Sinus Ear Ringing Treatment
Sinus Ear Ringing Treatment. Ringing in the ears is a common sign of sinusitis and often alleviated with medications; however, more serious symptoms may require surgical treatment.
Sinus cavities may swell with infection and block the natural pressure equalization tube called Eustachian tube, leading to build-ups of pressure that result in ringing or buzzing noises known as tinnitus in your ears.
Treatment Options
Ringing in the ears associated with sinus infection usually disappears once its infection clears and pressure has subsided; however, if left untreated it may cause irreparable damage and adversely impact hearing permanently.
Sinus infections occur when the inner lining of the nose and sinus cavities swell due to allergies, dust mites, bacteria, viruses or fungi, leading to congestion and blockage of the natural pressure equalization tube that connects middle ears with outside world. Without regular pressure equalization in place this leads to negative pressure that causes collapsed eardrums that produce tinnitus (ringing in ears).
Pulsatile tinnitus is often experienced by those living with untreated sinus infections. Pulsations often sound like rushing, clicking, or humming noises which beat in time with your heartbeat – it can even sound similar to your own heartbeat pulsations – making this form particularly disruptive and anxiety-inducing for people suffering from sinus issues.
Other types of tinnitus may involve high-pitched buzzing, chirping or sizzling sounds which tend to be louder and more persistent than pulsatile tinnitus. These sounds result from muscle contractions that create sinus pressure which are made worse by certain medications or blood vessel conditions such as high blood pressure.
If your sinus-induced tinnitus doesn’t respond to medication, surgery might be your only recourse. Balloon sinuplasty can remove sinus blockages and the fluid causing clogged ears by eliminating blocked sinuses with balloon sinuplasty, leading to less congestion in your ears and reduced tinnitus symptoms. While this approach will improve symptoms significantly, treatment needs more complex consideration than simply prescribing antibiotics or decongestants alone; to ensure optimal resolution it is important to discuss symptoms with a physician who will develop a personalized plan tailored specifically towards you based on individual needs as this ensures lasting damage is avoided as well as return of symptoms once inflammation has subsided.
Medication
Though ringing in the ears is most commonly associated with sinusitis, it may also occur due to other conditions. Aside from sinus infections, tinnitus may also be caused by high blood pressure, migraines, otosclerosis, or neurological problems.
Sinusitis can cause an irritating ringing in the ears as the inner lining of sinuses swell, creating abnormal pressure inside them and nasal passages that disrupts normal soundwave transmission to ears, leading to tinnitus symptoms. However, most often any related to sinusitis will go away once treated;
At times, an individual may experience tinnitus due to increased pressure in their middle ear, known as pulsatile tinnitus and typically associated with heartbeats or blood flowing through ears. Balloon sinuplasty may provide relief; it’s often performed within 20 minutes at an office location.
Many travelers experience tinnitus after traveling on airplanes due to sudden changes in air pressure and altitude changes on an aircraft, often leading to headaches, muffled sounds, and sinus pain. Although antihistamines and decongestants may help relieve this discomfort temporarily, should your condition worsen it is best to visit a doctor immediately.
Tinnitus may also be caused by congestion of the Eustachian tube, a structure connecting your middle ear with your outer ear that serves to regulate pressure within both ears. When blocked due to congestion, it can cause ringing in your ears and other symptoms that are sometimes alleviated through yawning, swallowing or chewing in order to equalize pressure in both ears.
When dealing with non-medical causes of tinnitus, masking devices may offer relief. Similar to hearing aids but instead providing soothing background noise as opposed to hearing assistance may provide soothing noise that drowns out tinnitus symptoms. A physician can determine whether such devices would help suit a patient’s tinnitus symptoms.
Balloon Sinuplasty
This minimally invasive sinus surgery procedure has been in practice for around 15 years and provides a safe alternative to traditional surgical techniques of sinus surgery. A small endoscopic balloon catheter is inserted directly into the sinus cavity through nostril openings, then gently inflated by an experienced surgeon; once inside, this breaks down bone blockages before being withdrawn and left for normal drainage of sinus.
As balloon sinuplasty doesn’t involve cutting bone or tissue removal, recovery time for balloon sinuplasty procedures tends to be faster. Many patients can return home within hours and resume regular activities shortly afterwards – making this option especially suitable for people who cannot tolerate pain medication or fear general anesthesia.
Recent research showed that balloon sinusuplasty treatment was successful in treating chronic sinusitis in 98% of those who underwent it, although those who suffered from sinus polyps or severe deviated septum did not respond as effectively and required more intensive methods for their care.
Maryland ENT’s team of ENT specialists can identify what’s causing your chronic sinusitis and if balloon sinuplasty may help alleviate it. Their experienced sinus doctors offer relief from ongoing sinus issues.
Balloon sinusuplasty can be performed at our office with local/topical anesthesia. We advise against taking medications that promote bleeding such as NSAIDS and herbal supplements; otherwise most people return to their daily lives the day following surgery. Symptoms from balloon sinusuplasty may last for 1-2 weeks afterward but should be manageable through over-the-counter painkillers; for optimal recovery it’s wise to refrain from strenuous activity for at least the first week; using saline rinses is also useful in keeping sinuses clear & helping prevent infections during recovery.
Hearing Aids
Due to their size and location, sinuses and ears can become susceptible to numerous issues that impair hearing. One such symptom could be ringing in the ears caused by infection or simply too much earwax build-up. In most cases, the ringing will subside when its source is addressed. Earwax plays an essential role in maintaining healthy ears by clearing away debris in the ear canal and preventing build-up of bacteria; in some cases excess earwax may need to be removed professionally. At home or by visiting the doctor, this process should be carried out safely and effectively with irrigation using an antibacterial solution that’s made specifically for ears. Cotton swabs or similar tools should not be used because these could damage your eardrum and push earwax deeper into your ears.
If you have been experiencing ringing in your ears, hearing aids could be just what’s needed to alleviate them. Hearing aids amplify sounds around you, helping reduce focus on the ringing noise of tinnitus. Many devices also come equipped with noise generators which provide background sound to mask it; plus they may improve communication and concentration.
Even though hearing aids won’t cure tinnitus, they may make managing it easier and make life more comfortable for those living with it. You can receive more information regarding hearing aids and tinnitus from a specialist in ear, nose and throat disorders.
If you are experiencing ringing in the ears, it is wise to visit your physician as soon as possible. If the cause lies within one of your health conditions like high blood pressure, they can work with you to treat that underlying cause, alleviating any subsequent tinnitus symptoms. In addition, doctors can assist with treating pulsatile tinnitus – which sounds similar to heartbeat or blood flow – by performing balloon sinuplasty – an outpatient procedure usually completed within 20 minutes at most offices.