i have ringing in my ears that just started 5 days ago, my doc put me on sudefed which helped for i day?

Question

now they are ringing again,, any advice out there to help

Answer 1

Hi, I'm an audiologist.

Ringing in the ears is called tinnitus. It is a rather vague symptom, like a headache, dizziness or fever - in that it could be a sign of something serious or it might well resolve on its own. The main thing is to examine what other symptoms correlated with the onset of the ringing.

Since the Dr. Rxed Sudafed, I'm guessing you had complaints of pressure or sinus congestions that suggested that the Eustachian tubes are not properly regulating the air pressure behind th eardrum. Have you continued taking the sudafed, or did you stop once you felt better? If you stopped, I'd try taking it again to see if the tinnitus resolves -- if it does, then Eustachian Tube Dysfunction is the most likely cause, and you may need to take a decongestant and/or antihistamine on a regular basis to keep things working properly -- even when you feel fine.

If your ringing is accompanied by spinning dizziness, pain, significant hearing loss, or high fever, there may be something more serious happening, and you need to return to the Dr. promptly -- or perhaps consult an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. Feel free to click on my Avatar/Name and contact me if you have any further questions.

In response to your note:
Hi. You may want to get another opinion about the sinuses. There are surgical options for some people.

Yes, many people with high blood pressure have ringing in their ears, so controlling the pressure will help minimize the tinnitus worsening. You may have had some low level tinnitus before, but didn't often notice it. What can happen is that is someone gets a blockage in the ear, from wax build-up or fluid behind the eardrum, and that muffles sound outside of the ear, so you become more aware of the tinnitus inside your head in comparison. Most people hear their tinnitus when they (and the world) are quiet, so the fact that your seems louder when you are up and moving around does suggest that the blood pressure plays a part in your symptoms.

You said you felt dizzy and nauseous when the ringing started, did you ever feel that again? Do your ears still feel plugged? Sudafed is a decongestant, so I doubt that what the doctor prescribed was also a decongestant -- you may want to double-check that.

Here's a link to the American Tinnitus Association
http://www.ata.org/

Again, I suggest a second-opinion. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Are you taking Asprin? Or Tylenol?

Look at the medicines you are taking and type them into Google, find information on side effects of your meds. See if any of them include ringing in the ears or tinnitus.
The one answer by the doctor was great. Listen to what she wrote, she seems very knowledgable.

Answer 4

If that didn't clear it up, you probably have tinnitus. I have had it for 30 years in my left ear. My ear doctor suggested bio-flavonoids. Didn't work for me, but you can give it a try. Definitely go to an otolaryngologist to have it checked out.

Answer 5

It is called tinnitus, and as of yet there is no cure, unless the one you have is the result of a med or something else that is temporary. I"ve dealt with it for over 30 years. It hasn't gotten fun yet. Hope yours gets cured.

Answer 6

i had all this too
ringing.weird noises
partially deaf in one ear
the dr. did every thing he could MRI etc
meds. nothing found and nothing worked
i took 5 months and it just stopped
i think it was a virus

Answer 7

I have tinnitus according to the degree of swelling in my ears due to allergies.

Answer 8

can also b caused by teeth & tmj.