Tinnitus due to an ear infection in August 2016 - Tinnitus UK

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Tinnitus due to an ear infection in August 2016

N1man69 profile image
8 Replies

So I'm into month 5 now and pretty much resigned to it being permanent. I'm coping better than I was (first two months were awful) but it's still annoying. Is there any chance it goes? Its both ears but one ear is worse - a high pitched 'eeeeeee' sounds.

Anyone had good results from CBT?

Thanks

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N1man69
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8 Replies

Welcome to the community.

CBT can help you emotionally and this helps you cope better with tinnitus and helps confidence and social skills.

Have you been seen by ENT and had a hearing test and MRI

..lots of love glynis

N1man69 profile image
N1man69 in reply to

hello. yes ive had an MRI and seen an ENT. thanks for yr reply

Hi Gregch,

An ear infection can take a while to clear up and the tinnitus too. You are still in the early days so I suggest you give it some more time. Try using sound enrichment at night using a sound machine, instead of sleeping in a quiet room.

Michael

N1man69 profile image
N1man69 in reply to

thanks for yr reply. is 4 months considered early days?

in reply to N1man69

up to 8 months I consider early days and even a little longer. The ear is a very delicate organ. If there is no additional problems such as: hearing loss, dizziness or pain in the ears, sometimes, the best thing is to leave it alone and see what happens. Some people might have difficultly coping with tinnitus and a referral for tinnitus counselling with a hearing therapist or other treatment might be recommended.

4 months is a long time but with ear infections tinnitus can linger for a lot of weeks.

After 6 months it's more likely going to stay but still could go.

I would use steam inhalation and a mucous lintus to help clear any mucous left in your tubes ....hope that helps...lots of love glynis

Over time your brain will learn to ignore the T so long as you practice trying not to focus on it ot letting your emotions run riot to it.

The periods you haven't noticed it get longer and longer so it should eventually reach a stage where it's like not having T. So don't feel too resigned to it. :)

Ear infections make things seem particularly worse as the loss of hearing causes less masking of the T from external sounds.

Also in the early stages it's likely that you are stuck in the T causing stress, causing worse T vicious cycle. The only way to break a vicious cycle is to change something. So try what I suggested in my first paragraph.

My right eardrum has just been perforated by an ear infection. It's a weakness I've had in my ears from birth. It does cause me to notice the T more often but so long as I stick to my own advice, the T just disappears from my awareness within a minute or so.

I've used this analogy many times, but it is a bit like how you rarely notice yourself breathing or blinking until you focus on it. Not so easy if you are slightly on the OCD spectrum like me. :)

I see the BTA's mission statement is to aim to prevent all suffering from T. I would stick my neck out and say 99% of that suffering is emotional and psychological. That's probably why CBT and mindfulness is so helpful.

Be positive, don't feel that T has taken something away from you. For me, it helped me becomw a more positive person.

All the best.

N1man69 profile image
N1man69 in reply to

thanks

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