Can Tinnitus Go Away If It's Due to an Ear Infection?

[EarInfection]

Hi, I am new here and so is the noise in my ears. I'm 20 years old female and I had a really bad cold for about 2 weeks now.

It's mainly gone now but what I'm left with are ear problems. The last days, I had a sore throat and just when I thought the cold was gone, my right ear started to hurt like knife stabbings and the ear feels heavy and "full". This is since 3 days.

I think I have an ear infection and as soon as the pain started, my ear started to make ringing and wind-like rushing noises that seem to be in line with my pulse or at least for some reason sound like it, almost without break. It's like I can actively hear the noises in my ear , like my bloodflow. It keeps me awake at night and makes me insane.

It's been three days now and I'm really desperate because when I read about ear noises on the Internet, it doesn't seem like it really goes away. A few weeks or months would be ok because the time will pass anyway. But forever seems like hell.

I will go to an ENT doctor soon but for now I just wanted to ask, does anyone know if chances of recovery from that noise are generally good if it is due to an ear infection? Is this unbearable noise common with ear infection and does it usually resolve once the ear infection is gone (or a few weeks later...)? Any experiences?
I just can't imagine that an ear infection has the potential to ruin my life forever, I cannot have a good life like this.


(I'm sorry if my English sucks... it's not my first language but I just kind of chose an English forum)

Thank you

 

[KeyLime]

Hi there! I also had an upper respitory infection that led to fluid getting backed up in my ears and starting a few tinnitus noises (high pitched whistle, low pitched hum). The doctor I saw explained that when your ears are full with fluid it can affect how your brain interprets things, causing tinnitus. He didn't seem too concerned, and was pretty sure it would go away. I think I remember reading online somewhere that 90% of tinnitus that accompanies a cold eventually goes away. I'd give it a little more time. The worst of my middle ear problems lasted about a week. Keep us updated!

Unfortunately mine has stuck around for a while (going on 4 weeks), but I think that has more to do with the fact that I may be dealing with Eustachian tube dysfunction or some sort of inner ear trouble and the infection I had just started it off. I'm seeing an ENT next week to try to figure it out.

 

[zmogedra]

This is not a joke. If it's an inner ear infection you should go to ENT as fast as you can, because everybody says first week is very important. You should ask for non-ototoxic antibiotics and/or something to kill the virus and ask for any other treatments like oxygen chambers. Also you can buy ginkgo bilbao supplements like "tanakan" or "gingium" they might help supporting blood flow for those fighting hearing nerves.
And from my experience, I would not wait a second and would go to a good private hospital to see a doctor.

P.S. it is not advisable to smoke, drink coffee or use painkillers while having an infection.

Unfortunately because of the poor treatment I got from my local ENT I am stuck with tinnitus (it's been 11 months). But I believe if you counter act the infection early you have 100% chance to treat the ringing in the ear.

Best of Luck

 

[Amber]

You should ask for non-ototoxic antibiotics and/or something to kill the virus

Antibiotics don't work for viruses. They only work for bacteria.

 

[zmogedra]

Yes, and it's hard to distinguish if infection is viral or bacterial. So I would go for a combo.

 

[EarInfection]

I live in Canada right now since a month but I never went to the doctor here...can I just go to an ENT doctor in Canada or do I need a referral from a general doctor?

 

[KeyLime]

@EarInfection When my ears were full, I just went to Urgent Care...do you have something similar? I could be seen right away, and the doctor confirmed that there was no infection by looking in my ears. Most urgent care does see a lot of ear infections and possible infections. The dr didn't prescribe me antibiotics, but he was able to recommend some over the counter products to get relief. Maybe if you go to an urgent care type place, the dr there can also give you advice on how to be seen by an ENT if you need follow up.

 

[EarInfection]

I study abroad in Canada right now so I could tomorrow go to the University's Health Service and ask the doctor there if he/she can give me a refferral. But it's scary because it could take valuable time away. Where I'm from, you can just call the ENT doctor and come, so I'm confused . In North America apparently not?

Also today the pain isn't as stabbing anymore and the noise changed from this weird "pulse" rushing sound to a less annoying electric buzzing sound. Most of you know way more about tinnitus than I do, so I wonder if this change is a good sign (because change = something happens in the ear/ progress)?

 

[KeyLime]

It's good that the pain is subsiding! Probably the infection (bacterial or viral) starting to clear up.

I would definitely start with the University clinic. The dr there should be able to give you some advice and guidance, not only about your ear but also about the health care system. Here (at least in the US), some insurance companies allow you to go directly to an ENT (or other specialist), but a lot of specialists prefer that you see a primary care doctor first just so that they don't get overrun with patients who could be treated by a primary care doctor and they can save their time for patients who truly need specialist care.

With my cold, I had slightly pulsing tinnitus that gave way to a steady hum...and then switched back. It still switches around...I think there's still a little congestion in there.

 

[zmogedra]

In your case, I would go to the nearest hospital or health service. Just don't wait and go get some help or you may regret this for your whole life.

 

[Ludvik]

I'd avoid loud places and protect your hearing for the next few months. My tinnitus started off with an ear infection, it wasn't too bad back then and I was noticing improvements by the first week.. But several loud noise exposures in the first couple weeks really amped my tinnitus up to severe levels. It's been nearly 2 months for me now, and no signs of it settling down.

 

[Deandush]

I would say go see an ENT but 9 times out of 10 I don't even think they know what ears are

 

[Sam5560]

@EarInfection,I got ear infection 4 days ago and started to have sounds in my right ear from past 2 days. please let me know if your tinnitus subsided once the ear infection is cured.

 

[Aelk5579]

@Sam5560 don't worry about it.. it will go away soon. Give it a week and you won't notice anymore

 

[Sam5560]

@Aelk5579, thank you for the response. I am really scared if it is going to be permanent. I am on z pak and today is my 4th day with ear infection and 3rd with sound. Can I know the antibiotics you were on for this issue please. I planning to go to ENT next week if possible. This noise is very scary and the posts on internet are always negative about tinnitus. Can I know how long did it take for you to recover from this ringing problem.

 

[Tweaker]

I know someone who had tinnitus from an ear infection and the tinnitus went away shortly afterwards..

 

[Aelk5579]

@Sam5560 it takes about a week depending on how bad the infection is. I was horrified when it first happened and this was made even worse when i started reading these forums as a lot of posts are negative
Post to us next week and let us know how your going. I was on amoxicillin for 5 days and it worked good

I still have minor tiniitus which I can hear only in the morning when i wake up but I had this before the infection so yours should disappear completely

 

[Sam5560]

@Aelk5579, thank you for the reply. Hopefully it will subside. I am very nervous right now.

 

[Sam5560]

Hi everyone, I am on 3rd day with sound in my ears. I am unable to sleep and feel like crying. What should I do? Please help

 

[Sam5560]

@Aelk5579 how long would it take to get used to tinnuitus. I am really worried and unable to do anything

 

[stefanburt]

@Sam5560 what happened since you had an infection interested to know?