Encouragement for Tinnitus Sufferers — My Tinnitus Is Now Hardly Noticeable

Hello,

This is my first time in a chat room. I had a very traumatic experience with tinnitus and started researching and stumbled across this forum. I was so scared and discouraged by what I read on the internet and told myself if I got better I would share to encourage others that tinnitus definitely can get better if not go away completely.

Here’s my story:
Starting in late September 2019 I felt under the weather and had head pressure and my teeth were aching.

I went to the dentist and they ruled out any infection. I started to feel tired and just not well over all.

I went to urgent care and was given antibiotics (doxycycline) for a sinus infection. Towards the end of that my left ear started to feel plugged and I felt I was getting worse. I went back to urgent care and they cleaned out my ear for a wax blockage. They said my ear was irritated and inflamed but no infection. The Dr cleared me to fly so I went on a trip to help my dad with his cancer treatment. On the night I returned I woke up with tinnitus both in my left ear and the middle of my head.

The next day I went to the Dr and was given steroids. The ringing seemed to go away but I felt worse and worse. Bad sinus pressure, headaches, ears and whole head felt inflamed. I was so tired I could hardly get out of bed. I had a hard time concentrating and was really sensitive to loud noise. I finished the steroids and felt worse than ever.

I awoke in the night to hear a strange sound that I thought was my son's Xbox. I ran outside bare foot and realized it was in my head. I felt like a caged animal and freaked out. From that night on the tinnitus was constant.

I went to a couple of ENTs who didn’t really do much. I found a naturopathic Dr who gave me supplements to help me clear what we thought was a virus. I also saw a specialist dentist who made a night guard so I wouldn’t clench my teeth, but I really don’t think that was the root cause.

So this story has much more but very very slowly I started to get my energy back and one symptom maybe every week or two would clear up or get better.

My left ear is still plugged over 3 months later, BUT I have hardly heard any ringing for about a week now and it’s hardly noticeable. My gut tells me I had a nasty virus that attacked my inner ear. I have heard that many times it can clear up on its own and I feel I am on the road to recovery.

Don’t give up hope. Mine was very loud at times to where I couldn’t sleep without melatonin and white noise. I sleep no problem now and it hardly bothers me. My advice if you have these symptoms: Rest, lots of it, water, zinc, and tumeric and fish oil for inflammation. I also think stress can make it worse, so try not to think of all the what if’s.

 

Thank you for sharing x

 

One theory for my T is also a virus that attacked my left ear. This is where I have some minor (-20db in upper frequencies 8khz+) hearing loss. But they told me once the damage is done, the hearing is gone for good, so not sure why yours would clear up so fast if it was indeed damage done by a virus.

Either way I am happy for you. I'm 10 months in now and is worse than ever.

EDIT: You were given steroids and none of the doctors I saw gave me any. That is probably what saved you.

 

I kept being told it was “allergies” but I have been never that sick from allergies. I am pretty sure it was a virus and maybe allergies are contributing to it. My left ear is still plugged which is really frustrating and I still get tired. I have some ringing but it’s way better and only on that side. I feel like if my ear would unclog it might fully go away. They did a hearing test on me and said it was great. Maybe I don’t have hearing damage, but the inflammation or swelling that is causing my ear to be plugged is causing it? I feel like everything with this has been an extremely slow recovery process. Was your ear plugged for a time? I’m sorry you are going through this.

 

Hi @Violet1982

Tour symptoms sound similar to mine

I first presented with a blocked left ear and slight imbalance, sent to Audiologists first and no hearing loss, went through BUPA for ENT consultant again nothing specific ( she thought b12 deficiency and acid reflux) was told it will take time to clear,
Since then my ear has blocked and then unblocked although much better and my ETs pop every time I swallow/ yawn etc especially in the left which is my ‘ bad’ ear, used to have sinus pressure that went all the way to the back of my head and across my left ear although that seems to have subsided thank goddess

There are some great videos on YouTube that shows exercises for ETD which were really helpful

Anyway moral of the story is it does get better with time xx

Denise

 

So Happy For you!!! Did you only have it in one ear or both at first? And did you deal with Spikes? I’ve had “T” for 10 months now (Not sure What caused it) But it seems my left ear always buzzes and if I get a spike that last like 2 to 3 days it will be in both ears and my head... ughhh those days really suck. But I am having better days that I barely notice my T but it only last a couple of days then the spike again.

Also I have TMJ, Had a horrible sinus and ear infection a week before T started and I clench my teeth Bad.

 

That is great news! Glad you are feeling better.
Do take extra care of your ears from now on.
And, thanx for sharing your story.

Once

 

@Virginia girl
The first couple of months my left ear had a steady buzz that was always there and also a noise in the middle of my head that would come and go. I did have spikes like 2 days on 2 days off. I would say now a “loud” day is a notch or two above my old quiet days. And “quiet” days I can barely hear it if at all. I rarely hear the noise in the middle of my head. I haven’t had it in my right ear.

 

@Violet1982 Yes that’s exactly like my story except on spikes it’s both ears and head. I am glad to be having better days but I still am on this never ending cycle of 2 days good and 2 to 3 days bad. I do have days that I forget I have T and then I’m like oh ok I can hear it but it’s very low. And for some odd reason if I take a nap when I wake up I have a spike... that is confusing. I’m trying the calming methods and Neuroplasticity “retrain your brain” praying it goes away. But I’m and so happy for you! I hope you wake one day and it’s completely gone. ..... what methods did you try?

 

@Virginia girl
I didn’t do a whole lot really. I tried to keep positive as much as one can. This girl helped me a lot

How I Live With Tinnitus

Her name is Isobel Anderson. I took a lot of supplements but that was mostly focused on getting over whatever sickness I had.