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Q: Buzzing in ear

asked by: DoctorQuestion on February 19th, 2008

On 1/25/08 I woke up with minor buzzing in my right ear. The buzzing got increasingly worse and was so loud for two weeks I couldn't even hear anyone talking to me. Couldn't concentrate, couldn't sleep.

Went to primary care physician and then ENT and was told that it was likely a virus in that ear and that I just have to "wait it out". I am currently on no medications after taking Prednisone for 9 days.

My question - does this seem accurate? I have NO other symptoms of anything. No dizziness, no vertigo, no pain at all. Just incessant buzzing in my right ear that will not stop.

For the last two weeks the buzzing/ringing has been slightly better and I have had days of complete silence but then it always comes back. If this is a virus, how long do they typically last? It's been 26 days now and I want to make sure I'm not ignoring something that could cause long-term issues if not treated more aggressively. Thank you.

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on February 26th, 2008

Cold, Flu and Viral Infections Answer A3742

The ENT-specialist probably thought that the buzzing/ringing in you ear is due to a slight inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media) or inner ear (labyrinthitis) ... although the main symptoms (pain for otitis media and vertigo for labyrinthitis) are absent. Labyrinthitis and otitis media are most frequently due to viral or bacterial infections. Labyrinthitis can be also due to allergy / allergies. Viral infections pass spontaneously while bacterial infections require antibiotics. Steroids (prednisone) are anti-inflammatory prescription medicines that can help the symptoms if they are caused by inflammation. Symptoms like buzzing in the ear may last even after the infection has been cured because the damaged structures need time to recover. The duration of recovery depends upon the severity of the ear damage. In some cases, ear infection can cause permanent damage even after the infection has been overcome.

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