Self Syringing Caused My Tinnitus

[JackJack]

Dear Everyone,

I was dealing with an ear infection in my right ear and went to a doctor about it. While there, she informed me that my LEFT ear was impacted with wax and tha I should get it cleaned out. I purchased an at-home ear syringe from CVS that stated it was "maximum safety" and it could not cause any damages to the ear drum because it sprayed the water into the ear a specific way.

After I syringed my ear, I knew something was wrong as my hearing in my left ear immediately started getting worse even though it was clear of wax. Also there was now a constant ringing in the ear.

I went backed to the doctor and got prescribed an ear drop for the ear cause there was some white pus in the ear after syringing, as well as an antibiotic for something about a potential middle ear infection.

It's been a week now and my hearing in my left ear has gotten worse and the ringing has only gotten louder. I have only slept maybe 4 hours over the last 50 hours or so. I've been reading threads on here and all over the internet and I am freaking myself out that this is permanent.

I don't know if I want advice or words of encouragement; but right now, I'd rather be deaf in my left ear than live through this. I'm only 21 and cant shake that this is permanent.

 

[alyssalee97]

Hi!
While I'm not super familiar with getting tinnitus from that way, I've got some advice I can give you since I'm semi new to tinnitus as well.

First of all, limit your time looking up about T online. It's tempting I know, and I struggle with it as well (duh, me currently on this site right now lol) but a lot of stuff is going to make things worse (as I can already imagine it's doing so). A lot of the anxiety I get from T is because of looking about online. So do your best to stay away. But if you must, check out more encouraging threads. Look at success stories! Also, it may be helpful to check out the positivity thread. Personally, I think it's a life saver.

Secondly, sleep is incredibly important when dealing with T! From what I've read from other's experience, lack of T can cause spikes. I know it's easier said than done, but try to get as much as sleep as you can. Try getting some melatonin (I recommend 10g, those suckers make you sleepy). Try using some sort of background noise. Fans are great. Also brown noise always helped me cancel out that tinnitus sound. There's also some tinnitus sound therapy on youtube that helps cancel out the noise and I play it every night when I fall asleep. I'll link those here and here (just a general warning, with the sound therapy, I've heard that it can make some people's tinnitus worse. Proceed with caution. You may have to find one that's right for you!).

You are young, and your body can do amazing things like bounce back from this! Sending you lots of love & prayers!

 

[Samantha R]

@JackJack
I am so sorry that you are struggling with tinnitus.
Do you know if you have a perforated eardrum? If you do, you shouldn't put anything in your ears until it is healed.
Is the wax now removed? Wax and ear infections can cause temporary tinnitus, I hope that yours goes away with time. Try not to think the worse right now, it's a tough time but nothing says this is going to be permanent. You've only had this for a week, so you've got to try and be positive.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I don't know if I want advice or words of encouragement; but right now, I'd rather be deaf in my left ear than live through this. I'm only 21 and cant shake that this is permanent.

Hi @JackJack
You need to be seen by an ENT Dr to have checks done on your auditory system and try to do this sooner rather than later. By the way, even if you were deaf in the left ear it wouldn't stop you hearing the tinnitus as, the noise is generated in the brain. Click on the link below and read my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View, as it might be of some help. Try to read it in full and not skim through it.
All the best
Michael
https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/