Advice or Treatment for Early Tinnitus?

[Brentos]

Hi everyone,

3 weeks ago I developed a loss of pressure in my right ear and then a couple of days later T emerged.

It's a very high pitched noise, some days it's there in the background (not so noticeable) and other days it can be as loud as my regular hearing. It seems mostly prominent in my right ear, but can't say for sure.

I don't think I've suffered any hearing loss.

I'm 28 years old, from Australia, and I've been super anxious and down about this, and I'm hoping I can get some guidance from this amazing community.

I visited my doctor (GP) a few days after the onset and she looked in both ears and said the left ear membrane (?) was clear, but the right ear was a bit cloudy.

She prescribed me with a 6-day course of antibiotics (amoxycillin) and Nasonex nasal spray as she was treating it like an ear infection.

I've since taken my antibiotics and am still using the nasal spray (I had a break from it because it gave me nosebleeds, but I'm back on it now).

I'm booked in to see her again in 2 days and I'm assuming she will refer me onto an ENT specialist.

Theres also a chance this could be noise induced too either from listening to occasional loud music (headphones) or from a recent high pitched and very loud, faulty elevator at the local shopping mall.

Right now I'm not in the best mental health space as its really bringing on anxiety, especially reading that it may be something I'll have to live with for the rest of my life.

Apart from the Nasonex nasal spray, is there anything I can do to reduce or even diminish the T at this stage? Or any words of reassurance?

Thanks so much, I'm glad I found this community!

 

[glynis]

I have had progress taking nortriptaline at a low dose 50mg it's a antidepressant and can help tinnitus for some people .
Hope you are getting support mentally as will help you.
Mental health are great and MIND.

Lots of love glynis

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi Brentos,

Welcome to the site!

Hopefully, the regimen your doctor prescribed will be good enough to get rid of your problems. If not, a trip to your friendly neighborhood ENT is the next logical step of action. By all means, make sure he or she gives you a hearing test after your ears and sinuses are checked.

As for what to do right now, the best thing you can do for yourself is try to minimize your stress and anxiety. Believe me, I know exactly what you are going through right now.

 

[The Red Viper]

What exactly happened three weeks ago when you developed the pressure? I mean in the days preceding it. Anything unusual you did or ate or listened to, etc.?

 

[Brentos]

@The Red Viper nothing in particular, I had been listening to my headphones quite a bit leading up to it though?

 

[The Red Viper]

Did you go swimming? Play a rough sport? Infection? Coughing? Concert? Movie theater? Nothing? Every bit of information could lead to a clue. If it was just headphones then it could be hearing damage, but it would depend on how high the volume was.

 

[Brentos]

@The Red Viper I did go swimming in the ocean a few times prior and I had been listening to loud music via headphones and the car too which could've contributed. I also do some occasional DJing too so I definitely wouldn't rule out noise induced. (I love my music!)

Today the T seems better than it did yesterday.

Do you know if there's anything I can do now to alleviate the affliction? Anything I should discuss (eg. Steroids) with my doctor tomorrow?

Thanks so much for your interest, I appreciate it!!

 

[The Red Viper]

Steroids wouldn't hurt I suppose. The window for their efficacy may have already passed but I would definitely bring it up. You probably want to get a hearing test done as well. If they can test higher frequencies it would be better.

 

[Tyler Montgomery]

The more you read and freak yourself out the louder it's going to appear. Stress makes this stuff 10 times worse. Accept that you are helpless in this matter and don't spend any time monitoring your tinnitus or trying to fight it. It's probably going to just go away in a couple weeks, but not until you relive your anxiety about it.

 

[Scottrock]

Hi Brentos,
A fellow Aussie here mate, although I live as an expat here in Qatar. I'm 4 weeks in and have gone through the antibiotics, nasal/throats sprays and ear drops process. My anxiety levels were through the roof in the first couple of weeks when nothing improved. The good folk on this site are correct in saying that once you can relax (easier said than done of course - I still have my moments) you have better days.
I went to see another doctor who has prescribed prednisone - I have read that some people have success with it, depending on a range of variables which you have I'm sure you have read about already. First day on that and I reckon I'm worse, and have gone back to where I was 4 weeks ago. But I thought I'd give it a go and will see how I pull up tomorrow- so be wary of that if that's suggested. I let you know how I am later in the week if you like.
Do get yourself to an ENT asap - I know that that can take a while back home - and get yourself tested so you know where your really at. Then you can weigh up options.
Have a look and listen to some of the tinnitus apps available in the meantime to help cope with the evenings and in terms of getting some sleep which, if your like me, isn't coming easy!
I'm considering Tinnitus Retraining Therapy which is not accessible here but I can get in London. See how ya go with the ENT and see what they recommend. I've found the ones here fairly flippant about Tinnitus.
Again try and stay as calm as possible- some melatonin for sleep, and look after those ears buddy.
Most of the people on this site have been where your at now. It does get easier and who knows, it may go away. I dearly hope so.
Cheers, Brett

 

[I who love music]

Turn the music down, and do this..
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/back-to-silence.7172/

 

[Brentos]

Hey everyone,

I want to say 'thank you' to each and every one of you for showing your support. It means a lot to me.

I have an update. I saw my doctor (GP) and she's quite certain that I have an infection in my right ear as opposed to noise induced which I find quite surprising, as there's no pain or dizziness. I told her I was quite anxious and she got on the phone and booked an urgent appointment to see an ENT on the 12th. In the meantime, the ENT told her over the phone to boost up the antibiotics and combine them with prednisone (2 x 25mg pills for the first 3 days and 1 x 25mg pill for 2 days).

I'm on day 2 of the prednisone and today's probably been the best day so far, I've found myself not noticing the T at times which has been a wonderful feeling (I could focus on my day to day rather than obsessing over the noise).

It's still early days but I'm trying to stay positive.

Thank you all again for your advice and positivity. You're all amazing.

 

[Scottrock]

Hey Brentos,
Yep! On my 4th day of prednisone. First day was rough, second and third days significantly reduction in volume, today had a spike but am handling it much better than a week ago. I too am taking the positive approach and hoping.
I downloaded the Neuromonics app and run it on my bedside table all night at low volume and it's assisting sleep. I bought a Bluetooth earphone and kept it on faintly while at work today, and it took the edge off. You've probably read the debate on whether you should use headphones or not, but at low volume it certainly gave me relief when I had a spike today.
All the best with the ENT during the week mate. Take care.