Middle Ear Infection Link with Tinnitus

[cjb2]

I have massive sympathy for anyone that suffers from ringing in the ears as I have seemed to have developed this myself following on from a sinus infection where had seemed to had spread into my middle ear cavities through the tube that connects the ear and throat (Eustacian Tube Dysfucntion). I am not going to deny that it has been a frightening experience for me but I am hoping that the tinnitus is going to ease if I can clear up the middle ear infection. The symptoms that I have had are 'fullness' behind the ear drum and a high pitched ringing sound. I have to say that it is fortunately not been continuous in recent days but it is something that I come more acutely aware of. It is worse first thing in the morning.

The way that I have managed to deal with it is to put a hot compress over my ears (I use one of those microwave bands for dealing with muscle strains rather than a hot water soaked flannel) as a means to loosen to catarrh by reducing the viscosity that I think is behind my ear drums for about quarter of an hour for each ear and use steam and a couple of drops of Olbas Oil to try and open up my Eustacian tubes. Also, I carefully try to 'pop' my ears to try and equalise the pressure during the breathing in the steam and vapour and to some extent, this does work and eases the tinnitus after a couple of hours. I have also been taking some nasal antihistamines to reduce the inflammation which to some extent have worked but it is taking a long time.

At night time, I have got myself a Tinnitus Sound Relief Pillow which I connect into a mobile phone or MP3 player and play white noise sound relief such that it is just about audible but enough to mask the sound of the tinnitus. Also sleep position is also crucial whether I lay on my front or back but have found that sleeping on my back does make the tinnitius less severe (which I think could be due to to catarrh pressing on the auditory nerve). I think about it this way that the catarrh needs to drain down the Eustacian tube and if you are not lying on your front then it can accumulate in the middle ear area thus making the symptoms worse. I can now get about 3-4 hours sleep at a time but still waking up sometimes twice in the night.

I have also read that some minerals and vitamins so I have also started taking these on a daily basis and even raw crushed garlic may also have some healing properties. Another thing I have also taken up is a 30 minute walk each day and using distraction techniques such as having some natural white noise or even doing yoga. The only way I think you can beat tinnitus is to try and shut it out of your mind.

I am not claiming that any of the above is the right way to deal with this but maybe it sets things in my own mind that I can do other things that would allow me to not let this horrible condition take over my life.

[Sally07]

Hi I developed my tinnitus through similar circumstances. I had a middle ear infection which led to a fluid build up behind my eardrum. I had the 'fullness' feeling too, and the high pitched ringing, and whenever I made my ear pop, it would also 'crackle' for ten seconds or so. When the infection cleared up, the fullness disappeared and the noise which I heard changed from a ringing to a hissing, which is much easier to deal with as it blends in more with background sounds. It's been nearly a year since it all happened.

I think your methods of clearing it sound good. I definitely used too many products that actually go in your ear, like various ear drops I got from a chemist which I believe made it worse. The vitamins and minerals sound interesting - which ones do you use? I have never tried any myself.

I have found that time has made things much easier. I think the most important thing is not to let it change anything, and keep doing the things you enjoy regardless of it, if you possibly can. Yes, life becomes a bit of a 'fight' against the tinnitus but it's better than giving up on everything and letting it take over. Wishing you all the best!

[cjb2 in reply to Sally07]

Thanks for your reply.

I have found that steam (with a drop of Olbas Oil) and a hot compress seems to be most effective against the ear even though it does offer a temporary relief. Also I find that avoiding stress also alleviates the symptoms as well. I was told not to put any products in the outer ear as it is on the wrong side of the ear drum.

I have also been prescribed Avamys from the doctor which is a cortisone product which you spray up your nose once a day which the aim is trying to get this into my Eustachian tubes to clear any inflammation. A good walk during the day also helps.

I have been taking Sainsburys A-Z Multi-vitamins and mineral tablets where the key ones are vitamin B12, D3, Magnesium and Zinc (to boost immune system). Also a couple of cloves of raw crushed garlic (to release the allicin) thrown into a meal also helps partially alleviate the ringing sound.

There are times during the day when the ringing stops altogether and the comes back again in the evening. The sound pillow playing white noise (Hearing Direct sell these) and a ticking mechanical clock also mask the tinnitus during the night hours.

Thanks for your support on this and it is not just me that has had to suffer this horrible condition.

[Sally07 in reply to cjb2]

Hi again,

Thank you for this very thorough reply. I will try some of the vitamins and minerals you suggest, as well as the crushed garlic, and see what happens.

Very best wishes!

Sally

[ShakeelaBTA]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum.

Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here:

tinnitus.org.uk (information and support details)

takeontinnitus.co.uk (free tinnitus management programme)

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

Kind regards

Shakeela