Tinnitus with Fullness in Both Ears

Hi All,

Sorry a bit of a long one . . .

I've had 'quiet' tinnitus for a number of years where I couldn't even hear it unless I searched for it. Since around the end of September this year, due to various stresses, Mr T increased volume slightly but not loud enough for it to bother me. I thought I had control of what was stressing me but at the end of November I think my brain had had enough. The volume of the ringing is so much worse. In fact, there are two noises – one’s a ringing in my left ear and one’s a sort of white noise on the top of my head/brain.

To add as well, both of my ears feel like there’s pressure in there but the NP (see below) has said there’s no wax/outer ear infection. I’ve also had a sore part of my left ear – the bit on the opposite side of the tragus (I think it’s called the concha) – for the last 4 days. I’ve had this pain before, but it’s usually gone within a day. And over the last day, Mr T’s pitch has changed – it’s gone much higher.

I went to see a Nurse Practitioner (NP) at the start of this week and he said he’d call me back the day after when he’d spoken to the GP surgery’s in house audiologist. Lo and behold, he never did. I’ve made an appointment to see a GP and the nearest I can be seen is the 21st December. I’m hoping I’ll be able to stand my ground and ask to be referred to ENT or tinnitus specialist at my local hospital. I know they won’t be able to ‘cure’ Mr T but at least they may be able to let me know what’s causing it if anything. I’ve also booked myself in for a free NHS hearing test for a weeks time.

Is there any advice anyone can give me please to help habituate/ignore the ringing, especially during quiet times – bedtime, etc? I’m currently trying Sudafed, a magnesium supplement and ibuprofen. I’m also intermittently listening to nature sounds (rain drops, waterfalls, etc) when the ringing is obvious so as to try and zone out from it.

Also, does anyone else have the fullness/pressure in both of their ears?

 

Ibuprophen is ototoxic. It might have caused your T to get louder.

http://hlaa-sbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Ototoxic_Brochure.pdf

http://www.ata.org/sites/default/files/Drugs Associated with Tinnitus 2013_Updated2017.pdf

Ear fullness is a sign that your ears are hurt. It ought to eventually disappear.

Search this site using amitriptyline as a keyword. It can help you sleep. It is non-addictive and it doesn't make you feel drowsy the next day.

 

Oh wow really. I'll stop taking the ibuprofen then. I'll keep note of the links you've attached aswell - they're a massive help.

I'll look in to the amitriptyline aswell.

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.

 

The best advice I can give you is that most hearing loss test are not accurate,

Hearing loss in background noise (such as music) and super high frequencies are not tested.

http://hyperacusisfocus.org/innerear/


https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378595516302507


Moving on the ear fullness may be a sign of hyperacusis defined as "noise induced pain"


Do you also notice your ears feel warm, burning or numb? Please rest your ears and see if you can get a steroid , and take magnesium and b-12 that may help slightly improve your issues.

 

Hi, sorry for the delayed response.
That's interesting about the hearing loss test, I'll certainly bear it in mind.

The pain on my ear has gone now so maybe that's not a big issue for me to rectify at the moment. My ears don't actually feel anything other than 'blocked'. And I'm sure as my brain is trying so hard to create this ringing, it's exhausting it. I'm constantly tired no matter how much or little sleep I get. I've been taking a multivitamin with iron and magnesium last week so fingers crossed that will help and I'll try and and find some B12 aswell.