14-Year-Old with Tinnitus Caused by Virus?

I recently have had tinnitus from the beginning of 2019, and at first thought it was from my headphones that I have listened a lot over the last 2 and a half years. It started as soon as listening to music on my headphones at night as a whooshing sound, then going to high pitched.

But after a few days, I went to my GP and they said, that this was actually to do with a virus that has been spreading very quickly across secondary schools. They said when looking in my ear that I had a damp ear drum and the high pitched ringing noise known as tinnitus was actually a symptom from the virus and they said something about mucus being trapped in my ear which was causing it. Also when I have been walking, now and again I almost here a crackling sound when I move my head quite fast.

They are saying that this is just temporary and will go when the virus does, and said it can take up to 6 weeks to go.

I'm just wanting to know if this is actually not permanent as I hope I don't have it permanently as I also have a over sensitivity to noise and light which makes it worse for me?

Thanks.

 

What your Dr. is talking about is called glue ear, and yes it can block your hearing a little which will cause tinnitus.

Hopefully your doctor is correct but in the meantime, take a break from your headphones.

But do you have a fever?

 

Luckily no I dont and I have quit the headphones.

 

In some cases, people who have first-hand experience of living with tinnitus can give better advice than doctors. But this doesn't sound like one of them.

If the doctor says it's temporary, then let us hope he's right.

Just don't go wild and crazy. If you have tinnitus symptoms, then loud noise sure isn't going to help. Stay catious.

 

Thanks

 

Yup. I have tinnitus and severe hearing loss from a virus. Viruses — even minor ones — can do more damage than most people realize.

I would recommend making an appointment with an ENT for sometime in the next week or two. That way if your symptoms remain, you’ll be able to see a specialist. If you improve, you can cancel the appointment.

 

As I am a child though, and the GP said lots of other kids have had the same problem I have had, do I still have a good chance of it going away from the liquid that is causing it which I would imagine would go away at some point?

 

Drink lots of water, eat a healthy diet and quit the loud noise and your body will heal through the virus with hopefully your hearing intact. Don't over worry too much, most likely it is temporary.

 

Ear infections are more common in children, due in part to their Eustachian tubes. The Eustachian tubes change as we get older, which typically allows fluid to better drain.

Children tend to recover better than adults, for a variety of ailments. For example, my daughter had a horrible ear infection and virus a few weeks before me. I have permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. Her hearing recovered, though she does occasionally experience fleeting tinnitus but that may be due to the temporary hearing loss she often seems to experience when she’s sick or having allergy issues.

 

@TinH Glad you quit the headphones. Did your doctor prescribed anything?

Get some rest. I hope you feel better soon.
Once

 

Thanks, I havent been given any medication, they said to just wait till it goes. I hope it does

 

The fact that you're hearing tinnitus from this blockage means that you're susceptible to it. Do protect your ears, even after this passes!

 

I now have it in my right ear as well as the left. I had to use my headphones today for work, but only kept them in my right ear for about half an hour at the lowest volume possible.

Is this bad the right ear has started or is it also because it's the infection getting worse before it starts recovering as I have only had it for about a week?

 

I now have it in my right ear as well as the left. I had to use my headphones today for work, but only kept them in my right ear for about half an hour at the lowest volume possible.

Is this bad the right ear has started or is it also because it's the infection getting worse before it starts recovering as I have only had it for about a week?

 

IMHO: If this is truly an infection, then it is all related and you have to give it sometime to get better. Please do not use the headphones at all. If you need to mask try sound machines or fans. It is important that you take care of your ears as they are delicate at the moment. Stay away from loud noises until you get better ok.

I hope you are sleeping well. I'll pray for you.
Once

 

Thank you
Regards to sleeping, I have a over sensitivity to light and sound, so the Tinnitus is actually worse for me as I hear it easily. What is the best way to not hear the noise when trying to get to sleep because I hear it very easily and struggle to keep my mind off it. I find wearing my ear plugs somehow make the sound better but I'm not sure?

 

I have this sound machine: https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Relaxing-Soothing-Charging-Auto-Off/dp/B00A2JBMRE
Walmart also sells it.
You can try a fan, a fish tank with the waterfall sound, an air purifier, air conditioner, air humidifier. All of these have a gentle soothing background noise that may help you mask the ringing. There are also many videos on Youtube that are great for masking. Search for tinnitus masking sounds and find one that may help.

You can also try SleepyTime tea, a hot bath before bedtime and just watching a movie that you enjoy (low volume of course) to help you get your mind of it. You will get better soon, try to relax ok.

But please, stay away from the headphones. ok?!

Give it some time, you'll get better soon.
Once

 

Thanks and dont worry, i have quit the headphones

 

I had experienced severe tinnitus twice in my life when I was a kid from otitis and it went away completely each time with antibiotics and antibiotic ear drops.

 

I was wondering why @TinH didnt get any antibiotics?

 

Should I only get them if my Tinnitus continues after 3 weeks?

 

You do not get antibiotics to treat your tinnitus. You get antibiotics to treat bacterial infection.
I just read your first post again, you said you have a viral infection, that's why you didnt get antibiotics.

How are you feeling today? Any better?
Once

 

Luckily, the Tinnitus feels more quiet which is better, does that mean its starting to improve?

 

That's great news! Hopefully yes. Don't dare use the headphones and mess it up now! Be nice to your ears...no loud noises for a long time. Glad is getting better for you.
Once

 

I use my headphones when Im on the computer for like 2 mins only when I need to in one ear at a VERY low volume and wouldn't even average 10 mins of use, is this ok?

 

I think I am in the minority here, but I like the earplugs when sleeping. While after insertion, the earplugs make the T more noticeable, after a few minutes it down regulates it for me. I also find that I get a much better night's sleep overall.

I prefer the foam ones for sleeping, and ones that dont stick out too far as I am a side sleeper. For sleeping when I need to hear the alarm in the morning, I wear the musician plugs, which also help to blunt the loud noises so I can sleep through the night.

 

can someone help me

 

I'm 14 . I did have an ear infection. before I had an ear infection though I always would listen to my music on a high volume everywhere I went for months before the infection. on Monday the 7th of January I was watching a series on my computer and a song on there triggered my left ear to ring constantly. I was panicking and crying because I was worried that I have permanent tinnitus because my dad told me about it and my music that id listen to would be so loud that my cousin from across the room could hear it even though I had earphones in. I went to a surgery near me and I was seen by a nurse. she checked my ears and said in the left ear I have an ear infection. she said it was inflamed or something and red inside something to do with my ear drum I cant remember . so she gave me steroid spray called otomize and ibuprofen tablets. the ringing was bearable and I didn't mind it but then something happened at home so I panicked a lot and got really stressed and cried and then ever since the ringing was got unbearable. constantly never ending in my left ear high pitched ringing/whistling. I havent had any ear ache only the odd one now and then that lasts like 10 seconds in my right ear not left. my jaw has been hurting only a tiny bit and my teeth are hurting only for a few seconds but the pain isn't aw. on a scale of 1-10 the ear pain is 2 and the jaw and teeth is a 3. the ringing has made me so worried and depressed. I'm crying non stop because I'm starting to think this is permanent(the ringing). ive been up all night shaking with no sleep. the noise is that bad I cant even close my eyes or nap. my dad said give it time it will go away. I went to the surgery again today since all ive been doing all week is crying and stressing. I finished the medication I was given(the spray and tablets). I had a different nurse this time. she checked my ear and said the infection has cleared up and its gone. so then she did a hearing test with this metal thing where she hit it off her desk and put it by my ears to see which noise was better and she put it between my eyebrows in the middle. she said my hearing is fine too. I said im worried I may have permanent tinnitus but she just burst out laughing and said I'm too young to get tinnitus.she didn't give me any medication and said if its still ringing in a week come back and we will have to sort some things out and do tests. The ringing is getting more frustrating and unbearable and I'm starting to panic because ive seen on google and even my dad said yes that there is people who have been left with tinnitus permanently because of an ear infection even after its cleared up. I cant stop shaking and worrying and crying and my parents are trying o sugar coat it saying it will go and its not life threatening but I know they are lying just so i will shut up. my dad said my stress is making it worse. but of course I am going to stress. ive had suicidal thoughts because of this too. no one understands and my dad keeps telling e to go to sleep BUT I CANT!!! he said I wont have tinnitus because tinnitus is caused by drilling and it is caused over a few years not a short amount of time. ive been off school for a we. ive had the ringing for a week and 1 day now. I want to hear silence again. I want to go back to normal. I'm a nervous wreck at the moment. I cant live with tinnitus if I do have it. theres no cure. I need help asap. I don't know what to do!!is the ringing caused by the ear infection I had or the loud music. btw I haven't used my earphones since the ringing started. apart from I did use headphones on a low volume for 3 mins music but that's it. pray for me pls that it will go away. I'm scared!

 

Hi, Niamh,

It's not rare for people to get scared when they experience tinnitus for the first time. But you've only had it for a week. There's a very real chance that it will go away or get lower.

Dealing with T is tough, but it's not impossible. I understand how you feel, because I've been on a similiar place, but this condition didn't break me and it won't break you.

 

Hello
I really don't want it to be permanent . I'm only 14.i don't want to have to have this noise 24 7. I don't know if it will go.