Perforated ear drum, Tinnitus, or Infection? Posted: 10-31-06 08:33am
I have had a mild case of tinnitus since
my allergies started a month ago. This is
the first time I have ever been affected
by it in a consistent fashion. I think it
may be wax build-up in combination with
sinus and/or mucus, so I would like to do
an ear irrigation.
However, it is NOT recommended to do such
an irrigation if I may have a perforated
ear drum. I do not have health insurance
and was wondering if there was a test I
could perform at home to confirm that it
is indeed NOT a perforated eardrum, so
that I may continue with the irrigation.
The tinnitus symptoms take the form of a
faint white-noise in the upper registers.
There has been head pressure behind the
ears, and a more-than-usual onset of
temporary tinnitus when an actual pitch is
induced but goes away. To my knowledge,
it is not the result of any trauma or of
listening to loud music, and seemed to
coincide with the allergies/cold I was
getting. I have had slight pain in my ears
only about two or three times for a few
seconds, and mild vertigo only twice and
briefly.
I have also considered that I may have an
ear infection, but again the pain is
hardly existent and there are no fluids or
any other symptoms besides the tinnitus
alone.
Given these symptoms, what are the chances
that this is a perforated ear drum? How
can I test for one at home?
Thanks for the help-
James
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DoctorAnswer
Doctor Answer
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Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Answer A1759 Posted: 11-29-06 03:33am
A perforated ear drum can be confirmed or
excluded only by performing an otoscopy (a
visual examination of the outer ear canal
and ear drum). An otoscopy can only be
performed by an ENT-specialist using an
instrument called an otoscope. One
distinct symptom of a perforated ear drum
is a decreased sense of hearing of the
affected ear. Tinnitus and vertigo are
symptoms of an affected inner ear
(vestibule, cochlea and semicircular
canals). You can go to an ENT-specialist
for a detailed ear-examination and for
more details.
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