Congestion, mucus, tinnitus, chronic.. Please help

[PixieOwl]

I've had a really bad year. I don't know what's happened to my ears, but back in December a few things happened. I was quite ill and had a few colds, had to go on antibiotics and generally was run down for a while.

I started to get a deep rumbling in my ears and a fullness. I mentioned it to my ENT at the end of January who I saw to originally help with misophonia/hyperacusis of which I've now been diagnosed and am seeing an audiologist for as I hate sounds (like people eating etc).

As the rumbling started I mentioned this to him and he shrugged it off as a stress thing and also told me to get my jaw checked out which I have and it is fine although I grind a lot.

Since that appointment I've been to the doctors endless amounts of times as my ears have been getting worse. I am now, 8 months later, waiting on another ENT referral as mine wouldn't see me as I'm on a yearly and should see them mid September.

The noise is constant. It is loud. It vibrates so even if I mask it my ears vibrate. My ears are full, a few doctors told me they could see catarrh, one told me my tubes were blocked. Sprays, steroids, sterimar.. Nothing helps. I now have a constant post nasal drip. I get vertigo and sinus headaches, and cannot breathe through my noise. I bought an ear popper which doesn't seem to provide relief. I have just purchased an allergy blood test with Nuffield Health (ImmunoCAP) but I am avoiding things I know I'm sensitive to like dairy.

It's all very hard to cope with. And the noise is getting louder which is scary. It is constant, that isn't an exaggeration. It wakes me up and night and is roaring. Nothing eases it. It's so loud, and is worse when my ears feel worse. I've stopped taking antihistamines as I've read they can thicken mucus. I just can't get a moment's peace. I get the normal high pitched tinnitus, but this is just horrible constant pressure and noise.

I am at a complete loss as my doctors have no idea what's wrong and nobody can help. Has anybody experienced this for this long? Is this noise tinnitus or will it settle once the congestion does? It's terrifying and loud and is ruining my life.

[Michael8272]

Hi pixieowl,

I'm going through something similar at the minute.i'v had tinnitus since March just came out of nowhere.went to gp and he said I had alot of wax so got that removed but no joy.then hyperacusis came about 4 weeks later.thank God it has went down about 60 %.in June I started getting ear fullness and pressure went to gp and he says it was down to hayfever,so got antibiotics but we're no good,then I started to get pressure around the face and headaches constantly.went on holidays for a week and had no bother with the headaches while I was away but still got ear fullness and pressure on and off.since I got back my tinnitus is through the roof wakes me up at night and is constant.i was just getting used to it before I got ear blocking.got a appointment with doctor again next week but don't see any great out come.i'v had crackling sound in my ears for 10 years or so before I ever got tinnitus but it never bothered me and I have no hearing loss.but I do think my tinnitus is all related to this.

[NicBTA Partner]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum PixieOwl. 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

takeontinnitus.co.uk

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

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)