an endless list of discomforts that significantly affected my quality of life. Each medical visit only increased the confusion; no one seemed to completely understand what was happening to me.
Finally, after a long journey of consultations and medical tests, I was diagnosed with Eagle Syndrome.
What is Eagle Syndrome?
Eagle Syndrome is defined as the elongation of the styloid process and calcification of the stylohyoid ligament that compresses and negatively affects structures such as the cranial nerves, the jugular vein, and the carotid artery, causing symptoms such as tinnitus, hyperacusis, facial pain, and other neurological and auditory discomforts.
This doctor explains it to you in this video:
What medical tests are needed to diagnose it?
Very easy: To precisely diagnose Eagle Syndrome, it is essential to perform a CT angiogram of the neck and skull with contrast and good 3D reproduction.
CT with contrast or without contrast?
Well, as I said before, with contrast.
You can do it without contrast at the dentist, just for an initial approximation.
But if you really want to have a precise result for a correct diagnosis, I repeat again, with contrast.
Why with contrast?
Because with contrast you can see which neurovascular structure is being compressed, and you can have a precise diagnosis.
Here I leave you images of my CT angiogram and the styloids
And after the CT, what?
Well, you go to a specialized professional, which is a difficult task because it is very unknown and there are very few specialists who truly understand the matter. For me, finding one was an odyssey.
And after finding one, what do you do?
Well, very easy. You undergo surgery to remove the styloid process. In my case, in 2023, I had the right one removed, and 6 months later, the left one. The second surgery was in Poland, with a surgeon specialized in the topic, who, as I have said, is difficult to find.
Here are my images of the already removed styloids
How long does it take to recover from hyperacusis after surgery?
Well, you start to notice improvement from the first year after surgery. So be patient.
What possible symptoms can you have if you have Eagle Syndrome?
Well… Do you have hyperacusis and also usually have pain in the tonsil area, migraines, dizziness, and vision changes when you bend down and get up quickly?
Then go get a CT with contrast to rule out that this is the cause.
Here I leave images of common painful points in Eagle Syndrome:
You can find more information in the Facebook group about Eagle Syndrome that I created by clicking here
I hope I have helped you with my case.
Best regards,
María José