Scared

[Sarah123]

Hi guys. I'm really scared. I'm 23 yr old. Starting getting this ringing in my ear 3 days ago it's constantly there all day every day. I went to my doctor and my ears are blocked with wax could this be the problem? Im already dealing with other problem I struggle with and now this any advice thanks so much

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Sarah123
A build up of wax can cause tinnitus Sarah. Use olive oil eardrops to help loosen it for around 10 days .2x or 3x daily. Then you can get the ears irrigated or microsuctioned to remove the wax.
Do you listen to music through headphones or attend clubs or other places where loud music is played?
Michael

 

[Sarah123]

Hi Michael, thanks for your reply. I'm currently on a medication. I asked my doc whether the wax build up could be causing it or is it from the medication and she said she wasn't sure. No I don't listen to loud music either. I have started putting oil in today as instructed by my doc. It is so loud and 24/7 it scares me

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Sarah123
Tinnitus can be frightening in the early stages because the brain isn't used to the noise. Try to use what we call "sound enrichment". That is using preferably a sound machine - you might not have that. So, use relaxing music playing at low level in your room throughout the night until morning. Some people use a clicking clock or fan. You can also download nature sounds to your mobile phone and use that. Try not to use headphones though. Play the sound enrichment slightly lower than the tinnitus; try not to cover-up the tinnitus with the sound, in an attempt to block it out.

If your tinnitus is caused by the wax it will go once it is cleared. I recently wrote a post titled: Tinnitus, A Personal View. You might find it helpful, the link is below. Try not to worry too much.
If you need any more help there are plenty people here to ask, and if I'm here I will answer too.
Best of luck
Michael
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

[Sarah123]

Thank you so much! I just have to try and remember this isn't going to hurt me. I will also download some music to listen too. It's my right ear that's affected, also feels like a slight loss of hearing :/

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thank you so much! I just have to try and remember this isn't going to hurt me. I will also download some music to listen too. It's my right ear that's affected, also feels like a slight loss of hearing :/

A build up of wax can cause some loss of hearing. If possible have the music playing by your bedside and remember to keep it slightly lower than the tinnitus. It will take time to get used to but hopefully once the wax is cleared you will be alright.
Michael

 

[Sarah123]

The ear just feels heavy aswell if you get what I mean. Thanks again for your help and advice. I will for sure post again next week

 

[Michael Leigh]

The ear just feels heavy too of you get what I mean. Thanks again for your help and advice. I will for sure post again next week

No problem. Give it time and hopefully things will get back to normal.

 

[Sarah123]

One more thing... How long should it be until the ringing went away after having my ear syringed? If wax was the culprit? How come it affects one ear?

 

[Michael Leigh]

One more thing... How long should it be until the ringing went away after having my ear syringed? If wax was the culprit? How come it affects one ear?

Tinnitus affects everyone differently Sarah. If wax is the cause the tinnitus should soon go after it has been cleared. Sometimes just one ear is affected but not always. Please read the article in the link I sent you. There is a lot of information about tinnitus and what is the most common cause of it which is "loud noise/music"
Michael

 

[Sarah123]

Ok, thank you

 

[Jason C]

I used to have tinnitus from ear wax (I would have my ears syringed once a year due too wax) interestingly I only started having ear wax issues after contracting chicken pox when I was 21. Once my ears had been cleared the tinnitus would be gone and it was like having brand new ears.
I wish I could have that feeling again.

 

[Sarah123]

Hi guys. I've been putting my oil in as instructed and when I do the ringing is still there but I can hardly hear it. Any ideas?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Hi guys. I've been putting my oil in as instructed and when I do the ringing is still there but I can hardly hear it. Any ideas?

The oil is softening the wax Sarah and this looks like a good sign if the ringing is being muted because of this. Continue using the oil. I know it's not easy but try and take away your attention from focusing on the ringing. Do things that you would normally do if the ringing wasn't there....
Michael

 

[DefNFlaky]

Be patient, let your ears heal then it can go away.

 

[Sarah123]

Thanks guys! I'll report back

 

[Sarah123]

I've just read my medication leaflet and it says that tinnitus is a side effect now I don't know whether the wax is causing it or the medication :/

 

[Michael Leigh]

I've just read my medication leaflet and it says that tinnitus is a side effect now I don't know whether the wax is causing it or the medication :/

My blood pressure medicine also says can cause tinnitus Sarah but it hasn't made it any worse. Keep it in mind but try not to worry over it as you'll just make the tinnitus more intrusive. Keep using the oil. Your hearing might sound muffled (dulled) a little in the coming days, but this will be due do the oil loosening the wax build up.
Michael

 

[Sarah123]

Basically I'm on accutane for my acne that started this year. Just odd how this came on. My ear is giving me a headache I'm sure it is. It feels really blocked

 

[Michael Leigh]

Basically I'm on accutane for my acne that started this year. Just odd how this came on. My ear is giving me a headache I'm sure it is. It feels really blocked

Tinnitus can cause headaches, I get them when my tinnitus is very intrusive. The blocked feeling is caused by the oil loosening the wax. A while ago when I had to have my ears irrigated due to wax. I used the oil for 10 days and my ears felt blocked the whole time. It's a little bit of discomfort but you must use the oil, so that when they micro-suction or irrigate your ears the wax comes out easily.

 

[Sarah123]

I don't know what to do now though whether to carry on with the medicine or not. I don't know what's causing this

 

[Michael Leigh]

I don't know what to do now though whether to carry on with the medicine or not. I don't know what's causing this

Have a word with your GP if you're concerned but hopefully it isn't that...

 

[Sarah123]

I don't know how I'd know if it was the medication or just the wax

 

[Michael Leigh]

I don't know how I'd know if it was the medication or just the wax

If I were in your situation Sarah, I would try not to worry about it and carry on as you are doing. When the wax is cleared, if you still have the tinnitus after a few days then discuss the medication with your GP.
Michael

 

[Sarah123]

If it was just from wax build up how come it's in just one ear?

 

[Michael Leigh]

If it was just from wax build up how come it's in just one ear?

Tinnitus doesn't always affect both ears. One ear probably has more wax build up than the other. You should be putting oil in both ears...

 

[Sarah123]

Yeah I'm putting it in both. If it was from the wax how long roughly after I have my ears syringed should the ringing go? Thanks for everything

 

[Michael Leigh]

Yeah I'm putting it in both. If it was from the wax how long roughly after I have my ears syringed should the ringing go? Thanks for everything

I would give it 1 to 2 weeks. If the tinnitus is still there then it might be a good idea to discuss the medication with your GP. Before your tinnitus, did you listen to music through headphones regularly or attend clubs where loud music is played?

 

[Sarah123]

No I never go anywhere with loud music or listen to music through headphones, it's never loud when I listen too it. I'm worrying now. A dermatologist can only prescribe this acne drug so I'll ask

 

[Michael Leigh]

Best of luck....