High Pitch Ear Buzzing

digital · June 29

For almost 2 weeks now I've had a high pitch buzzing in my left ear, If I am watching tv or something where there is some other noise its not really noticeable, if I am reading in a quiet room its more noticeable especially once you know its there. If the ear is closed by laying on that side or covering it the buzz is there. I don't think my hearing is affected. It there most of the time but sometimes just stops for a while.

At first tried some hydrogen peroxide to clean the ear out in case its wax.

Been taking daily Merislon - Betahistine Mesailate since last Sunday I think.

Also tried Pseudoephedrine - only for 3 days on/off. Oxymetazoline nasal spray - just a couple of times. Acetylcysteine again just a few times. Paracetamol. Saline rinse of nose starting today.

My wife has had covid after this started and is mostly better, I've checked myself 3 times and its negative.

I have had a sore throat come and go over last week after the buzzing started, both ears feel a bit congested, blocked or runny nose. For 2 days my other ear (right) was painful to touch under the ear where it meets the jaw but that seems better now.

Tried a few things so not really sure which if any are really the correct ones. Should I try some ear drops or something else? Thanks

scubascuba3 · June 29

Could be tinnitus but why don't you go to a ENT clinic, get them vacuumed and checked, less than 1000 baht

Sheryl · June 29

You should stop self treating and see an ENT, preferrably one specializing in tinnitus.

Where do you live?

digital · June 29

Because I have some symptoms of a cold (blocked or runny nose, sore throat and the pain in the other ear) and my wife having covid I thought it likely to be due to congestion or similar. Most of the time it's fairly mild and I don't hear it over other noises unless I block my ear.

The Betahistine is supposedly for tinnitus, been taking that since last Sun evening.

I prefer a clinic to a hospital. I was going to go to my general Dr on Monday but maybe an ENT is better, there's one I have used a very long time ago (Dr Kongkrit) don't remember if it was good or not, closed until Monday evening now. Phuket, town area is preferred. - Thanks

Edited June 29 by digital

digital · June 30

Today I'm a bit better than yesterday, the left ear buzz is not there all the time and again only really noticeable if I close my ear. My sore throat has improved my other ear still feels a bit blocked and hurts a little underneath.

Anyway, I found another ENT that was open today. He took a very quick look in my ears and then my throat and said I have a throat infection. Didn't feel like he was really listening was in and out very quick. He referred me for a Audiogram test to another place tomorrow and then go back to him after (ENT Dr only opens in the early evening, hearing place in the day). I asked if the throat infection was causing my minor ear buzz and he said he didn't know. Prescribed Cefuoxime 500mg twice daily for a week.

Robert Paulson · June 30

36 minutes ago, digital said:

Today I'm a bit better than yesterday, the left ear buzz is not there all the time and again only really noticeable if I close my ear. My sore throat has improved my other ear still feels a bit blocked and hurts a little underneath.

Anyway, I found another ENT that was open today. He took a very quick look in my ears and then my throat and said I have a throat infection. Didn't feel like he was really listening was in and out very quick. He referred me for a Audiogram test to another place tomorrow and then go back to him after (ENT Dr only opens in the early evening, hearing place in the day). I asked if the throat infection was causing my minor ear buzz and he said he didn't know. Prescribed Cefuoxime 500mg twice daily for a week.

Yeah exactly, he’ll just prescribe you stuff in a shotgun style approach without having any clue, with his number one concern being you come back for another visit and more tests and meds.

the truth is the inner ear is a total enigma and doctors do t know what the hell they are doing in there or how to fix it. I would wait a few weeks if I were you, no meds, and see if it still there. Right now you’re likely just wasting money at the doctor

digital · June 30

1 hour ago, digital said:

Anyway, I found another ENT that was open today. He took a very quick look in my ears and then my throat and said I have a throat infection. Didn't feel like he was really listening was in and out very quick. He referred me for a Audiogram test to another place tomorrow and then go back to him after (ENT Dr only opens in the early evening, hearing place in the day). I asked if the throat infection was causing my minor ear buzz and he said he didn't know. Prescribed Cefuoxime 500mg twice daily for a week.

Not really sure if I should be rushing to get this hearing test done and going back to the ENT Dr tomorrow, or to wait until the course of antibiotics is finished?

Sheryl · June 30

19 minutes ago, digital said:

Not really sure if I should be rushing to get this hearing test done and going back to the ENT Dr tomorrow, or to wait until the course of antibiotics is finished?

Unlikely the tinnitus is due to the throat infection, but time will tell.

Often it is due to hearing loss, hence the recommended audiogram.

There are ENTs who specialize in tinnitus but you won't find them in clinics or, for tha matter, in Phuket.

By the way Betahistine does nto treat tinnitus. It is for vertigo, specifically vertigo associated with Menieres Disease.

digital · June 30

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Unlikely the tinnitus is due to the throat infection, but time will tell.

Often it is due to hearing loss, hence the recommended audiogram.

There are ENTs who specialize in tinnitus but you won't find them in clinics or, for tha matter, in Phuket.

By the way Betahistine does nto treat tinnitus. It is for vertigo, specifically vertigo associated with Menieres Disease.

Thanks Sheryl.

The left ear buzz started first, then after a week the other symptoms including pain around the other right ear, at a similar time my wife had covid. Quite a coincidence if they aren't connected.

I've not noticed any hearing loss.

Do you think better to just go and do the tests now, or wait until the throat infection has gone first?

talahtnut · June 30

Married men suffer the same problem.

freeworld · June 30

For info.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156

Sheryl · June 30

46 minutes ago, digital said:

Thanks Sheryl.

The left ear buzz started first, then after a week the other symptoms including pain around the other right ear, at a similar time my wife had covid. Quite a coincidence if they aren't connected.

I've not noticed any hearing loss.

Do you think better to just go and do the tests now, or wait until the throat infection has gone first?

Up to you. I don't think it matters.

Is it possible you also had/have COVID? As COVID does cause tinnitus in some people.

digital · June 30

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Up to you. I don't think it matters.

Is it possible you also had/have COVID? As COVID does cause tinnitus in some people.

Thanks.

Covid is a possibility. About a week after the buzz started my wife had covid, I then started with some symptoms and tested 3 times last was Thu/Fri I think all were negative. It's possible I had covid first but with no symptoms.

If it was covid related how long would you expect it to last?

Sheryl · June 30

25 minutes ago, digital said:

Thanks.

Covid is a possibility. About a week after the buzz started my wife had covid, I then started with some symptoms and tested 3 times last was Thu/Fri I think all were negative. It's possible I had covid first but with no symptoms.

If it was covid related how long would you expect it to last?

In most people it gets better within a few months, but it does vary.

https://ada.com/covid/covid-19-tinnitus/

Sheryl · June 30

Several posts making veiled illusions to COVID vaccines and a reply to same have been remived.

COVID infection is linked to tinnitus.

The incidence of new onset of tinnitus after CIVID vaccine is quite low, about 4 in 10,000. Much lower than the incidence of it linked to COVID infection.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lary.30395

digital · July 1

Thought for what It cost I would go and do the audiogram. No problems with my hearing, they said if anything it was too good and that's perhaps why I was picking up on this buzzing. "I have the hearing like a 5 year old"

I'm now supposed to go back to the ENT this evenig.

Sheryl · July 1

2 hours ago, digital said:

Thought for what It cost I would go and do the audiogram. No problems with my hearing, they said if anything it was too good and that's perhaps why I was picking up on this buzzing. "I have the hearing like a 5 year old"

I'm now supposed to go back to the ENT this evenig.

That is good news.

You might like to repeat COVID ATK first. Good chance this is the culprit.

digital · July 1

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

That is good news.

You might like to repeat COVID ATK first. Good chance this is the culprit.

Tested C19 Negative again.

Just back from the ENT. I said the test result was good he said its not.

He said my left ear is a bit lower than my right. (Yes I saw this as did the hearing test people but its well in normal range).

He said its not about my throat infection its the nerve. My appointment was no more than a minute, he asked no questions, didn't examine me and barely looked up from the computer. He gave me Methycobal (B12) 500ug 3 times a day, come back in a week. (+ the antibiotics from yesterday).

I'll try it for the week, but not really sure what to do after that.

connda · July 1

Try a doctor.

connda · July 1

13 minutes ago, digital said:

Tested C19 Negative again.

Just back from the ENT. I said the test result was good he said its not.

He said my left ear is a bit lower than my right. (Yes I saw this as did the hearing test people but its well in normal range).

He said its not about my throat infection its the nerve. My appointment was no more than a minute, he asked no questions, didn't examine me and barely looked up from the computer. He gave me Methycobal (B12) 500ug 3 times a day, come back in a week. (+ the antibiotics from yesterday).

I'll try it for the week, but not really sure what to do after that.

Find a different doctor who doesn't treat you like livestock.

connda · July 1

I've had ear buzzing since a Humble Pie concert at the Paramount Theater in Seattle 50 years ago.

novacova · July 1

9 minutes ago, connda said:

I've had ear buzzing since a Humble Pie concert at the Paramount Theater in Seattle 50 years ago.

Ted Nugent was the first to wreck my ears in ‘75-ish at the Blaisdal stadium in Honolulu, he set the guitar against an amp for five minutes and messed up a lot hearing. My ears are still ringing, seriously.

pluto_manibo · July 1

I got Tinnitus in 2020. I also went to ENTs in the beginning. They are useless, don't waste your money. Manage your exposure to loud environments, work places, concerts etc....Protect your ears with ear plugs if exposed to loud noises. You will be fine, it takes adjusting to in the beginning. They will do endless tests, try to prescribe you ototoxic drugs like klonopin or its cousin, for you to be able to deal with it....don't go down that road! Lead a healthy life and spend your time and money on more worthwhile things. It sucks at first but your body will adjust and your brain will learn to live with it and not be aware of it at times.

0ffshore360 · July 1

In the quiet of the night I am aware of "sound" in my head. I do not think it is tinnitus because I have have temporary experience of that after being subjected to industrial noise pollution.

I often have wondered if the sound I "hear" is what others come to think is tinnitus?

As initially stated the sound is not invasive as I know tinnitus to be.

Nor can I definitively describe it in terms of being a buzz, a whine, or anything singular.

Perhaps I am hearing the deterioration of my brain as dementia creeps in ? If Only what's his name was till around making horror movies ! 🤣

Sheryl · July 1

1 hour ago, digital said:

Tested C19 Negative again.

Just back from the ENT. I said the test result was good he said its not.

He said my left ear is a bit lower than my right. (Yes I saw this as did the hearing test people but its well in normal range).

He said its not about my throat infection its the nerve. My appointment was no more than a minute, he asked no questions, didn't examine me and barely looked up from the computer. He gave me Methycobal (B12) 500ug 3 times a day, come back in a week. (+ the antibiotics from yesterday).

I'll try it for the week, but not really sure what to do after that.

B12 is unlikely to do anything, unless you had a B12 deficiency to start with.

There are definitely better doctors, ones with specialty in tinnitus,. but they are in Bangkok.

Up to you if you want to pursue at this point, or wait to see if it improves on its own/you get used to it.

digital · July 1

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

B12 is unlikely to do anything, unless you had a B12 deficiency to start with.

There are definitely better doctors, ones with specialty in tinnitus. but they are in Bangkok.

Up to you if you want to pursue at this point, or wait to see if it improves on its own/you get used to it.

Thanks again Sheryl.

The Methycobal is supposed to be to promote nerve healing. Not found much about nerve problems in the ear, only Gabapentin has been mentioned.

The tinnitus in L ear has improved a bit yesterday and today, I don't hear it at all over normal background sounds, I keep blocking the ear to check and its not been there as often as it was. (I am quite sensitive to sounds generally, unusual sounds once I hear them distract me). The tinnitus is quite small and is not causing much problem today.

My main issue is now is my right ear, I think it hurts underneath but can't pinpoint it exactly, sometimes ear sometimes neck around that area. This is probably the throat infection?

Maybe this Dr is right, maybe not. But not sure if he was listening when I told him yesterday about the right ear and the appointment seems very rushed with no questions or explanations.

DavisH · July 1

23 hours ago, digital said:

Thanks.

Covid is a possibility. About a week after the buzz started my wife had covid, I then started with some symptoms and tested 3 times last was Thu/Fri I think all were negative. It's possible I had covid first but with no symptoms.

If it was covid related how long would you expect it to last?

I've had tinnitus for 15+ years, and it arose a day after I had a nasty head cold that I think was viral. I was in the bathroom when it started and hasn't gone away. So if its covid-related I do hope for your sake it resolves. Mine did not.

digital · July 3

Not really feeling any better since the ENT Dr visits, not sure if its the Cefuroxime (since Sun eve) or Methycobal (Mon eve).

The ear buzzing (left ear) is not the main thing now, I still have it but not all the time and not too disturbing, I noticed this ear is also more noisy when I block it.

I'm generally feeling unwell since starting the meds. Have a stiff neck at back/ sides, both ears (earlier right only) feel 'strange' not exactly very painful but a feeling like when you have congestion, and a minor pain both sides under the ears. Still have sore throat, seemed a bit better Sat/Sun but worse a bit Tue/Today, again not very painful but if I had a bacterial throat infection shouldn't the antibiotics be helping a bit by now? Slight nausea at times, wake up every morning with blocked or runny nose. Some stomach pain shortly after the antibiotics.

The ENT didn't say I have ear infection only throat (ear is nerve problem unrelated), but I read you can't diagnose inner ear infection by looking anyway, and he only looked very quickly. My right ear feels/sounds slightly squishy inside when I press it, left side less so.

Could I have an undiagnosed ear infection?

If its no better by the weekend I may just go to my usual general Dr for another opinion.

Edited July 3 by digital

Mark Nothing · July 3

Have you tried a prayer asking for what you want? Something like "Thank you for perfectly functioning ears."

This simple action changes the energy field from ailment to perfect health. Just like changing a tv channel from sports to news.

I studied old timers health strategies, before the more modern theories and the belief in God and urotherapy was their main healthcare.

So to get rid of my ear ringing I said daily prayers, knew God designed me for health and would reset me back to it, and applied urine drops in each ear. And before you know it, the ringing just stops. We create our own perfect medicine.

Free. No side affects.

Sheryl · July 3

6 hours ago, digital said:

Not really feeling any better since the ENT Dr visits, not sure if its the Cefuroxime (since Sun eve) or Methycobal (Mon eve).

The ear buzzing (left ear) is not the main thing now, I still have it but not all the time and not too disturbing, I noticed this ear is also more noisy when I block it.

I'm generally feeling unwell since starting the meds. Have a stiff neck at back/ sides, both ears (earlier right only) feel 'strange' not exactly very painful but a feeling like when you have congestion, and a minor pain both sides under the ears. Still have sore throat, seemed a bit better Sat/Sun but worse a bit Tue/Today, again not very painful but if I had a bacterial throat infection shouldn't the antibiotics be helping a bit by now? Slight nausea at times, wake up every morning with blocked or runny nose. Some stomach pain shortly after the antibiotics.

The ENT didn't say I have ear infection only throat (ear is nerve problem unrelated), but I read you can't diagnose inner ear infection by looking anyway, and he only looked very quickly. My right ear feels/sounds slightly squishy inside when I press it, left side less so.

Could I have an undiagnosed ear infection?

If its no better by the weekend I may just go to my usual general Dr for another opinion.

The stomach issues could certainly be from the antibiotic.

The stiff neck is potentially alarming, especially if you also have fever. Need to rule out meningitis as ell as ear infection.

You need a more thorough evaluation, and not at a clinic. There are 3 ENTS at Bangkok Hospital, or if cost is a big concern you could go to Vachira or Mission Hospitals.

In Thailand almost all outpatient care is provided in hospital outpatient clinics, Stand alone clinics are few and often best avoided (Chiang Mai and to a lesser extent Pattya are something of an exception).

https://www.phukethospital.com/center/ear-nose-throat-center/#doctors

If you go to Vachira, use their "after hours clinic" so that you see a senior doctor. Otherwise you'll be seen by an intern or resident, especially not ideal at this time of year as the academic year just started about 6 weeks ago. (So the interns were medical students just 6 weeks ago, etc).

Wherever you go, be sure to mention the stiff neck, and expect a (simple ,inexpensive) blood test.

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