Sinusitis and Tinnitus Treatment
Sinus infections can cause annoying ringing in the ears that interferes with daily routine. While noise is the primary source of tinnitus, studies indicate that chronic sinus infections may also worsen this condition and contribute to it.
Sinus infection-related tinnitus typically subsides once your sinus symptoms clear up; however, long-term infection could damage hearing permanently.
Antihistamines
An infection of the sinus can result in an uncomfortable ringing in the ears, commonly known as tinnitus. This ringing in the ears is caused by pressure created by fluid build-up within sinus cavities that then affects nerves that run through ear canal and causes tinnitus symptoms to appear. Once your infection clears up, often times this problem disappears as well and so will your tinnitus symptoms.
Antihistamines can provide effective relief from allergies-related tinnitus. These drugs work by blocking histamine’s natural functions in your body which aid blood flow and defend against foreign substances, such as dust mites or pollen. Antihistamines come in the form of tablets, capsules, liquids or eye drops and many are available over-the-counter at drug stores or even without prescription – some even combine both an antihistamine and decongestant to combat congestion effectively.
Nasal decongestant sprays can also help relieve tinnitus associated with sinusitis. By shrinking swollen nasal passages and making mucus easier to drain from your nose, nasal decongestant sprays may provide temporary relief; however, their use should not exceed three or four days as extended use could cause additional swelling that leads to congestion and thus cause further tinnitus symptoms.
Homeopathic medication can also be effective at relieving tinnitus caused by sinus infections. Take three granules of one of the following remedies each morning and evening until symptoms improve: Kalium Bichromicum 7 CH can provide relief if there is pain at the top of the head with lisping when speaking; Lachesis 7 CH helps alleviate an ongoing feeling of stuffiness; while Silicea 7 CH helps soothe sinus irritation caused by heat or worsening symptoms when cold weather comes around;
Tinnitus may also be caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises, such as music or working at a construction site; and taking certain ototoxic drugs which damage hair cells in the inner ear. Tinnitus can also be caused by tumors in the middle ear or by venous sinus stenosis – a medical condition in which one of the large veins in the brain becomes narrowed – and treated using minimally invasive procedures that involve inserting metallic mesh stents into these veins.
Decongestants
Experienced sinus sufferers know the discomfort caused by sinus infections can quickly escalate into prolonged discomfort, pain and fluid build-up in your sinus cavities resulting in pressure that causes ringing in your ears, known as tinnitus. There are ways to alleviate this problem though; decongestants may help treat the sinus infection in order to alleviate pressure build up within them and ease symptoms of tinnitus symptoms.
When taking decongestants, be careful to follow the recommended dosage on the label. Exceeding this amount could be dangerous and taking more will not speed up or improve its effect. You should also read all labels of other medicines you’re taking as some could interact with each other; this is particularly important if taking pseudoephedrine-containing drugs which raise blood pressure or interact with medications that increase it.
Over-the-counter decongestants come in various forms. You can purchase a nasal rinse kit, mix your own salt water recipe at home, or purchase pre-mixed saltwater solutions from many pharmacies. When inhaled, these solutions can reduce congestion and mucus build-up in the sinuses, helping relieve tinnitus symptoms while improving sinus function.
Your doctor can prescribe stronger solutions to treat sinusitis and tinnitus, such as oral medication, eye drops or nasal sprays. In more serious cases, they may even perform balloon sinuplasty to clear away blockages in your sinuses and restore normal sinus flow.
If you suffer from chronic tinnitus, consulting an ENT specialist about treatments to enhance Eustachian tube function. They may also suggest masking devices that play soothing sounds to temporarily dull any noise produced by your tinnitus.
Tinnitus caused by venous sinus stenosis or aneurysms may be treated using minimally invasive procedures like venous sinus stenting, which uses metallic mesh to open narrowed veins back up again, restoring normal blood flow. Meanwhile, for aneurysms metallic coils can take the form of the artery and seal off blood supply from entering it – both options provide relief to sufferers of tinnitus caused by them.
Otolaryngology
If your symptoms continue despite taking over-the-counter medication, visit an otolaryngologist. They specialize in treating conditions related to ears, noses and throats including sinusitis and tinnitus and can offer solutions such as medications, surgery or other techniques to provide relief.
An Otolaryngologist (also referred to as an Otorhinolaryngologist or Head and Neck Surgeon or ENT doctor) specializes in treating diseases and disorders affecting the ears, nose, throat, base of skull and head. Also referred to as an Otorhinolaryngologist or Otolaryngology specialist). They spend four years at college followed by four in medical school before spending 51 months specializing in their area of expertise.
Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses become inflamed and swollen, leading to blockages of nasal passages and making breathing through your nose difficult. Over time, this may result in headaches or dizziness as well as other symptoms. Your GP should be able to diagnose sinusitis from symptoms alone and by looking inside your nose; however if your symptoms last three months or more then an otolaryngologist should be seen for further care.
Otolaryngologists may recommend surgery to improve drainage of your sinuses. A procedure called balloon sinuplasty involves inserting a small tube in your nostrils to unclog clogged sinuses and restore normal breathing patterns – often successfully done under local anesthesia.
Many individuals who experience sinusitis also have tinnitus. This symptom, most often described as ringing in your ears but sometimes described as buzzing, roaring or clicking, is usually your body’s response to changes such as infection. An otolaryngologist can uncover its source and offer management techniques or devices.
If your tinnitus is caused by allergies, an otolaryngologist can conduct allergy testing to identify your triggers and prescribe an antihistamine or decongestant to ease symptoms. You can ask your primary care doctor for a referral, use the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery’s search tool or get one recommended from friends or family members.
Surgery
Sinuses are intimately connected to hearing and can interfere with it, which is why it’s vitally important that if you experience sinus issues that lead to tinnitus it should be treated immediately – this will keep concentration and sleep at bay while possibly signalling more serious medical conditions – but with treatment of your sinus issue usually comes relief of this constant irritation and disturbance of sleep patterns.
Sinuses become inflamed when air is trapped between their cells and bacteria proliferates, creating pressure which affects the Eustachian tube and causes symptoms like nasal congestion, fullness in ears or even tinnitus. Additionally, this pressure may impact on the tympanic membrane that protects middle ear from infection and fluids entering.
Pulsatile Tinnitus, which only the patient hears, ranges in intensity from heartbeat-like to whooshing sounds and may vary with activities, stress levels or sleep. Nearly 5 Million Americans currently suffer from this symptom of sinusitis.
Most cases of tinnitus will fade as soon as their sinus infection clears, but for others the issue can persist and worsen over time. When this is the case it’s wise to consult an ENT specialist, who can assess your individual circumstances and suggest various treatments.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) may be one way to address sinusitis and tinnitus. This outpatient procedure utilizes a small telescope and thin tube equipped with a camera attached to guide the surgeon during removal of extraneous tissue to open up passages and restore normal function.
Other surgical options may also be considered, for cases in which medical therapy has failed. A person suffering from sigmoid diverticulum could benefit from minimally invasive stent placement performed by neurointerventional radiologists; this procedure involves inserting metal mesh inside their sigmoid diverticulum to restore normal blood flow.
A stent is a flexible plastic device that conforms to the vein it’s placed in and helps redirect blood flow in order to normalize pulsatile tinnitus symptoms. Similar techniques may also be used for treating venous aneurysms.
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