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Can ear infections cause tinnitus?

Last update on Sep, 10, 2024

Ear infections can sometimes lead to tinnitus. When this happens, it’s normal to feel worried or frustrated. However, tinnitus caused by ear infection is not uncommon and will usually resolve on its own over time. There are many things you can do in the meantime to learn how to cope.

How do ear infections lead to tinnitus?

How exactly do ear infections lead to tinnitus? When you have an ear infection, tinnitus can result from an increase of earwax or fluid in your ear. That excess wax or fluid can put pressure on your eardrum which may trigger the perception of a ringing sound, also called tinnitus. Tinnitus is quite common; around 10% of adults in the U.S. (or 25 million Americans) have experienced tinnitus in the past year.¹

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How long does tinnitus from an ear infection last?

Tinnitus can be a temporary side effect of an ear infection. But you might wonder, how long does temporary tinnitus last? Typically, tinnitus from an ear infection only lasts for a few weeks. However, if the ear infection was severe, the tinnitus may last as long as several months. If your tinnitus is lingering for months after an ear infection and disrupting your daily life, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to be sure there isn’t another cause.

What are the symptoms of tinnitus from an ear infection?

Tinnitus is always caused by an underlying condition. Because of this, the symptoms of tinnitus are mostly the same, regardless of what caused it. Tinnitus symptoms typically include a ringing or buzzing sound in one or both ears that can vary in pitch. Sometimes, tinnitus is perceived as a whooshing or heartbeat sound in the ear. This is called pulsatile tinnitus.

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How do you treat tinnitus from an ear infection?

Treating tinnitus caused by an ear infection first requires treating the ear infection. There are different types of ear infections. Some of them affect the inner ear while others affect the middle or outer ear. Some ear infections are bacterial while others are caused by viruses. Home remedies can help and are usually a good place to start. Here are a few things you can do for ear infection and tinnitus treatment:

One way that you can treat an ear infection is with a warm compress. Ear infection symptoms, including pain, may lessen with this at-home treatment. You can create a warm compress by wetting a washcloth in warm water, wringing it out and placing it over your ear for up to 20 minutes.

While it isn’t an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for ear infections, specifically, pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help. These can reduce the swelling and inflammation in your ear and help you manage the pain. However, while they may help with the symptoms of your ear infection, medicine like this may actually make the ringing in your ears worse.

Many pain relievers are considered ototoxic , which means that they may cause temporary or permanent damage to your ear and hearing.² Before taking pain relievers, be sure you review the dosage instructions and speak with your doctor if you have any questions.

A more specific OTC medicine for ear infections and allergies is a decongestant. A decongestant is an allergy or ear infection medicine that works to reduce the swelling in the mucous membranes. This can help to open up the passages that lead to the middle ear. Decongestants are usually available in the form of nasal sprays, nose drops or pills.

Some people find it helpful to use ear drops. Ear infection symptoms, such as earache, may be temporarily reduced with the use of ear drops. Some ear drops also work to kill off any bacteria or fungi that may be causing your infection. Ear drops are medications that are prescribed by your doctor for specific types of ear infections.

Some ear infections require antibiotics if they don’t clear up on their own or if they’re recurring. This is usually the case if the infection is bacterial rather than viral. If your ear infection isn’t improving, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics for infected ears help prevent the bacteria from spreading and affecting other parts of the body. You should always follow your doctor’s instructions and take the full course of antibiotics you’re prescribed so that it kills off the infection.

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If you experience tinnitus, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor or hearing instrument specialist about how you can best manage the symptoms.

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How to cope with tinnitus after an ear infection

Dealing with tinnitus after an ear infection can be frustrating, but your symptoms will most likely improve over time. Learning how to cope with tinnitus is an important part of managing it in the meantime. Here are a few strategies to try:

Many times, tinnitus caused by an ear infection will clear up on its own. Learning how to cope with tinnitus by remembering that it’s temporary can help you live with it until it goes away. Patience can be difficult, so keep reminding yourself that this situation is not permanent and will most likely improve on its own.

Another way you can learn how to cope with tinnitus is by distracting yourself. When you’re focusing on your ear ringing, it will only make it seem louder and more distracting. Using distractions such as listening to music, podcasts or television may help you to focus less on the noise which will help make it less irritating.

Tinnitus can feel isolating. Because of this, there is an increased risk of those with tinnitus developing anxiety and depression.³ Talking to friends and surrounding yourself with others can be beneficial when learning how to cope with tinnitus. Not only will it help you take your mind off of it, but it can help your friends understand what you’re dealing with so that they can learn to better support you. As common as tinnitus is, you might find that you know someone who has it and can share advice about dealing with it.

Quality and consistent sleep is an important contributor to physical and mental health. Learning how to cope with tinnitus may involve making some lifestyle changes such as getting consistent sleep. If your tinnitus is making it difficult to fall asleep, consider using a fan or noise machine to mask the ringing in your ears.

Another lifestyle change you can make when learning how to cope with tinnitus is adjusting your diet. There is still research being done to determine whether or not certain foods can lessen tinnitus symptoms. According to a study published in Ear and Hearing, higher intake of vitamin B12 was found to reduce the likelihood of tinnitus.⁴

Another study published in Nutrients found a potential correlation between high-protein foods and reduced tinnitus.⁵ While there is still not enough evidence to fully support this, eating a well-rounded diet can help support your immune system, keeping you healthy and at less risk of developing illnesses in the first place.

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References

¹Bhatt, JM; Lin, HW; Bhattacharyya, N (2016): Prevalence, severity, exposures, and treatment patterns of tinnitus in the United States. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Oct 1;142(10):959-965. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2016.1700.

² Cone, B., Dorn, P., Konrad-Martin, D., Lister, J., Ortiz, C., & Schairer, K. Ototoxic Medications (Medication Effects). (n.d.) American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. asha.org/public/hearing/ototoxic-medications/

³Hackenberg, B., Döge, J., O'Brien, K., Bohnert, A., Lackner, K. J., Beutel, M. E., Michal, M., Münzel, T., Wild, P. S., Pfeiffer, N., Schulz, A., Schmidtmann, I., Matthias, C., & Bahr, K. (2023). Tinnitus and Its Relation to Depression, Anxiety, and Stress-A Population-Based Cohort Study. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(3), 1169. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12031169

⁴Dawes, P., Cruickshanks, K. J., Marsden, A., Moore, D. R., & Munro, K. J. (2020). Relationship Between Diet, Tinnitus, and Hearing Difficulties. Ear and hearing, 41(2), 289–299. https://doi.org/10.1097/AUD.0000000000000765

⁵Jarach, C. M., Lugo, A., Garavello, W., van den Brandt, P. A., Odone, A., Cederroth, C. R., Bosetti, C., & Gallus, S. (2023). The Role of Diet in Tinnitus Onset: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study from Italy. Nutrients, 15(3), 621. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15030621