Hi all,
I wanted to post an update here because I'm dealing with extreme hyperacusis, which my doctor has labelled as otitis.
This started in February this year. I caught a virus and developed intense tinnitus. I tried to push through it, but it became extremely painful. The tinnitus eased slightly after about 2 months following a course of oral antibiotics.
In August, I was swimming and ended up with a double ear infection again, this time lasting 6 weeks. It was extremely debilitating. What helped the most were ear drops that contained Dexamethasone with acetic acid. I cannot recommend this for everyone, but for me they rapidly eased the ear swelling and the tinnitus that came with it.
Fast forward to November and the double ear infection returned, again with intense tinnitus. I now cannot get any water in my ears for months and I cannot use headphones at all. I have just recovered with a nasal antibiotic that I'd personally recommend, as it also cleared my Eustachian tubes.
These treatments helped me, but there are still difficulties. Things worsen when I use in-ear earplugs, because they make my ears sensitive again and I feel extreme pain.
This is where I'm at. I'm also taking regular supplements, getting sun exposure whenever possible, and exercising, since I find that encouraging circulation in the ears leads to improvements in tinnitus.
These are the tactics I wanted to share. It has been hell. I still go out and wear strong ear protection rated at about 35 dB in clubs, and I avoid speakers, but I'm interested to hear what others have experienced and whether these tactics help, as well as any links others have noticed between infections and tinnitus.
Thanks,
Jake
I wanted to post an update here because I'm dealing with extreme hyperacusis, which my doctor has labelled as otitis.
This started in February this year. I caught a virus and developed intense tinnitus. I tried to push through it, but it became extremely painful. The tinnitus eased slightly after about 2 months following a course of oral antibiotics.
In August, I was swimming and ended up with a double ear infection again, this time lasting 6 weeks. It was extremely debilitating. What helped the most were ear drops that contained Dexamethasone with acetic acid. I cannot recommend this for everyone, but for me they rapidly eased the ear swelling and the tinnitus that came with it.
Fast forward to November and the double ear infection returned, again with intense tinnitus. I now cannot get any water in my ears for months and I cannot use headphones at all. I have just recovered with a nasal antibiotic that I'd personally recommend, as it also cleared my Eustachian tubes.
These treatments helped me, but there are still difficulties. Things worsen when I use in-ear earplugs, because they make my ears sensitive again and I feel extreme pain.
This is where I'm at. I'm also taking regular supplements, getting sun exposure whenever possible, and exercising, since I find that encouraging circulation in the ears leads to improvements in tinnitus.
These are the tactics I wanted to share. It has been hell. I still go out and wear strong ear protection rated at about 35 dB in clubs, and I avoid speakers, but I'm interested to hear what others have experienced and whether these tactics help, as well as any links others have noticed between infections and tinnitus.
Thanks,
Jake
