I have had unilateral tinnitus (right ear) for at least 2 years. It came on suddenly. It is a loud, deep hum and is worse when lying down. In fact, if I am in a silent room eg reading in bed I often cannot hear it until I lie down. I also have a feeling of pressure in that ear, a bit like being on an aeroplane at take-off, especially in the morning. My throat and soft palate are sore and itchy on the same side and I have a slight pain in the ear and my nose is blocked on that side in the morning, sometimes with blood-streaked discharge. My hearing (tested) is exceptionally good with only slightly less audio sensation on that side. I had an MRI scan and nothing abnormal was found. The consultant said I might have a patulous eustachian tube but it looked normal with a camera.

However, for the past week I have been having treatment for H.pylori and gastric ulcer (1 g amoxycilllin 500 mg clarythromycin and 30 mg lansoprazole b.i.d.). Remarkably, my tinnitus disappeared within 2 days. Yet, every doctor I have spoken to said there is no connection between tinnitus and infections. Surely it must be more than coincidence if I have had the tinnitus for 2 years and it is suddenly gone? It happened once before when i took antibiotics for a urinary infection but came back after a couple of weeks. My fatigue, slight dizziness and light headedness has also gone. I would be interested to know your thought on this. Thanks.