Valsava Maneuver and Tinnitus

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

I’ve noticed near the end of my work out I start to hear ringing in my right ear, akin to what I think may be tinnitus. I at first thought it was my headphones, even though I keep the volume below 60%. Today I lifted without headphones and still had the ringing occur.

Is it possible that holding my breath for the valsalva maneuver during lifts is causing damage to my ears?

2

Inner ear barotrauma is indeed possible, but this is quite hard to prove. So it’s hard to say, given that tinnitus is fairly common in general.