Tinnitus and Ear Infection — Please Help!

[Agrajag364]

Hello all, I have very loud tinnitus of 2-3 weeks' duration in one ear, probably caused by an ear wax impaction in that one ear. The impaction's been there a few months as I have had 50% reduced hearing in that ear on and off for a few months.

An ENT advised me to use olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops for a few weeks before getting the wax micro suctioned. I was glad to try the drops first as I wondered about the risks of suctioning exacerbating tinnitus.

But now I think I may have an ear infection as suddenly the ear is quite sore.

My question is - is tinnitus more likely to be exacerbated or permanently worsened by an ear infection, or by antibiotics? I would normally suppose the former, but I understand some antibiotics can worsen tinnitus.

Although I think my tinnitus was partly set off by the deafness caused by ear wax impaction/wax sitting on the drug, it actually started after one day of amoxcillin, given by a GP who wasn't sure if I had an infection but I think just gave me some antibiotics just in case. I also note the NHS website says there's no evidence antibiotics speed up ear infection healing

Which is more likely to cause permanent worsenings in tinnitus in the view of experienced forum members. An ear infection, or antibiotic treatment?

 

[Michael Leigh]

@Agrajag364

An ear infection can cause tinnitus and usually this will subside once the infection clears up. However, the infection can take a while to go. If I were you I'd carry on using the antibiotics that you have been prescribed to treat it. I am not aware that they can make tinnitus worse. Compacted earwax can also cause tinnitus and impair hearing. It is vital that you use olive oil eardrops 3x a day for up to 10 days before having the earwax removed. Do not allow anyone to remove the wax until you have used the oil for 10days in the manner mentioned above, as there's a risk of the tinnitus becoming worse. Microsuction is usually recommended for wax removal when ear irrigation is unsuccessful.

Michael

 

[Agrajag364]

Thanks for that Michael, sound sensible. I am hoping it's the earwax that's caused this tinnitus as it has only been in one ear and it's definitely stuffed up with wax. Whether it goes away when the wax is removed is another matter. I decided to read some scientific papers (and online posts, including your own) about micro suction before risking the procedure. I was a bit concerned that my ENT had wanted to do it without first telling me to soften it with drops, it was only cos I wanted to try the most conservative method first that he suggested this.

Do you know why it is the consistency of the wax which dictates whether the suction may risk worsening tinnitus?

I was prescribed the antibiotics a while ago, before the tinnitus started. The GP wasn't sure whether I had an infection and I think mistook what was actually wax on the drum for signs on an infection according to a subsequent GP. I had no pain then and I understand infections cause pain. But now I really do have pain so I may have one for real this time.

 

[Michael Leigh]

Do you know why it is the consistency of the wax which dictates whether the suction may risk worsening tinnitus?

Microsuction is a noisy procedure and can feel a little uncomfortable at times. Compacted earwax can be difficult to remove and mircosuction is recommend when irrigation at the GP surgery is unsuccessful. Therefore, it is important to use eardrops 3 to 4 drops 3x a day for 10 days before microsuction, irrigation or having the wax manually removed.

Some microsuction clinics advertise, earwax can be removed with this procedure without having to use eardrops to soften the wax. Not a good idea. People have contacted me that have gone to these clinics and haven't used oil for 10 days to soften the wax and ended up with tinnitus. When they go back to the clinic and complain no-one wants to know.

Michael

 

[Screamin Ears]

My question is - is tinnitus more likely to be exacerbated or permanently worsened by an ear infection, or by antibiotics? I would normally suppose the former, but I understand some antibiotics can worsen tinnitus.

Yes antibiotics can worsen tinnitus they say that the incidence of this happening is about 1/100 which sounds good if your not the 1, i wouldn't use the antibiotics if your Dr thinks that maybe you might need them, only use antibiotics when you are told you do need them.

 

[Elinor]

Yes antibiotics can worsen tinnitus they say that the incidence of this happening is about 1/100 which sounds good if your not the 1, i wouldn't use the antibiotics if your Dr thinks that maybe you might need them, only use antibiotics when you are told you do need them.

Amoxicillin is very unlikely to cause or worsen tinnitus though. Penicillins in general don't affect T. Tetracyclines and aminoglycosides is what you want to avoid. These are VERY likely to cause/worsen T.

People often like to blame antibiotics, forgetting that infections can cause a lot of damage too. Agrajag364's T was most likely caused by the infection itself.

 

[Screamin Ears]

Amoxicillin is very unlikely to cause or worsen tinnitus though

It did me in, even my ENT said he believed it was the antibiotics that did it.

 

[Agrajag364]

Hello ellanor and screamingears

I probably didn't have an infection at the time I was given the antibiotics. I had no ear pain and the dr herself clearly wasn't sure. The subsequent doctor thought it was wax impaction. I took the amoxillin regardless and that was when the tinnitus began

Now at a later date I do have ear pain and pressure and it seems more likely I have infection. I'm shy of taking antibiotics not so much just for my prior suspicion but also cos NHS guidance says there's no evidence they help with recovery from infection

However I agree it's impossible to know for sure what caused what. Blooming nightmare

 

[Agrajag364]

The NHS information page advises a lot of ear infections are viral rather than bacterial, but who knows

 

[Michael Leigh]

Amoxicillin is very unlikely to cause or worsen tinnitus though. Penicillins in general don't affect T. Tetracyclines and aminoglycosides is what you want to avoid. These are VERY likely to cause/worsen T. People often like to blame antibiotics, forgetting that infections can cause a lot of damage too. Agrajag364's T was most likely caused by the infection itself.

Well said @Elinor If people tried to forget about every little thing making their tinnitus worse then they would feel a lot better. My blood pressure medicine is listed as "can cause" ringing in the ears. I haven't noticed any increase in my tinnitus and I've been taking if for some time. I would rather take it than risk a: stroke, heart attack, kidney failure or my early demise from this mortal plane. I hear it all the time from people that contact me. Afraid salt, red meat or a dairy product is going to spike their tinnitus. I went down this route many years ago when I first got tinnitus. Monitering every morsal of food and drink that passed my lips. All that happened I became miserable.

Michael

 

[glynis]

Just getting over a nasty infection making my ears go crazy.
Day 4 on Amoxicillin 500mg 3 times a day and today my ears have calmed down to what is my everyday level loud sound.
Keep taking your meds and I'm sure you will soon see a improvement.
Love glynis

 

[Agrajag364]

I agree that worrying about food is excessive Michael, but I don't think concern over medicines is so misplaced when dealing with such an unknown

 

[Agrajag364]

Thank you Glynis

 

[DebInAustralia]

Thanks for that Michael, sound sensible. I am hoping it's the earwax that's caused this tinnitus as it has only been in one ear and it's definitely stuffed up with wax. Whether it goes away when the wax is removed is another matter. I decided to read some scientific papers (and online posts, including your own) about micro suction before risking the procedure. I was a bit concerned that my ENT had wanted to do it without first telling me to soften it with drops, it was only cos I wanted to try the most conservative method first that he suggested this.

Do you know why it is the consistency of the wax which dictates whether the suction may risk worsening tinnitus?

I was prescribed the antibiotics a while ago, before the tinnitus started. The GP wasn't sure whether I had an infection and I think mistook what was actually wax on the drum for signs on an infection according to a subsequent GP. I had no pain then and I understand infections cause pain. But now I really do have pain so I may have one for real this time.

which antibiotic were you given?

 

[Screamin Ears]

I probably didn't have an infection at the time I was given the antibiotics. I had no ear pain and the dr herself clearly wasn't sure. The subsequent doctor thought it was wax impaction. I took the amoxillin regardless and that was when the tinnitus began

Now at a later date I do have ear pain and pressure and it seems more likely I have infection.

If the Dr isn't sure that's a bad sign, if you can afford it see an ENT or Audiologist.

 

[Emelie]

@Agrajag364 Hello, have you got any better? Still having tinnitus?

 

[Emelie]

It did me in, even my ENT said he believed it was the antibiotics that did it.

@Screamin Ears

Which antibiotic were you given?

 

[Agrajag364]

I do still have it I'm afraid. As it turned out I did have an outer ear infection from the wax impaction being misdiagnosed for so long, and possibly my two weeks of oil use before removal