Ear, Nose & Throat Community

Well, I do have long term tinnitus, so I hope you do not have to travel down that road.

Allergies are a distinct possibility in your case, so time will give you the answer. Allergies are complex and it can be a while before you experience control. Your fluticasone is a good choice, but I caution you against long term use of Afrin.

The eustachian tube is very small, and subject to being compromised by many different reasons, but inflammation (from allergies) is high on that list. I don't have enough information about your case to know if tubes are indicated, but give your allergy management a chance first. Tubes can help in certain cases, but may create other annoying symptoms. Be patient.

Dr. Moser, Thank you for your prompt, and helpful reply. I also get a distinct "crack" in the tinnitus ear when I swallow. Does this and the Afrin experience put me more in the tinnitus with a ETD etiology? I will continue the Fluticasone of course, should I also continue to pop my ears upon application to push the medication into my tube? Thanks again, I appreciate your humanistic approach, Steve

I don't really think you are pushing the medication into your tubes, Steve, but it is okay to gently pop your ears if this is what your doctor recommended.

Yes, ETD could be your issue, but there could still be other factors at play, so keep working with your doctor.

Dr. Moser, Does the fact that my affected ear "cracks" when swallowing mean that the ET is equalizing pressure effectively with my inner ear? If this is the case could you say that ETD is probably not the cause of my tinnitus? Also with my tinnitus is EDT the only reason to take the Fluticasone? Thank you for your attention, Steve

The Eustachian tubes equalize pressure in the MIDDLE ear, not the inner ear. The fact that your ear cracks when you swallow does not vindicate the e-tubes or the middle ear as a possible source of your tinnitus. Your fluticasone is for the e-tubes and middle ear. It would have no effect on tinnitus originating in the inner ear or brain.

I, too, have Tinnitus--primarily in the right ear. This high-pitched ringing is constant, very loud, and causes extreme nervousness. My ear feels congested, and my right nasal passage is always blocked. I'm thinking my allergies may be the cause. I have been to two ENT physicians in the past six months, (when it appeared), and was told just to live with it. This plague interferes with my concentration, focus and peace of mind. Can someone please help me??

I have tinnitus, too....for well over ten years now. Sadly, there is little that can be done. Your theory that allergies are the underlying culprit may or may not be valid, but finding the one cause (or many) is extremely difficult. Many ENTs just do not want to deal with something they cannot "fix".

Try and see a neuro-otologist, or an ENT that specializes in tinnitus. Many large, university hospitals have tinnitus clinics, so you may be able to benefit from a cadre of collaborative specialists. Even if you have to fly/drive to one of this facilities, you can benefit from a higher level evaluation.

While tinnitus may not be able to be cure (some can, however; depending on the cause), it can be treated. For an ENT to just say "live with it" is not something you should consider at this point. Yes, like me, you may need to live with it, but it does not mean that you cannot try various treatment modalities that may help you cope...and deal with psychological responses you are experiencing.

Dr. Moser,

Thank you SO much for responding to my post. I would certainly try your suggestions, however, cannot afford to do anything. I am on Medicare and looking for work. I have been to a support group in the area, but it meets very infrequently due to low turnout.

Your kindness is greatly appreciated!!

Sincerely,

Susan

Most large, university-based medical centers have ENT departments, and all of them will accept Medicare. See if you can find one and get a future appointment. In the meantime, ask your medical provider or that last ENT for some medication to help you COPE with the tinnitus. These medications will not cure anything, of course, but they will certainly help.

Keep me posted, please...

Dr. Moser,

First of all, thank you for your help. I find your posts very helpful.

I also have recently developed tinnitus. It is more prevalent in my right ear but also slightly in the left. I also get popping and changes in pressure throughout the day, as well as the 'cracking' when I swallow. I also developed other systems similar to allergy, including constant white mucous drainage in my throat and coughing up blockage from my sinuses in the morning. I have pressure and headaches frequently, as well as dizziness, confusion, vision problems. Like others on here, the tinnitus is really distressing, especially when trying to get a good nights rest.

I have recently been seeing an ENT who attributed to allergies, and I tested positive for multiple environmental allergies after subdermal testing. I seemingly developed these allergies after moving into a new apartment about a year ago, and my ENT seems to think thats the main factor. I also thought that smoking may be a culprit as I used to smoke, but I have since quit and the symptoms remain.

I am signed up to begin immunotherapy for my allergies soon in hopes to rid these annoying symptoms. I just wanted to get your thoughts on this before I commit myself to this since it is such a long and expensive process. Do you think this could cure my tinnitus and other symptoms?

Again, thank you so much for your responsiveness.

Allergies are certainly listed among the possibles causes and contributing factors when a person has tinnitus, but the only way that you will know if immunotherapy will help is to try it. Allegies and tinnitus share the commonality of a condition that is rarely cured, but can be effectively treated. Because your tinnitus does have a correlation with your allergies,immunotherapy may be money well spent, but again, expect an miraculous cure may be too optimistic.
Since I have tinnitus myself, I have to say that I have long given up any chance that I will be cured. My focus is more on coping, and most of the time, I am able to do this without medication. I simply stay busy.
Sadly, medical science has very little to offer tinnitus sufferers, so if allergies are felt to be a main contributing factor in your case, then all efforts to the control them would seem to be the way to go. Besides, allergies can be as miserable at tinnitus!