I'm Here, and I Have Tinnitus

I had a bad cold in early Oct 2015. Went right into my sinuses and both ears immediately. Developed bronchitis as well as sinus and ear infections. I was on 2 different antibiotics, ear drops for pain, Flonase nasal spray, and 2 courses of Prednisone. Asthma inhalers also. After 6 weeks of these various meds, most symptoms subsided. But tinnitus started within a few days of the cold, and has never stopped.

The left ear is a shrill, high-pitched constant ring, and the right ear is a high-pitched morse-code type sound. It is extremely loud, and disruptive.

I saw an ENT this week. I've been put on Prednisone 40 mg for 10 days again (3rd course of prednisone to date). I've been told to also take Sudafed daily, which I am.

Per the ENT: hearing loss in the left ear, no visible fluid seen any longer. Eustachian tube dysfunction from illness.

So far, on the new prednisone dose and sudafed, there has been no improvement.
I'm trying to cope, but it seems like there is no end in sight for this horrible tinnitus. I know many of you here have dealt with this for years on end, so I feel bad complaining about dealing with it for a little over 3 months now.

I have difficulty hearing people now, as the loud ringing blocks out people's voices. That, and the hearing loss in my left ear from this debacle. I had what seemed to be super-human hearing prior to this happening.

I'm glad I found a place where others understand this condition and how it affects a person because no one around me gets it.

 

Hi @Samantha8
I have had T for about 10 months, so can't advise you too much, but know exactly how you feel. There are many wise experienced people on here who will definitely support you through this journey. Their advice how the brain will filter out and start to neither focus on it, nor see T as a threat has helped me lots.
In the meantime check out the success and positivity stories, they certainly show how there's light at the end of the tunnel. Although it takes time, also try https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/back-to-silence.7172 Best wishes Phil

 

Welcome to the forum!

This is very similar to what happened to my colleague - he had a virus that went to his ear and had quite severe ringing afterwards and hearing loss in that ear.

His tinnitus faded quite a lot within that year - still has a little bit of it but seldom notices it. Unfortunately he has not regained full hearing again in that ear. He still seems to be able to socialise OK and seems very happy. I don't notice poor hearing when talking to him.