Concern About Using Ofloxacin Eardrops for Outer Ear Infection and Possible Impact on Tinnitus

[Dreamer]

Hello everyone,

This week, I developed a bacterial infection in my outer right ear due to excessive use of earplugs. I went to the doctor today, and he prescribed Ofloxacin eardrops after assuring me they are not ototoxic, which a quick Google search also seems to confirm.

However, knowing how understudied ear health is in general, I am still hesitant to use them out of fear that they might worsen my tinnitus. Has anyone here used Ofloxacin eardrops, and if so, did they cause any change in your tinnitus?

Thank you,
Scarlett

 

[Louise 17]

Hello @Dreamer, I can't comment on that product, but I sometimes get outer ear infections because of small ear canals and limited airflow. I usually use EarCalm, an over-the-counter ear spray, to treat new bacterial infections before they get too bad. It's not known to be ototoxic.

Hopefully your infection clears up soon!

 

[Dreamer]

Hello @Dreamer, I can't comment on that product, but I sometimes get outer ear infections because of small ear canals and limited airflow. I usually use EarCalm, an over-the-counter ear spray, to treat new bacterial infections before they get too bad. It's not known to be ototoxic.

Hopefully your infection clears up soon!

I'll have to look into trying EarCalm! Thanks for the input!

 

[Dreamer]

I'd like to provide an update to this post.

I ended up using the Ofloxacin eardrops for three days to treat the infection in my right ear. I started on Saturday night and finished on Monday night. So far, I have not experienced any adverse effects—in fact, quite the opposite. The tinnitus spike I had from the infection has subsided, and I seem to have returned to my baseline. This is a huge relief, as I was worried the infection had triggered a new tone that might become permanent.

However, by the final day of using the drops, I noticed a hollow sensation in my right ear, which led me to stop the treatment before completing the five days recommended by my doctor. I messaged the clinic, and they said it was fine to stop early if my symptoms had cleared. I personally do not think antibiotics are something tinnitus sufferers should be using for an extended period.

I will update this thread if anything new comes up. I hope this can help someone someday.

Scarlett