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.
|
DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Cold, Flu and Viral Infections Answer A3742 Posted: 02-26-08 03:02am
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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