Is Tinnitus painful?

[Kazzakk]

I had this awful virus over the new year and into January. My right side was totally blocked and took some weeks to clear. Since this I've had constant tinnitus but also a feeling of fullness and heat with a little discomfort. Is this normal for tinnitus or does it sound like something underlying is causing it? I have sleep depravation because of it which I'm sure alot of you know is very debilitating. Any help would be very much appreciated.

[RobWG]

Hi

I've certainly had the symptoms you describe, fullness and heat. I intermittently get ezcema my ears long before T arrived. The sensation of them being full has lessened of late but my symptoms constantly shift.

I've never had those specific aspects diagnosed as such thinking about it. Early on I had some other head and balance related issues that were very difficult and took precent I suppose

Part of the ongoing T battle experience for me.

I'd note I'm fortunate that I'm quite well habitulised at the moment so my T doesn't bother me to the extent it did in the early days.

Hope things settle for you. If my experience is anything it is that it gets better and easier though with bumps along the way.

Rgds

Rob

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

The position I think we tend to take is that physiological symptoms - discomfort, 'plugged'/blocked sensations, pressure, etc. - suggest an underlying cause like an infection, an ear blockage and it would be these issues potentially causing pain rather than tinnitus.

Having said that, the frustration, irritation or other psychological impacts of tinnitus for some folks would certainly constitute pain to them.

[ghlla]

Hi there,

I'm about 3.5 months into my tinnitus journey, initially I was fully focused on the noise itself. I'm starting to habituate to the noise so it's not as bothersome as it was, and I'm generally sleeping better.

However what I was initially ignoring are the other symptoms I have. I have a feeling of fullness in my left ear near constantly (even though it's clear of wax). It is also really quite painful at times, I find ibuprofen helps with that. I also can't "pop" my left ear at all. My ENT has told me to keep trying.

I also have dry skin in my left ear so recommended olive oil periodically.

I haven't had a formal diagnosis, but my symptoms seem to match ETD. I hope to get a formal diagnosis someday.

[PABLR]

I don't think tinnitus itself is painful, but especially when you first get it there may well be other things going on that are causing pain - an infection, a blocked ear, etc and it's hard to know what is what. If you can deal with those things you are probably going to be left with highly annoying but pain-free tinnitus.

[Emmie1301]

maybe some sort of Eustachian tube dysfunction going on? Pretty common after a virus. My T is always worse after a cold or flu. I do my best to clear my sinuses and ears by chewing gum, weirdly stretching my jaw by opening my mouth wide opens my Eustachian tube and helps. Then just lots of fluids and dehumidifier to keep siniuses clear!