Blocked Ears and Lingering Tinnitus After Flight with Nasal Congestion

[tina cori]

Hi everyone,

Six weeks ago, I took a flight while I was already sick with nasal congestion. Since that day, I have felt my ears blocked and have had constant tinnitus. Over time, it has been improving, and now I only hear a very low tinnitus.

I went to my GP, who examined my ears and said they look fine. I have never experienced pain, dizziness, bleeding, or anything like that. I know ears can take time to recover, but I am not sure if I should see an ENT or just wait a bit longer.

Has anyone experienced something similar?

Thanks!

 

[Sonia554]

How are you doing, @tina cori?

 

[tina cori]

How are you doing, @tina cori?

I am doing much better, though I still have very low tinnitus. I hope it fades away over time.

 

[Sonia554]

I am doing much better, though I still have very low tinnitus. I hope it fades away over time.

I'm sure it will! It sounds like you just had a temporary stress. I wouldn't bother with an ENT. They'll give you a hearing test, tell you you're fine, and then send you on your way. They're often very dismissive with tinnitus patients.

 

[henkess]

Happened to me too, but it gets better quickly for me.

 

[Cirq]

@tina cori, welcome, glad you are doing better! In your initial post, you mentioned bleeding. What kind of bleeding was it?

I have loud tinnitus that I've gotten used to, though I still get a nosebleed on the left side about every two months. It usually goes on for a while, and I need about five cotton balls to soak up the blood until it stops. I mentioned it to my doctor, but he never referred me anywhere. I'm pretty sure blood and stress are interconnected with my tinnitus.

Before my tinnitus started, I thought I had pink eye, but it turned out to be blood in my eye. They didn't find anything on the MRI. Thanks!

 

[tina cori]

@tina cori, welcome, glad you are doing better! In your initial post, you mentioned bleeding. What kind of bleeding was it?

I have loud tinnitus that I've gotten used to, though I still get a nosebleed on the left side about every two months. It usually goes on for a while, and I need about five cotton balls to soak up the blood until it stops. I mentioned it to my doctor, but he never referred me anywhere. I'm pretty sure blood and stress are interconnected with my tinnitus.

Before my tinnitus started, I thought I had pink eye, but it turned out to be blood in my eye. They didn't find anything on the MRI. Thanks!

I have never had bleeding. I only experienced blocked ears and tinnitus. If you have any other symptoms besides those, I would recommend that you go to the doctor.

Happened to me too, but it gets better quickly for me.

Do you remember how long it took you to fully recover?

I'm sure it will! It sounds like you just had a temporary stress. I wouldn't bother with an ENT. They'll give you a hearing test, tell you you're fine, and then send you on your way. They're often very dismissive with tinnitus patients.

Yes, that's true. My tinnitus actually appeared because of barotrauma. Since it was caused by a physical issue, it should be temporary. I imagine it may take a few months, but it should fade away over time.

 

[henkess]

I have never had bleeding. I only experienced blocked ears and tinnitus. If you have any other symptoms besides those, I would recommend that you go to the doctor.

Do you remember how long it took you to fully recover?

Yes, that's true. My tinnitus actually appeared because of barotrauma. Since it was caused by a physical issue, it should be temporary. I imagine it may take a few months, but it should fade away over time.

It took me three to four months.