Tinnitus and flu

[Mille23]

I have caught a flu with high temperature and tinnitus has changed to the worse. It is getting very loud , both from ears and head. Have any of you experienced the same ? I have been tested negative for covid.

[Happyrosie]

I haven’t - thank goodness - had flu for fifty years or so. But when I get a cold the T is always much worse. Possibly because I’m not distracting my brain so much! But it gets better,, or less intrusive.

[Mille23 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you for your answer. Now I am less nervous☺️

[Julia1jasper]

Hi Millie, sorry to hear you’re getting stressed with this. I’ve had all life and sort of used to it but every time I’m below par or get a cold or similar the noise increases to like a fire alarm at times. It’s only ever temporary and gets back to normal as soon as feeling well again so have faith and don’t worry too much about the prospect of it staying like this. It’s easy to say but the worry seems to make it worse but just from experience it won’t stay the same and over time I’ve learned to recognise the triggers and ride the storms knowing it won’t last. Hope you feel better and with that the noise calms down soon. J x

[Mille23 in reply to Julia1jasper]

Thank you Julia . Good to learn how you have coped with colds , and that T will settle down again. 🙏 I think that the dysfunction of the eustacian tubes gets worse when having a flu, cold . That could be one of the reasons for a louder T.

[Julia1jasper in reply to Mille23]

Aww thanks reply and hope that you get more reassurance that more than likely it will calm down. I don’t traditionally suffer ear infections apart from 2 long spells when had glandular fever 2 years on the run when in high school and lost my voice and was completely deaf for couples months each time. However just after Xmas I had what thought was flu but maybe was just a cold. (Man flu🤣) I had infection in both ears and took half of this year and 5 lots antibiotics to finally go. It’s the only time I’ve panicked really because the T was like nothing I’d had like several different noises, both eardrums perforated with the pressure and had swollen painful lumps In front and behind my ears and back of neck. I couldn’t hear anything external but the noise in head Was so worrying especially With Covid happening but I did manage see my gp luckily. It’s not a moan as am grateful wasn’t the Covid thing but never less was bit scary. Have had both T and hearing loss all life and I know the glandular fever had an impact as didn’t regain all the hearing I did have but nothing’s changed for last 10 years or so. Was thinking I could cope if didn’t get some hearing back but not if I was left listening to constant screaming. I not being extreme but if we share experiences it does help I think because from what I can see stress itself can male it so much more noticeable. It’s all back to normal now and tinnitus just the same as usual which, as always thought was normal, I don’t notice half of the time. I find that when have the odd cold or something and things are a bit loud I maybe do some art or read or get out for a walk or watch tv so not concentrating on it. Concentrating on subtitles prob makes me more irritated 🤣. Do seek advice if not on mend soon but am sure when you feel well again things will calm down. Do some things you like doing and don’t let it burden you too much. Hope you feel better soon and you don’t feel so anxious. We are all different but I imagine most people with tinnitus find it’s worse during stress or illness. Stay strong x

[Mille23 in reply to Julia1jasper]

Thanks for sharing your story 😊