Going to ENT — Mild Ringing/Sinus Infection — What Should I Ask the Doctor? Any Precautions to Take?

Going to the ENT for mild ear ringing in my left ear, and I have a sinus infection. Ringing has only been about 1 week so far, sinus infection for months. I see some people get issues when they remove wax, etc so I want to be careful.

Anything I shouldn't let the ENT do? Or something I should ask him? You guys probably have a lot more experience then me. Should I mention ETD or will he look at me like I'm an idiot? Thanks!!

 

My opinion is to avoid tympanometry and microsuction like the plague.

 

Do you have a history of over exposure to loud noise?

If so tell them...

 

I have got an ENT appointment booked for mid December (the earliest I could get) and also need to beware of anything that could make tinnitus worse - I think I could also have a sinus issue as about 2 years I mostly lost my sense of smell (anosmia), and also had sinus pain when descending in a plane - If I use a nasal spray my sense of smell comes back but only if I keep using the spray so I think sinus problems might be affecting me ears.

 

@Joshua12345

Your ears and auditory system need to be examined thoroughly if you want to try and find the cause of the tinnitus. Let the ENT doctor do his/her job. They know about the anatomy of the Ear, Nose, Throat. This is their area of expertise. My advice is not to listen to people that tell you don't let the doctor do this or that. They are professionals, it's not your place to be giving them instructions as such, unless you are feeling discomfort whilst being examined or answering questions.

Earwax removal by Microsuction or Ear irrigation carries no more risk then any other medical procedure. However, proper preparation to limit any risk should be carried out prior to having the wax removed. Apply eardrops/olive oil to each ear 3x a day for 10 days then have the wax removed. There are people that do not use eardrops for the duration that I have mentioned and some develop problems and some don't. I advise you to follow my advice.

Please click on the link below and read my article: Tinnitus, A Personal View. It will explain what usually happens when a tinnitus patient visits ENT for the first time. This is the procedure in the UK.

Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

If I have wax in my ear and he thinks that's the reason, how else would I get rid of it? Instead of microsuction?

 

Nope I don't. That's why I'm sort of hoping it can be resolved, since the hearing is fine! Just ringing and fullness in that one ear

 

Manual removal.
You are certainly free to make your choice and I'm just some dork on the internet, but I say don't risk it.

 

I have had microsuction 3 times ear irrigation 3 times never had a problem. Do not get caught up in panic and fear.

Michael

 

Hey, I would avoid ear irrigation! I ended up suffering an acoustic trauma from it two weeks ago, although there's no present of tinnitus in my affected ear (it actually kind of reduced after the irrigation), I now have issues with volume and pain in that area. Mine could have been anxiety related and I'm hoping it improves over time. Just be careful.

 

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but is manual removal something the ENT would do, or would I manually do it at home? And if it's me, how would I do it? Thanks again!

 

I'm not really sure. I think that is something the ENT can do.

 

It could be ETD. I had it, and I used an Otovent for about 3 weeks and the plugged feeling went. And guess what? The tinnitus went too, and I heard silence. However, instead of rejoicing I became stressed thinking that it wouldn't last, and it didn't. The tinnitus migrated to my other ear, and then after a while it migrated back to the original ear. So I had it in both ears.

Are you sure it's a wax problem? I've become very wary of all doctors and medical professionals as they may well have directly led to my tinnitus and it's worsening. I would get 'someone' to look in the ear without trying to remove anything first. A gentle person.

 

I'm not sure it's ETD. I feel like it's sinus, but when I shower my sinus symptoms go away for a bit, but the ear was still ringing that time. So I'm really not sure.

On one end, I want the ENT to figure it out and offer a solution. On another end, I'm worried any solution the ENT has (ear wax, antibiotics, etc.) could make it worse

 

Have you had ETD before?

Yeah, i'd be very careful. Keep away from medication if you can.

You've got to do something though it seems. It really is your call.

 

The first ENT I went to said I had a sinus infection, and that my ear stuff would clear up once I fix that. She prescribed "Augmentin875". Not a huge fan of antibiotics. She also didn't use an endoscope to check my nose, just sprayed something and quickly looked up. So I'm going to a new one soon but they might prescribe me the same thing