Can an Ear Infection Cause Hyperacusis?

[Shelbylynn]

I noticed third day into my ear infection that sounds that normally didn't bother me seem so LOUD. Toilet flushing. Doors closing. I believe this may be hyperacusis. I didn't have this before. Does this go away or am I stuck with this?

I'm hoping it'll go with the infection.

 

[Sevv]

This is what I refer to as loudness H (there's also pain H and it's milder variants). I had that for one week, where it changed to pain H for loud and/or high frequency sounds (diminished over months). Also had some leftover loudness H on very high frequencies.

So in my case the loudness H went away after about 1-2 weeks, but it started together with my T, so it was clearly noise induced. But is it so much of a difference whether it was noise oder infection induced? I don't believe so. So I would wager that it goes away, though I can't say whether it leaves fast or slow as in most other cases. It certainly should have a higher possibility than noise induced H to fade more quickly. As far as I know, H goes away more reliably than T, but takes a lot longer on average (6 months+).

 

[Juan]

I noticed third day into my ear infection that sounds that normally didn't bother me seem so LOUD. Toilet flushing. Doors closing. I believe this may be hyperacusis. I didn't have this before. Does this go away or am I stuck with this?

I'm hoping it'll go with the infection.

It sounds more like some sort of occlusion effect, like when one has a cold.

 

[Zugzug]

I noticed third day into my ear infection that sounds that normally didn't bother me seem so LOUD. Toilet flushing. Doors closing. I believe this may be hyperacusis. I didn't have this before. Does this go away or am I stuck with this?

I'm hoping it'll go with the infection.

Does it also cause extreme emotional distress? By this, I don't mean like because you are worried about it or whatever, but like sounds literally make you super angry/upset/agitated? If it's just volume, I agree with Juan that it may be some temporary occlusion effect that will hopefully fade.

 

[Shelbylynn]

It sounds more like some sort of occlusion effect, like when one has a cold.

It could be. I think this could also be why my tinnitus has spiked so loudly in my infected ear. When I put my hand over my ear usually I can hear an increase in tinnitus volume but if I do this to my infected ear it makes no difference. It's still loud. Kinda like wearing an ear plug but at all times. I'm hoping that once the fluid drains out that my tinnitus volume will shift down a bit. It's so loud I feel like I have t in one ear when I have it in both.

 

[Elinor]

Yes it can.

I went swimming one day during summer 2011 and the next day I swore my T was worse and it seemed to get louder throughout the day. I somehow managed to get an appointment at my doctors office the same day, he looked into my ear and immediately saw that I had an infection. I was put on antibiotics and the T went down to its normal level, however this triggered my H. I'm not sure if the infection alone caused it or the fact that the temporary spike scared me so I began semi-isolating myself.

After a prolonged period of isolation I was eventually admitted to a clinic that provided T-maskers. They look like hearing aids but generate sounds instead. I had to wear these not to cover up my T, but to retrain my hearing and make me less sensitive to sounds. This worked really well.

The best thing you can do right now is to not isolate yourself, even if the sounds bother you. Have some background noise on such as music, a TV or white noise.

 

[Shelbylynn]

Does it also cause extreme emotional distress? By this, I don't mean like because you are worried about it or whatever, but like sounds literally make you super angry/upset/agitated? If it's just volume, I agree with Juan that it may be some temporary occlusion effect that will hopefully fade.

Not really. I'm already kind of hyper vigilant and freaked out by noises now that I have tinnitus because I always fear that it worsen. But I wouldn't say I get super upset agitated. Most likely occlusion like you guys mentioned since I have fluid in there. When I chew I can hear the tinnitus tone change in my left ear, pressure change. It's like wearing an ear plug.

 

[Shelbylynn]

Yes it can.

I went swimming one day during summer 2011 and the next day I swore my T was worse and it seemed to get louder throughout the day. I somehow managed to get an appointment at my doctors office the same day, he looked into my ear and immediately saw that I had an infection. I was put on antibiotics and the T went down to its normal level, however this triggered my H. I'm not sure if the infection alone caused it or the fact that the temporary spike scared me so I began semi-isolating myself.

After a prolonged period of isolation I was eventually admitted to a clinic that provided T-maskers. They look like hearing aids but generate sounds instead. I had to wear these not to cover up my T, but to retrain my hearing and make me less sensitive to sounds. This worked really well.

The best thing you can do right now is to not isolate yourself, even if the sounds bother you. Have some background noise on such as music, a TV or white noise.

Thank you for the advice. The worst thing about this ear infection is that it's aggravated the tinnitus to a crazy level

I'm just hoping that it will go back to it's mild-moderate sound. I almost feel like I have no tinnitus in my right ear anymore. Seems like I only have tinnitus in my left ear. It's really strange!

I'm on my fourth day of antibiotics. I went back to doctor and said still infected but better than before and to finish my antibiotics out.

 

[Elinor]

Thank you for the advice. The worst thing about this ear infection is that it's aggravated the tinnitus to a crazy level

I'm just hoping that it will go back to it's mild-moderate sound. I almost feel like I have no tinnitus in my right ear anymore. Seems like I only have tinnitus in my left ear. It's really strange!

I'm on my fourth day of antibiotics. I went back to doctor and said still infected but better than before and to finish my antibiotics out.

I feel for you. It's not unreasonable to think that your tinnitus will return to its normal level once the infection is gone.

What type of antibiotic are you on?

 

[Shelbylynn]

I feel for you. It's not unreasonable to think that your tinnitus will return to its normal level once the infection is gone.

What type of antibiotic are you on?

I'm on augmentin right now (amoxicillin-clav 875-125mg) for ten days. Currently on day five. This infection is kicking my butt! I still have an infection in my left ear (though it's gotten a little better) and last night my right ear wanted to join the party. I took anti-inflammatories and it seemed to help. I am going to GP in two hours to see how it's doing and see what she says. I am scared to be switched to stronger meds but at the same time I fear I won't get better either and I certainly don't want my right ear to get infected too. I also have pink eye in both eyes which is no fun. A very infected mess here.

 

[Aaaron8]

I'm on augmentin right now (amoxicillin-clav 875-125mg) for ten days. Currently on day five. This infection is kicking my butt! I still have an infection in my left ear (though it's gotten a little better) and last night my right ear wanted to join the party. I took anti-inflammatories and it seemed to help. I am going to GP in two hours to see how it's doing and see what she says. I am scared to be switched to stronger meds but at the same time I fear I won't get better either and I certainly don't want my right ear to get infected too. I also have pink eye in both eyes which is no fun. A very infected mess here.

Hi just wondering how you got on with the doctor regarding your ear infection? Did the antibiotics clear it up?

A