Tinnitus sufferer since 2003 - and it’s gotten worse

Hi all,

I’m in desperate need for some help and advice.

I have suffered from noise-induced T since 2003 which has always been pretty manageable. However in November 2019 I noticed something not quite right with my ears so I booked an appointment with an audiologist and had my ears micro-suctioned (I used to have them syringed every year or so but I was told this was safer). After this was done in December I came down with an ear infection and was prescribed antibiotics. A few weeks later (start of February 2020) the infection came back and I was given a different type of antibiotic, it seemed to have cleared up but my ears just haven’t been right since. The T is louder and different to before. I have about 2/3 different sounds now as supposed to just the 1 and I cannot cope anymore.

I was due to be referred to an ENT, but with the pandemic my referral has been postponed. I am feeling incredibly suicidal with this and I just don’t know what to do.

Some days it’s ok, sometimes it’s bad, and it’s affecting my sleep, this time it feels inside my head more than my ears. I have tried using white noise apps for masking, antihistamines, and currently a Fluticasone steroid nasal spray. I have been doing a lot of research and I think I may have ETD (eustachian tube dysfunction) brought on by the persistent ear infection. Obviously that’s just my thoughts, not that of a doctor. I’m am living in hell with this and as I said it’s been giving me really dark thoughts. My GP is horrible and patronising which is only adding to my anxiety.

Has anyone else had experienced this? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

John

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi John. I'm sorry to read that you are feeling low and experiencing difficulties with your tinnitus. It is a difficult time to be managing tinnitus as long-awaited hospital appointments are being postponed due to the pressures which Covid-19 is placing on medical care, leaving you in limbo until a rescheduled date is offered.

I can't speak to any direct experience with recent ear infections, but the consensus on them is that it can take a while for your ears to recover fully. The American resource Healthline has some guidance on treating adult ear infections which you might find helpful - healthline.com/health/ear-i...

I can understand that you must feel somewhat isolated and devoid of support at the moment - and that you may not feel that your doctor appreciates what you are trying to cope with. Try not to let the negative thoughts take over - they are thoughts and you don't have to act on them.

You don't have to see everything as being sunshine and roses, but equally you can try to think that once the ear infection has recovered, once we have relaxed quarantine measures and can get out a little more, that your tinnitus could very well diminish and that the normal masking sounds of a more active and busy world can be effective once again.

Please take care and feel free to post if you're having difficulties.