Chronic tinnitus/fullness

[Jordan]

Hi guys I'm new to this site and want to talk to people that deal with tinnitus and constant fullness

 

[Hudson]

You're in the right place.

 

[Karen]

Jordan,
How long have you had the fullness feeling? Some of us who've had tinnitus for a long time have found that the fullness feeling goes away, or gets a lot better, in time. Since you've only had tinnitus for about 3 months, you may find that the feeling will subside after awhile.

 

[kat5]

Hi! I'm new here too. I was taking ciprodex for a middle ear infection. A few days after taking it, I developed tinnitus. I've always had slight ringing in my ears, but nothing like this. It's loud enough to hear, even when it's noisy in the room and now, ambient noises, actually make it harder to hear out of that ear, and make the "full" feeling even more intense. If I listen to a dial tone in the affected ear, it sounds "tin-like" instead of hearing normal "rounded out" dial tone. My question is, once you have it, is your ear damaged? Can it ever go back to "normal"? Thank you for any advice.

 

[jazz]

My question is, once you have it, is your ear damaged? Can it ever go back to "normal"? Thank you for any advice.

Hi kat5,

Yes, it can. Most tinnitus will resolve itself in three to six months. Some studies cite up to a year tinnitus will resolve itself. After six months, however, your chances diminish. But there are always exceptions. Some people report having tinnitus for several years and it suddenly resolving--though in the last instance the person probably became habituated to their tinnitus.

If your are within the three month window, however, you need to see a physician, preferably and ENT or neurootologist (an ENT who specializes in the ear.) Make sure you have no damage they can see. (The doctor might order an MRI, but this is probably unnecessary for a drug reaction.) Often, when the ear is injured--for whatever reason--there's also inflammation. Getting rid of that inflammation--through steroids, for example--may help the ear heal. Some people also have good results with oxygen treatment (HBOT). Look around on the board for treatments that people recommend. And see your doctor, but have a game plan. Most physicians say you can't do anything for tinnitus. But I believe chronic tinnitus can be prevented in many cases. You just need to heal your ear in the early stages, i.e., within the first few months of damage. That's when success is easiest and greatest.

You should also utilize background sounds to help you tune out the tinnitus and possibly help your ear heal. People who first get tinnitus should buy a noise machine or use a fan--anything that's neutral--and keep their environment full of neutral sounds. This will give you ear something to hear besides the tinnitus. And most people find background sounds restful. You should also sleep with background sounds. Just look on the board for how others utilize background noises, like nature sounds.

 

[kat5]

Hi!

Thank you for your response! I was very inspired by what you wrote, and made an appt to see an ENT. The Dr believes that I contracted a virus that attacked my inner ear, creating hearing loss and the tinnitus. I asked about the Ciprodex and he did not think it was related. He did a hearing test and I have significant hearing loss with lower tones. He believes it is nerve damage and put me on heavy steroids for 12 days to see if it will help reduce any swelling or pressure and see if there is any change. I'm on day 7 and still no change. He advises me after this round of treatment to see a specialist that deals specifically with the nerve in the ear. It all changed so suddenly. How grateful it's made me for what I do have left and for all those who suffer. Many blessings to all of you.

 

[Sven]

Jordan,
How long have you had the fullness feeling? Some of us who've had tinnitus for a long time have found that the fullness feeling goes away, or gets a lot better, in time. Since you've only had tinnitus for about 3 months, you may find that the feeling will subside after awhile.

Fullness, is that the word for the pressure you feel inside your ear? What we in Swedish call "a lid on the ear", directly translated.

 

[Karen]

Yes, it feels like pressure in the ear. Mine has pretty much gone away, since I have been a severe tinnitus sufferer for over 3 years now. It is difficult to live with both the pressure (fullness) and the ringing. But I would say that, for most people, it subsides in time.