- May 5, 2017
- 3
- Tinnitus Since
- 18th April 2017
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Head Trauma/Infection
Greetings to all of you.
I've had Tinnitus for approximately 2/3 weeks now. It started with a fullness feeling in my right ear, and then progressed to a high-pitched ringing sound. I assumed it was due to wax being compacted against my eardrum - I've had similar issues previously - but never associated T. I'm also a keen swimmer, so ear hygiene is a constant battle. I visited a doctor and he confirmed it was a small piece of wax, which came as a bit of a relief (I know it can cause T in some cases). He recommended olive oil or wax removal drops, and I purchased Otex drops (olive oil didn't work for me on a previous occasion).
After a day of using them, my ear became inflamed, so I spoke with another doctor who said the wax had possibly expanded and to use sodium bicarbonate drops instead. Another day, and things went from bad to worse - my ear closed up and started to discharge. I became very concerned with the pain and my tinnitus was sounding like a jet engine. A quick visit to a private audiologist confirmed an infection (I couldn't wait for a ENT referral).
A final visit to yet another doctor got me a prescription of antibiotics and an ear spray. Three days later my left ear also became inflamed and blocked, and I was left with no hearing over a weekend - a very humbling experience to say the least. Add to that, roaring T in both ears, and my head was ready to explode. Strangely the T in my right ear combined with the left to now manifest centrally. And it was bloody loud. If I extended my jaw, the T would go louder.
Two days later, when things had settled a little, I revisited the private audiologist who micro suctioned all the discharge from both ears, and I could hear again. What a relief. He had some problems with detritus stuck to my ear drums, and had to syringe them (he was worried about getting too close with the micro suction).
The T went from a 10 to a 4, and that's where it's been sitting for the past week. I've just completed the antibiotics course, but still using the spray. Fingers crossed this T settles down over the next weeks.
As a side note: I had a fall from a ladder approx. 1 month ago, and landed in a seated position, whip-lashing my neck backwards as a result. Considerable pain and stiffness followed with almost a week of Ibuprofen (4x200mg per day). Tinnitus wasn't present, or at least noticeable.
I was wondering if the infection might have unmasked it 2 weeks later somehow(?)
Anyway, time will tell I suppose
I've had Tinnitus for approximately 2/3 weeks now. It started with a fullness feeling in my right ear, and then progressed to a high-pitched ringing sound. I assumed it was due to wax being compacted against my eardrum - I've had similar issues previously - but never associated T. I'm also a keen swimmer, so ear hygiene is a constant battle. I visited a doctor and he confirmed it was a small piece of wax, which came as a bit of a relief (I know it can cause T in some cases). He recommended olive oil or wax removal drops, and I purchased Otex drops (olive oil didn't work for me on a previous occasion).
After a day of using them, my ear became inflamed, so I spoke with another doctor who said the wax had possibly expanded and to use sodium bicarbonate drops instead. Another day, and things went from bad to worse - my ear closed up and started to discharge. I became very concerned with the pain and my tinnitus was sounding like a jet engine. A quick visit to a private audiologist confirmed an infection (I couldn't wait for a ENT referral).
A final visit to yet another doctor got me a prescription of antibiotics and an ear spray. Three days later my left ear also became inflamed and blocked, and I was left with no hearing over a weekend - a very humbling experience to say the least. Add to that, roaring T in both ears, and my head was ready to explode. Strangely the T in my right ear combined with the left to now manifest centrally. And it was bloody loud. If I extended my jaw, the T would go louder.
Two days later, when things had settled a little, I revisited the private audiologist who micro suctioned all the discharge from both ears, and I could hear again. What a relief. He had some problems with detritus stuck to my ear drums, and had to syringe them (he was worried about getting too close with the micro suction).
The T went from a 10 to a 4, and that's where it's been sitting for the past week. I've just completed the antibiotics course, but still using the spray. Fingers crossed this T settles down over the next weeks.
As a side note: I had a fall from a ladder approx. 1 month ago, and landed in a seated position, whip-lashing my neck backwards as a result. Considerable pain and stiffness followed with almost a week of Ibuprofen (4x200mg per day). Tinnitus wasn't present, or at least noticeable.
I was wondering if the infection might have unmasked it 2 weeks later somehow(?)
Anyway, time will tell I suppose
