Tinnitus from Middle Ear Infection: What Should I Ask the ENT?

[DutchMelvin]

Hi guys,

My name is Melvin and I'm a 32-year-old guy from The Netherlands. My tinnitus started 6 weeks ago with a hissing sound (like an old TV). I went to the doctor and he said I have a middle ear infection with fluid behind my eardrum. I have symptoms like feeling dizzy, headache, pressure on the eardrums and tinnitus (which comes and goes). I was in fight/flight mode for 3 weeks, lost 5 kg because fearing the tinnitus and couldn't sleep. Slowly it's getting better now and I can sleep again without masking the sound. I'm still bothered a lot by the sound, but I guess that's normal after only a few weeks.

The doctor gave me a nose spray (Fluticasone), which I used for a month. It was not helping at all and symptoms like pressure on the eardrums and headache were only getting worse.

Luckily I can see an ENT specialist next week, and I hope to get some answers. What questions should I ask? Is there anything I shouldn't forget to do or ask when seeing him/her?

Are there any person who walked the same path and can give me some general advice? Thank you very much!

Greetings,
Melvin

 

[Nick47]

@DutchMelvin, have an audiogram. If the middle ear infection is still there, then go on antibiotics. That is it.

 

[just1morething]

I went to the doctor and he said I have a middle ear infection with fluid behind my eardrum

I would think your doctor would have put you on an antibiotic right away. I was put on Amoxicillin after my airplane barotrauma. My eardrum was 2/3rds full of fluid according to my primary doctor. The fluid sloshed around in my ear for about a month. An ENT said it should have been drained and may have caused my tinnitus.

 

[Lane]

general advice?

Hi @DutchMelvin -- There are a number of references on this forum of people using diluted apple cider vinegar drops in their ears [one story at this link: I Killed the Ringing. It Has Been 3 Weeks of Silence.] There's also an especially INTRIGUING POST by a man who claims garlic mullein oil made a huge difference for him. I would be very cautious of taking some of the drug-oriented ear drops ENTs often prescribe, some of which have caused or exacerbated tinnitus. -- Take care!

 

[DutchMelvin]

@DutchMelvin, have an audiogram. If the middle ear infection is still there, then go on antibiotics. That is it.

Thanks for your reply. The doctor said antibiotics won't work because it's caused by a virus and not a bacteria. Does that make sense?

I would think your doctor would have put you on an antibiotic right away. I was put on Amoxicillin after my airplane barotrauma. My eardrum was 2/3rds full of fluid according to my primary doctor. The fluid sloshed around in my ear for about a month. An ENT said it should have been drained and may have caused my tinnitus.

Thanks for your reply. How is your tinnitus now? He gave me no antibiotics because it was caused by a virus and not a bacteria. I hope the ENT can drain my fluid as well.

Hi @DutchMelvin -- There are a number of references on this forum of people using diluted apple cider vinegar drops in their ears [one story at this link: I Killed the Ringing. It Has Been 3 Weeks of Silence.] There's also an especially INTRIGUING POST by a man who claims garlic mullein oil made a huge difference for him. I would be very cautious of taking some of the drug-oriented ear drops ENTs often prescribe, some of which have caused or exacerbated tinnitus. -- Take care!

Thank you, I will check it out!

 

[GregCA]

Thanks for your reply. The doctor said antibiotics won't work because it's caused by a virus and not a bacteria. Does that make sense?

That makes sense, but how did the doctor determine that the cause was a virus rather than bacteria?

 

[Nick47]

The doctor said antibiotics won't work because it's caused by a virus and not a bacteria. Does that make sense?

@DutchMelvin, if it's viral, all you can do is wait it out. Tinnitus will possibly stay.

 

[DutchMelvin]

That makes sense, but how did the doctor determine that the cause was a virus rather than bacteria?

Good question. I guess because of my symptoms. I didn't feel sick.

@DutchMelvin, if it's viral, all you can do is wait it out. Tinnitus will possibly stay.

If it stays, is it possible to habituate to a hissing sound? Or is habituating to a beep more likely?

 

[Amv]

Hey @DutchMelvin, I am sorry but I am sure you will be fine! I am leaving you some advice (I am talking also from a personal experience):

• Eustachian tubes take up to 6 months to work properly after strong sinusitis or otitis media (but right now you have two main goals, clear the fluid and protect your inner ear), so be patient.
• Eustachian tube gland changes in acute otitis media.
• I would suggest you to take NAC, it will protect your inner ear and help thin the mucus and drain it.
• Drink lots of water, and, if possible, with a straw (this will open your Eustachian tubes and drain the mucus).
• Search how to use the steroid nasal sprays properly so you can direct them to your Eustachian tubes, which is very important (they can temporarily spike the tinnitus but not permanently, and they will help you drain the mucus which is your biggest enemy now).
• I would strongly suggest NOT to use Neti pot or Sinus Rinse (it can be fatal for your ears with Eustachian tube dysfunction as fluid can get trapped and worsen things) but you can use normal saline nasal sprays like Sinomarin.
• Do a high frequency hearing test and a speech-in-noise test a couple of months after the fluid has cleared.
• Be careful not to fly with otitis media.
• Maybe ask your ENT for oral steroids, it can help your Eustachian tubes a lot.
• Antihistamines can help, they are good to lower inflammation of the Eustachian tubes, discuss this with your doctor.
• Go as soon as possible to a very well trained ENT and/or Otologist, the sooner the better. It is worth the money and time is key.

Keep us informed!