My Tinnitus Keeps Switching Ears: Does It Mean My Tinnitus Could Be Temporary?

I have had tinnitus since November 3rd when I was extremely stressed and suffering from lack of sleep. Usually its in just one ear at a time but sometimes both. And at times it is gone in both ears.

I took Amoxicillin from October 13th - 23rd for infections in both ears.

I was taking NSAIDs (Ibuprofen or Naproxen) for about 10 months before the first tinnitus incident. (I stopped as soon as I found out they could damage my hearing).

The tinnitus changes loudness and pitch if I turn my head, clench my jaw, or even if I stick out my tongue. I have chronic neck pain and at times it is really bad. Also my jaw hurts.

Anyway, my question is: Does the fact that my tinnitus switches ears mean that it is most likely temporary or permanent?

 

I don't think that it's possible to predict whether it's going to be permanent or temporary. You are early in, it might go either way. Having said that, mine which was fluctuating a lot, switching ears, changing volume, pitch, characteristics ended up staying, but stabilized after some months.

 

Is it easier to ignore now that it has stabilized?

 

Yes, it is. Unfortunately still changes in volume, it's reactive to loud-ish noises, but other than that it's better.
(I have two other tones, but those are a whole different story.)

 

Thats good.

It seems that the more you try to fight it, the worse it gets.

I have noticed that people tend to post on this forum for a few months or up to a couple of years and then no more. I guess that they either get used to it mostly or it goes away. But I know there are many exceptions.

 

Has it got any better? I am nearly 3 months in from fluid in the ear it has gone lower in tone but I am still worried as the doctor said there's no fluid left and my hearing is fine. However I feel like I can still feel the fluid.

 

I am only 24 days since beginning of tinnitus. Now I can go to sleep without background sound. I was prescribed Xanax and Remeron.

Worrying about it doesn't help. It may be with me for the rest of my life or it might not. I have accepted that.

 

It comes and goes. I find it's best for me to keep active. Usually when I do, after a while I notice complete silence (no tinnitus) and then carry on.

Whether I have the ringing in my ears is not up to me or anyone else. It just happens, or doesn't. I'm OK either way now.

 

If it comes and goes, I'm sure that's a sign of healing.

 

Maybe so. My tinnitus took the day off today for the first time since I got it on November 3rd.

My tinnitus came on during a time of extremely high stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep 3 1/2 weeks ago. I think those things triggered it.

Xanax, Remeron, and some improving life circumstances have put it to rest mostly. And yesterday I was informed that my 96 year old mom tested negative for COVID-19. She is in a long term care facility which had a recent COVID-19 outbreak.

Also I had been taking the maximum dose of Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium for 10 months. I stopped taking those. In addition, I cut my dose of Lexapro (an SSRI) from 20 to 10 mg daily.

I took the 'try everything at once' approach to reducing/eliminating tinnitus. My plan is to stay on the same plan for a while.

If I manage to have minimal or no tinnitus for a while then my first goal will be to back off of the Xanax VERY slowly.But I will never take another Ibuprofen or Naproxen again! And I will do everything I can to not get in a mental rut like I was in around Nov. 3rd.

It is also quite possible that tinnitus will come back. Hopefully not, but if it does at least I know that it may take a day off every now and then! One day at a time...

 

It's back in my left ear. Sometimes its in one ear or the other and sometimes it seems like its a buzzing electrical sound in my head.