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Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?
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ebl233 posted:
Hi, I am a 27 year old female and I have only had my tinnitus for over a week. I went to an ENT over 2 weeks ago to have my blocked ear (ear wax blocked) cleaned out. After cleaning my ears he said I had an infection and proceeded to prescribe me Cortisporin drops. I started the drops the following day on Tuesday. On Wednesday I developed a cold that I had caught from my 2 year old son. I continued the ear treatment until Friday when I noticed ringing in one ear (my left). I quickly looked up the causes for ringing and soon went into panic mode when I saw that Neomycin drops are considered ototoxic. I called the ENT dr the following day through the on-call service. He told me to stop the drops and come in on Monday and I did. I went in on Monday and he said that my right ear still had some ear wax blockage and i had trapped moisture from the drops so he cleaned it out. The ringing was still there. He told me it was probably due to my cold. To let things settle down and then come back and see him in a month if the ringing is still there... I further read up on Neomycin and ototoxicity and called him later that day. He said that it was not possible b/c he inspected that I did not have a perforated ear drum. That he suspects it is due to a virus and that I need to wait it out. At this point I don't know what to think and I am in panic mode. I can't sleep well at night even with music. My anxiety is going through the roof thinking that there is permanent damage..Is it still possible for ototoxic drops to go through the ear drum through microscopic holes that are missed? I did try to clear my left ear's wax with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide a few days prior to me going to the ENT. Could that effect my ear drum? I just want to rule out the possibility that the drops are the cause...I've never experienced any ringing like this is my life and have never had problems with my ears besides excessive wax that I would get clean out in my GP's office. This is the one time I chose to go to a specialist. I also still feel like there is some moisture left in my ears still...I've never had ringing from just a cold before and it seems just all too coincidental.
22 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?Hi, I am a 27 year old female and I have only had my tinnitus for over a week. I went to an ENT over 2 weeks ago to have my blocked ear (ear wax blocked) cleaned out. After cleaning my ears he said I had an infection and proceeded to prescribe me Cortisporin drops. I started the drops the following day on Tuesday. On Wednesday I developed a cold that I had caught from my 2 year old son. I continued the ear treatment until Friday when I noticed ringing in one ear (my left). I quickly looked up the causes for ringing and soon went into panic mode when I saw that Neomycin drops are considered ototoxic. I called the ENT dr the following day through the on-call service. He told me to stop the drops and come in on Monday and I did. I went in on Monday and he said that my right ear still had some ear wax blockage and i had trapped moisture from the drops so he cleaned it out. The ringing was still there. He told me it was probably due to my cold. To let things settle down and then come back and see him in a month if the ringing is still there... I further read up on Neomycin and ototoxicity and called him later that day. He said that it was not possible b/c he inspected that I did not have a perforated ear drum. That he suspects it is due to a virus and that I need to wait it out. At this point I don't know what to think and I am in panic mode. I can't sleep well at night even with music. My anxiety is going through the roof thinking that there is permanent damage..Is it still possible for ototoxic drops to go through the ear drum through microscopic holes that are missed? I did try to clear my left ear's wax with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide a few days prior to me going to the ENT. Could that effect my ear drum? I just want to rule out the possibility that the drops are the cause...I've never experienced any ringing like this is my life and have never had problems with my ears besides excessive wax that I would get clean out in my GP's office. This is the one time I chose to go to a specialist. I also still feel like there is some moisture left in my ears still...I've never had ringing from just a cold before and it seems just all too coincidental.
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
No...the trace amounts of neomycin in your ear drops are not ototoxic to the ear canal, and it would impossible for the neomycin to make it into your middle ear through an intact eardrum. It does not seep through "microscopic holes", so take that thought of ototoxicity out of your mind. When neomycin was given in large doses orally or by IV, it can be ototoxic, so even if your eardrum was perforated and the drops made it into you middle ear, the chance that it was be ototoxic would be extremely rare. I have never seen it, and I have had plenty of people using neomycin drops in eardrums that were ruptured.

Tinnitus can be caused by HUNDREDS of different things, but your cold is probably the number one suspect. The wax impaction, if lying against your eardrum, can do it, too. If that is the case, your tinnitus should eventually settle down and go away when the inflammation resolves, however, it would be impossible to predict outcome with any certainty.
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?No...the trace amounts of neomycin in your ear drops are not ototoxic to the ear canal, and it would impossible for the neomycin to make it into your middle ear through an intact eardrum. It does not seep through "microscopic holes", so take that thought of ototoxicity out of your mind. When neomycin was given in large doses orally or by IV, it can be ototoxic, so even if your eardrum was perforated and the drops made it into you middle ear, the chance that it was be ototoxic would be extremely rare. I have never seen it, and I have had plenty of people using neomycin drops in eardrums that were ruptured.<br /> <br />Tinnitus can be caused by HUNDREDS of different things, but your cold is probably the number one suspect. The wax impaction, if lying against your eardrum, can do it, too. If that is the case, your tinnitus should eventually settle down and go away when the inflammation resolves, however, it would be impossible to predict outcome with any certainty.
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ebl233 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Thank you for your response. I just finished going to another ENT Dr. They cleaned my ears out further as there was still wax. They also performed a hearing test and noted that my hearing is very sharp. So that's a good sign. I am feeling better and I notice the ringing has improved. I can only still hear it in a very quiet room now. They told me to relax and quit any caffeine (already did). I am hoping things continue to improve from here on out. Atleast my anxiety is not as high as it was.
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?Thank you for your response. I just finished going to another ENT Dr. They cleaned my ears out further as there was still wax. They also performed a hearing test and noted that my hearing is very sharp. So that's a good sign. I am feeling better and I notice the ringing has improved. I can only still hear it in a very quiet room now. They told me to relax and quit any caffeine (already did). I am hoping things continue to improve from here on out. Atleast my anxiety is not as high as it was.
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to ebl233's response:
Good work! Perhaps, just getting out the rest of that impacted wax will help in itself. Of course, time is the great healer overall.

Stop using Q-tips.
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?Good work! Perhaps, just getting out the rest of that impacted wax will help in itself. Of course, time is the great healer overall.<br /> <br />Stop using Q-tips.
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ebl233 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Definitely. I do notice now that when I swallow I hear a clicking sound that sounds loudest on my left side. It happens everytime I swallow. I'm not sure if this just started or I was not as aware of it before so I did not get to mention this to the ENT Dr. Does this go away in time also?
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?Definitely. I do notice now that when I swallow I hear a clicking sound that sounds loudest on my left side. It happens everytime I swallow. I'm not sure if this just started or I was not as aware of it before so I did not get to mention this to the ENT Dr. Does this go away in time also?
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to ebl233's response:
If the clicking wasn't there before, it just may be your Eustachian tubes. This should self-resolve as well.
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?If the clicking wasn't there before, it just may be your Eustachian tubes. This should self-resolve as well.
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ebl233 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Thank you again. I am noticing some more post-nasal drip last night and this morning. I do have allergies, but I don't currently take anything for it unless I have to. I visit my mom once a week and her house is what causes me to have the most reactions (she has 2 dogs). When I went last Sunday to her house, I noticed some intense pressure on the side of my forehead. Usually I get an itchy nose/eyes, experience sneezing..But this was the first time I experienced head pressure. Perhaps my sinuses/ Eustachian tubes are just full of mucus right now and need time to drain? Should I be taking an antihistamine to prevent further reactions?
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?Thank you again. I am noticing some more post-nasal drip last night and this morning. I do have allergies, but I don't currently take anything for it unless I have to. I visit my mom once a week and her house is what causes me to have the most reactions (she has 2 dogs). When I went last Sunday to her house, I noticed some intense pressure on the side of my forehead. Usually I get an itchy nose/eyes, experience sneezing..But this was the first time I experienced head pressure. Perhaps my sinuses/ Eustachian tubes are just full of mucus right now and need time to drain? Should I be taking an antihistamine to prevent further reactions?
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to ebl233's response:
Antihistamines are only part of the management of allergies. If your sinuses are, indeed, "full", then you may also benefit from a decongestant during the day hours....with an antihistamine at night.

If you were seen by an allergist, I would speculate that you would also be prescribed a nasal corticosteroid spray to reduce the inflammation in the nose and sinuses.
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?Antihistamines are only part of the management of allergies. If your sinuses are, indeed, "full", then you may also benefit from a decongestant during the day hours....with an antihistamine at night.<br /><br />If you were seen by an allergist, I would speculate that you would also be prescribed a nasal corticosteroid spray to reduce the inflammation in the nose and sinuses.
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ebl233 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
I was seen by an allergist about 2 years ago when I was living with my mom. They gave me an allergy test and it showed I was allergic to dust, dogs, and rabbits apparently, haha.. I had the most problems then, so that is when I was prescribed Singulair along with Veramyst nasal spray to control my allergies. Singulair had become too expensive for me so I took OTC meds instead after some time. Moving out of my mom's house greatly improved my condition so I stopped taking these drugs. Only taking as needed since. But I imagine that now with my issue after my cold, any allergic reactions would make things worse?
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?I was seen by an allergist about 2 years ago when I was living with my mom. They gave me an allergy test and it showed I was allergic to dust, dogs, and rabbits apparently, haha.. I had the most problems then, so that is when I was prescribed Singulair along with Veramyst nasal spray to control my allergies. Singulair had become too expensive for me so I took OTC meds instead after some time. Moving out of my mom's house greatly improved my condition so I stopped taking these drugs. Only taking as needed since. But I imagine that now with my issue after my cold, any allergic reactions would make things worse?
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to ebl233's response:
A person can have a cold and allergies, all at the same time. You may need to go back on Veramyst or an equivalent nasal spray.
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?A person can have a cold and allergies, all at the same time. You may need to go back on Veramyst or an equivalent nasal spray.
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ebl233 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
I want to thank you for relieving some of my anxiety over this issue with your answers. I feel like the two ENT's I went to see sort of brushed me off as soon as they heard I had "ear ringing" without giving me any probable explanations for my symptoms. One told me to wait a month and come back. The other, after seeing I had a perfect hearing test, told me to just relax and that tinnitus usually doesn't bug most people.. I am going to see about going back to an allergist. In the mean time, I think I can just wait and see what happens right? Maybe my eustachian tubes need time to drain? I don't suffer from any allergy symptoms usually. I try to keep my home clean and dust-free. So that is why I never thought about going back on the meds. My mom's house, on the other hand, that's where I experience my symptoms every time I want to visit her. Right now the only symptoms I have are the crackling sound when I swallow, a feeling of post-nasal drip, and some ear ringing (which did subside after the last ear cleaning).
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?I want to thank you for relieving some of my anxiety over this issue with your answers. I feel like the two ENT's I went to see sort of brushed me off as soon as they heard I had "ear ringing" without giving me any probable explanations for my symptoms. One told me to wait a month and come back. The other, after seeing I had a perfect hearing test, told me to just relax and that tinnitus usually doesn't bug most people.. I am going to see about going back to an allergist. In the mean time, I think I can just wait and see what happens right? Maybe my eustachian tubes need time to drain? I don't suffer from any allergy symptoms usually. I try to keep my home clean and dust-free. So that is why I never thought about going back on the meds. My mom's house, on the other hand, that's where I experience my symptoms every time I want to visit her. Right now the only symptoms I have are the crackling sound when I swallow, a feeling of post-nasal drip, and some ear ringing (which did subside after the last ear cleaning).
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to ebl233's response:
You are welcome.....

Tinnitus is so difficult to evaluate and treat, that many clinicians will not give it the attention it deserves, hoping that (a) it will just go away or (b) hoping you will see someone else.

Fortunately for most people, tinnitus does self-resolve, but it is not possible to predict when this might happen. For a few people (myself included), tinnitus will be permanent. For you, it is okay to try and wait it out for a while. Because you do have an allergy history, middle ear effusion (fluid) is known to cause tinnitus and that crackling sound you are experiencing.

Keep me posted and let me know how things turn out for you.
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?You are welcome.....<br /> <br />Tinnitus is so difficult to evaluate and treat, that many clinicians will not give it the attention it deserves, hoping that (a) it will just go away or (b) hoping you will see someone else.<br /> <br />Fortunately for most people, tinnitus does self-resolve, but it is not possible to predict when this might happen. For a few people (myself included), tinnitus will be permanent. For you, it is okay to try and wait it out for a while. Because you do have an allergy history, middle ear effusion (fluid) is known to cause tinnitus and that crackling sound you are experiencing.<br /> <br />Keep me posted and let me know how things turn out for you.
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ebl233 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Just updating on my condition so far. It's been 3 weeks since I last posted on here and am still having the same symptoms. I made the mistake of going swimming in the pool about a week after my last post and this increased my tinnitus as well as caused some on and off ear pain for a few days because I had gotten water in my ears. I tried not to go under water but my 2 year old did a good job of splashing water on me anyways... I was drying out my ears with a blow dryer on low setting for days trying to dry the water out..Thankfully, after about a week, the ringing subsided again. I'm going to have to wear ear plugs next time I attempt the pool.. I still have the ringing but its mild. Mild enough that I don't hear it for most of the day unless I'm in a quiet room. I can sleep at night with a loud fan atleast, which is great. I still have the same symptoms. Crackling sound whenever I swallow and post-nasal drip that seems worse some days more than others. I've been trying to drink a lot of water, eat healthier, avoid caffeine... Now I'm thinking of making an appointment with my old regular doctor and see what else I can do. I am a little scared to go back on allergy meds being that I was reading they may make tinnitus worse. Zyrtec and Allegra are listed as being ototoxic... I used to take Allegra without problems a couple of years ago so this wouldn't affect me if I go back on it I hope? I'm just trying to avoid anything with any possibility of making the ringing worse.
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?Just updating on my condition so far. It's been 3 weeks since I last posted on here and am still having the same symptoms. I made the mistake of going swimming in the pool about a week after my last post and this increased my tinnitus as well as caused some on and off ear pain for a few days because I had gotten water in my ears. I tried not to go under water but my 2 year old did a good job of splashing water on me anyways... I was drying out my ears with a blow dryer on low setting for days trying to dry the water out..Thankfully, after about a week, the ringing subsided again. I'm going to have to wear ear plugs next time I attempt the pool.. I still have the ringing but its mild. Mild enough that I don't hear it for most of the day unless I'm in a quiet room. I can sleep at night with a loud fan atleast, which is great. I still have the same symptoms. Crackling sound whenever I swallow and post-nasal drip that seems worse some days more than others. I've been trying to drink a lot of water, eat healthier, avoid caffeine... Now I'm thinking of making an appointment with my old regular doctor and see what else I can do. I am a little scared to go back on allergy meds being that I was reading they may make tinnitus worse. Zyrtec and Allegra are listed as being ototoxic... I used to take Allegra without problems a couple of years ago so this wouldn't affect me if I go back on it I hope? I'm just trying to avoid anything with any possibility of making the ringing worse.
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to ebl233's response:
I know you can't look inside your own ears, but are you sure you do not have a partial wax impaction? This can trap water, cause crackling, and many of your symptoms. While there can be many other causes that needs to be investigated by an ENT, you may want to consider trying to lavage out your ear with a gentle stream of warm water using an ear syringe. As long as your eardum is intact and you are not having any signs of infection or pain, this is safe to do. Stand in the shower and let your wife do it....
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?I know you can't look inside your own ears, but are you sure you do not have a partial wax impaction? This can trap water, cause crackling, and many of your symptoms. While there can be many other causes that needs to be investigated by an ENT, you may want to consider trying to lavage out your ear with a gentle stream of warm water using an ear syringe. As long as your eardum is intact and you are not having any signs of infection or pain, this is safe to do. Stand in the shower and let your wife do it....
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to ebl233's response:
Oops....your husband!
Report This| Share this:Tinnitus..can Cortisporin cause it?Oops....your husband!
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