What you are describing does sound like tinitus from what i've been taught at university, however it was only briefly covered as I was studying psychology and it was only included in my adult development course as it is, as you say, a known condition in older people.

From what I leared, tinitus is usually a high-pitched whistle or sound, and usually manifests as a continual noise throughout the day and at night. I'm not sure if it can be intermittent, but i'm sure that if it is, it would still be classified as tinitus.

I don't know how allergies, swimming and infections would influence tinitus or the hearing mechanisms, although I would be inclined to think that pressure in the middle ear from such sources may well contribute to your discomfort. However, I would expect a reduction in discomfort over time as these conditions were reduced. If these conditions drop off in intensity and you experience just as much or more discomfort, I would expect these conditions were not a large factor.

My advice at this point in time would be to see an ent and describe in detail what you are experiencing and what conditions influence it, if any, especially as it seems to be getting louder for you. I am by no means a medical expert, and would advocate seeing someone who is so they can either confirm or disconfirm a diagnosis of tinitus, and then make steps to help relieve your condition (hopefully).

I don't know if this will help in anyway I am a 27 yr old and have had Tinitus which became worse after a Kidney operation,


I have found there are places which can do different tests from frequency range to loudness it all depends on the level of help/expertise in your region to what support you can get.

I have been offered a hearing aid as my right ear is very poor I must also add that both ears do not protect themselves against noise properly, I was getting agitated when my neighbour would put a radio on in another flat or if there was lots of noise going on.

Unlike most of my age group I never found sitting in a room with Tripple sledgehammer music, aka Rave, Metal, Goth to do anything for me,

I have not been in positions that could damage my hearing in this way. It is also not genetic as far as I know,

The type of hobby I have requires soldering and concerntration so for those particular things I use ear plugs. Please ask a Dr before using ear pieces as most Tinitus sites highly recommened against ear plug usage.

The other treatment offered is ear pieces that generates a static noise that gives me something else to focus on.

I hope that someone will be able to find a treatment as it is an awful condition to live with.