Tinnitus After Freediving Barotrauma — Looking for Advice, Reassurance, or Shared Experiences

[divingears]

Hi everyone,

I'm really hoping someone here can help or share their experience. Around 6 days ago, I took part in a freediving course and struggled to equalise properly during a descent to 4m. I felt strong pressure in my left ear and surfaced when I felt the pain, and tried again, stupidly. But since then I've been dealing with:

• Constant high-pitched tinnitus in my left ear
• A muffled, blocked sensation
• Sound sensitivity (deep/loud sounds cause pain)
• Occasional stabbing pain in the ear
• Some dizziness, unsteadiness, and nausea
• Ongoing anxiety and sleep issues from the tinnitus

I've seen a GP who said the eardrum looked intact but under pressure, and I've spoken with a diving specialist who believes I've stretched the tympanic membrane and possibly strained the ossicles. He said the tinnitus may be from the inner ear "like a piano key that got stuck", and may release itself in time. I am trying to get an ENT to see me but I keep going told I just need to wait for it to heal.

I've been told recovery could take 3–6 weeks, but that if the tinnitus doesn't improve in 3 weeks, it could become permanent. That terrified me. I've felt emotionally broken by this, I've cried every day, struggled to sleep, and even had my first panic attack trying to go to A&E.

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Here's what I'm doing so far:

• Beconase nasal spray (to relieve pressure and inflammation)
• Supplements on order:
  • Omega-3
  • Magnesium glycinate
  • Vitamin B12
  • Ginkgo Biloba (30,000mg extract)
  • Ashwagandha
  • L-Theanine with lemon balm
  • I'm not currently exercising or swimming. I've paused workouts, horse riding, and Muay Thai until I'm more stable.

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My questions:

• Has anyone here experienced tinnitus after barotrauma or failed equalisation?
• Did it improve, even after 2–3+ weeks? If so, how long did it take?
• Is there anything else you did that helped?
• Have any of you tried corticosteroids for this kind of injury and had results?
• Do you think I'm on the right track, or is there something I might be missing?

I'm doing everything I can, physically and emotionally, but I still feel terrified that the tinnitus is here to stay. I used to find so much peace in silence, and now it feels like that's been stolen from me. I'd be so grateful for any advice, shared experiences, or support.