I've had tinnitus for 6 weeks. It started with an earwax blockage. I remember the exact moment, my ears plugged and a ringing started. It continued after the wax was removed. I was diagnosed with an ear infection. I never had any pain or a fever from the infection though, so I'm thinking it may have been an inner ear infection. I was told by the doctor that my ear drum looked bad, and he couldn't believe it didn't hurt. I started a week of antibiotics. Nothing changed.
I've seen a different doctor every time I had a check up. At the end of the week of antibiotics, I was told that the infection seemed to have cleared, but I had nasal decongestion. I didn't feel congested, but the doctor said it was there and was likely putting pressure on my ear, which could still be causing the tinnitus. I was already taking an antihistamine and nasal spray for allergies, so he recommended the Neti pot as the only other thing I could do.
A few days later cracking sounds appeared in both my ears. I went back to another clinic. That doctor felt that the infection must have gotten into my inner ear. He said there was some deformation on my eardrum, but advised I remain patient as it can take a while for any inflammation to clear up.
I have an ENT appointment September 9th, but haven't seen one yet throughout the 6 weeks as doctors were refusing me an referral (told me to just wait until the infection cleared, and then see), then it took 3 weeks to get an appointment after the referral was sent.
I was on both oral and ear drop antibiotics for the infection. I also was already on Bilastine antihistamine for years due to allergies, and Mometasone Furoate nasal spray, again for years. So I've continued those throughout this experience.
I added an OTC decongestant for a week, then stopped. I've also added steaming with eucalyptus oil and have been more careful with my diet - more fruit and veggies.
I also had a hearing test August 15th. That showed some high frequency hearing loss, but no pressure on my eardrum. They didn't recommend hearing aids just yet, as they said the hearing loss could be consistent with whatever was happening with my ear and could improve when / if things cleared.
So the past 2 days I felt that things were starting to clear. The cracking wasn't as bad, and there were times yesterday when I swear the tinnitus was gone. It wasn't stable yesterday. There were times it was louder, then times with a good crack that it was barely audible / perhaps completely gone.
Something happened last night where I noticed that I started getting a low hum in my whole head. I've had that at various points throughout this. It is generally associated with a weather change, and came and went. I was curious about the hum as the weather didn't change overnight. But I was able to sleep nonetheless.
Then at one point last night my tinnitus just started screaming. It's the loudest it has been throughout the six weeks. And it's all over my head, almost like a fire alarm just starting going off. It's more high pitched, and seems to be ringing faster. The Eustachian tubes seem mostly clear. Some cracking noises but they're significantly better than even yesterday.
So I'm really not sure what happened.
I had water as soon as waking, in case I got dehydrated overnight. And I've taken my antihistamine. I've also left a message with my ENT asking if it might be possible to see her sooner given the spike, but I'm not hopeful.
The only other thing, I accidentally overdosed on the nasal spray yesterday. For years it's been one spray in each nostril, twice daily. The new bottle says 2 sprays once daily. Without even thinking, I did 2 sprays last night, when I had already done one spray in the morning. Not sure if something like that could cause a spike... it happened hours after I did the spray.
I also used my earwax cleaning drops yesterday. Two drops in the am - which didn't seem to bother my ears at all, and 2 drops before bed. Both times I was up and about after letting the drops sit for a few minutes, so it's not likely the drops sat in my ears very long. But they're Audiologist Choice drops, with Carbamide Peroxide 6.5%.
Otherwise, I can't think of anything that could have caused the spike... unless there's something going on with the clearing of the Eustachian tubes... but I've heard that tinnitus would typically clear with the tubes clearing, I haven't heard of it getting worse...
The only other thing I can think of is trying some Vit B complex today.
A dentist also told me there's evidence that I may grind my teeth or clench my jaw. My husband doesn't seem to think I make a grinding noise - at least not from what he has noticed, but I feel I may be clenching my jaw from the ear discomfort. Unfortunately I had jaw surgery 20 years ago and the dentist said given the extent of the work, it could be very challenging to pinpoint if my jaw is contributing.
I'm at such a loss and am discouraged after yesterday, thinking it may be finally going away!
Through the 6 weeks, I've been anxious for all of it except the past 2-3 days. Some days I need Lorazepam, but it's been a week since I last took one. It was really just every now and then and not every day. For the first week I had Zopiclone to sleep. I haven't used that in about 2 weeks. The one I used 2 weeks ago was a one off where something spiked my anxiety right before bed and I couldn't calm down.
I've been trying to keep busy, but I miss rest, and am tired of having to keep busy. My husband has been supportive, but this has been hard on him too. I've been so anxious our intimacy has been impacted, and I'm starting to feel bad about that.
We were also in the process of adopting a 4-year-old boy. Now I'm not so sure I can do it.
Who here has had experience with ETD? How long did it last? Did you have high frequency hearing loss? Did it come back? Did the cracking subside? Did the tinnitus go away?
I've seen a different doctor every time I had a check up. At the end of the week of antibiotics, I was told that the infection seemed to have cleared, but I had nasal decongestion. I didn't feel congested, but the doctor said it was there and was likely putting pressure on my ear, which could still be causing the tinnitus. I was already taking an antihistamine and nasal spray for allergies, so he recommended the Neti pot as the only other thing I could do.
A few days later cracking sounds appeared in both my ears. I went back to another clinic. That doctor felt that the infection must have gotten into my inner ear. He said there was some deformation on my eardrum, but advised I remain patient as it can take a while for any inflammation to clear up.
I have an ENT appointment September 9th, but haven't seen one yet throughout the 6 weeks as doctors were refusing me an referral (told me to just wait until the infection cleared, and then see), then it took 3 weeks to get an appointment after the referral was sent.
I was on both oral and ear drop antibiotics for the infection. I also was already on Bilastine antihistamine for years due to allergies, and Mometasone Furoate nasal spray, again for years. So I've continued those throughout this experience.
I added an OTC decongestant for a week, then stopped. I've also added steaming with eucalyptus oil and have been more careful with my diet - more fruit and veggies.
I also had a hearing test August 15th. That showed some high frequency hearing loss, but no pressure on my eardrum. They didn't recommend hearing aids just yet, as they said the hearing loss could be consistent with whatever was happening with my ear and could improve when / if things cleared.
So the past 2 days I felt that things were starting to clear. The cracking wasn't as bad, and there were times yesterday when I swear the tinnitus was gone. It wasn't stable yesterday. There were times it was louder, then times with a good crack that it was barely audible / perhaps completely gone.
Something happened last night where I noticed that I started getting a low hum in my whole head. I've had that at various points throughout this. It is generally associated with a weather change, and came and went. I was curious about the hum as the weather didn't change overnight. But I was able to sleep nonetheless.
Then at one point last night my tinnitus just started screaming. It's the loudest it has been throughout the six weeks. And it's all over my head, almost like a fire alarm just starting going off. It's more high pitched, and seems to be ringing faster. The Eustachian tubes seem mostly clear. Some cracking noises but they're significantly better than even yesterday.
So I'm really not sure what happened.
I had water as soon as waking, in case I got dehydrated overnight. And I've taken my antihistamine. I've also left a message with my ENT asking if it might be possible to see her sooner given the spike, but I'm not hopeful.
The only other thing, I accidentally overdosed on the nasal spray yesterday. For years it's been one spray in each nostril, twice daily. The new bottle says 2 sprays once daily. Without even thinking, I did 2 sprays last night, when I had already done one spray in the morning. Not sure if something like that could cause a spike... it happened hours after I did the spray.
I also used my earwax cleaning drops yesterday. Two drops in the am - which didn't seem to bother my ears at all, and 2 drops before bed. Both times I was up and about after letting the drops sit for a few minutes, so it's not likely the drops sat in my ears very long. But they're Audiologist Choice drops, with Carbamide Peroxide 6.5%.
Otherwise, I can't think of anything that could have caused the spike... unless there's something going on with the clearing of the Eustachian tubes... but I've heard that tinnitus would typically clear with the tubes clearing, I haven't heard of it getting worse...
The only other thing I can think of is trying some Vit B complex today.
A dentist also told me there's evidence that I may grind my teeth or clench my jaw. My husband doesn't seem to think I make a grinding noise - at least not from what he has noticed, but I feel I may be clenching my jaw from the ear discomfort. Unfortunately I had jaw surgery 20 years ago and the dentist said given the extent of the work, it could be very challenging to pinpoint if my jaw is contributing.
I'm at such a loss and am discouraged after yesterday, thinking it may be finally going away!
Through the 6 weeks, I've been anxious for all of it except the past 2-3 days. Some days I need Lorazepam, but it's been a week since I last took one. It was really just every now and then and not every day. For the first week I had Zopiclone to sleep. I haven't used that in about 2 weeks. The one I used 2 weeks ago was a one off where something spiked my anxiety right before bed and I couldn't calm down.
I've been trying to keep busy, but I miss rest, and am tired of having to keep busy. My husband has been supportive, but this has been hard on him too. I've been so anxious our intimacy has been impacted, and I'm starting to feel bad about that.
We were also in the process of adopting a 4-year-old boy. Now I'm not so sure I can do it.
Who here has had experience with ETD? How long did it last? Did you have high frequency hearing loss? Did it come back? Did the cracking subside? Did the tinnitus go away?
