Perhaps Too Early to Be This Worried, but...

[magicant]

I'm already experiencing quite the amount of anxiety over this to say the least. Forgive me if this all comes out rather incoherent; my state of mind even right now is one that makes focusing on something like this difficult. About three weeks ago, I had an acute outer ear infection/otitis externa. I made an appointment with my PCP as soon as possible and was given ear drops consisting of vinegar and a minimal amount of triamcinolonacetonide (a corticosteroid). These took care of the itching and the pain rather quickly. At this time, there was no ringing in my ears or anything like that, and I wasn't really worried about it much at all. That was, until the final day of applying them. In retrospect, it seems unlikely that this was the cause, but after applying the ear drops as usual, I started noticing a ringing in my ears. At least, that was the impression that I had at that time when I read and fret over that the drops can cause ototoxcitiy should the eardrum be perforated in some way. Of course, had my eardrums been in that state, I wouldn't have been prescribed them in the first place, and two days ago, I had my ears removed of wax and looked at by an ENT specialist. I was told then that my ears seemed relatively "calm" in reference to the infection and that my eardrums looked fine, too.

Since that final day, however, I've had a constant ringing in my ears. So, it's been about a week. I was reassured that this is more than likely simply a remaining effect of the infection and that it'll subside with time rather than turn out as chronic. Of course, the ENT specialist didn't completely exclude the possibility that it would stay. As aforementioned, this could all be me worrying far too soon. I'm not one to deal all too well with something like this, which is one of the reasons why I'm resorting to... well, what I'm doing right now. I can't say that I'm expecting nor demanding anyone here to be able to provide me with any conclusive answers or anything of the sort. I guess, for the sake of those experiencing similar and as a result of an outer ear infection, I'll make sure to mention how it goes.

Side note:
A more recent development, but I've also been feeling a sort of pressure on particularly my left ear. Whenever I swallow or speak, I can hear a crackle of some sort (also particularly my left ear). I'm thinking this could be because of blockage, so I'm considering making an appointment for this...

 

[glynis]

@magicant ,
Welcome to Tinnitus Talk.

After an ear infection has cleared up tinnitus can remain longer .
You can try steam inhalation and also sudafed to clear any mucus still in your tubes.

Keep relaxing music on around you and through the night if have trouble sleeping.
Keep posting for support and make some friends along the way whom understand what your going through.

love glynis

 

[Bill Bauer]

If it doesn't go away, it is still likely that it will fade. So the sound that you have been tormented with is likely not going to be the sound that you will end up with stuck with (that sound will likely going to be not as intense and easier to ignore). This fading can take 3-24 months...

 

[magicant]

Thank you for the welcome and advice. Admittedly, I haven't been doing all too well. I'm still terrified that this is going to be chronic. Sometimes, I do feel like it may be gradually fading, but since I don't want to get my hopes up, I can't say for sure that this is the case. I did, however, feel my left ear (the one I where feel the pressure/fullness) pop very briefly today as I sniffed, which hasn't happened in a while.

 

[Contrast]

usually (if not always) if the original damage is corrected such as hearing being restored the tinnitus should go away or fade significantly within the course of weeks to several months.

 

[Contrast]

There was one case where a dude that said ear wax caused permanent tinnitus, I looked into it and asked him, he told me he had mild low frequency hearing loss. Ear wax was the trigger but the tinnitus became chronic because of SNHL having irreversible damage, not the ear wax alone.

Same with a girl who got an ear infection swimming and put all the blame on ear wax until I asked her the full story.

I am not convinced a temporarily fully correctable condition is going to cause permanent tinnitus, however an infection could cause a permanent degree of hearing loss (even if very mild) which could mean permanent tinnitus unfortunately.

 

[magicant]

I see, I see. I guess I'll have to deal with the consequences as they come then. Frankly, I can't imagine it'll be remotely easy for me. Although I'm certain the noise isn't nearly as bad as some here have it, it's still something that I can't help but obsess over. Hopefully, that'll change should it not go away.

 

[dpdx]

I see, I see. I guess I'll have to deal with the consequences as they come then. Frankly, I can't imagine it'll be remotely easy for me. Although I'm certain the noise isn't nearly as bad as some here have it, it's still something that I can't help but obsess over. Hopefully, that'll change should it not go away.

Stay strong.