HomeAnswersDiabetologytinnitusMy sinus problem is aggravating my tinnitus. What should I do now?

Are there any medications to reduce my long term tinnitus problem?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vinodhini J.

Published At March 13, 2020
Reviewed AtJuly 12, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have had tinnitus for five to seven years now. I had suffered a lot during the initial years as there was no solution and doctors had to control using anti-depressants. I am on a regular low dose of Escitalopram even now. My tinnitus is a very shrill sound and has no trigger or cause and is constant. I had done audiometry and there was a slight loss of hearing in one ear. Lately, I chanced to read up on some forums and have found that there are various medications that are being tried for tinnitus. Tinnicar, Ginko Biloba, Complamina Retard SR, etc. Can you suggest in your opinion what I should take to reduce or end the tinnitus? What dosage and for how long? And for Ginko Biloba which is the best brand? My other problem is, I have a sinus problem. Due to cold exposure such as sleeping under an A/C, I get stuffed sinus congestion. I can feel some liquid behind my cheeks when I jump up and down and my nose and my ears are blocked. This is not very troubling. However, this causes a loud buzzing sound in my left ear which is what gets me terrified because of my already existing sinus problem. The sinus stuffiness and buzzing stays for a few days (even if the nose blockage and stuffiness goes away). It takes a few days and I have seen that exposure to heat and hot areas makes the buzzing subside quicker. However, even after the buzzing sound is gone my tinnitus gets and stays louder than normal for an additional few more days. This used to happen regularly every few weeks. However, now it has become a constant problem. I have a constant buzzing in my ear. I went to an ENT and was prescribed Lukotas, Tinnicar and Xylometazoline drops. However, I wanted your second opinion. Should I take something like Solvin to relieve pressure (again read from similar cases in forums)? Note: In my childhood, I can recollect that I had a similar "Sinus congestion" a couple of times and the doctors had drained my sinus using a syringe put in through my nose.

Answered by Dr. Mehak Agarwal

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your tinnitus problem could be due to sinusitis, which blocks the eustachian tube and causes tinnitus. But if the tinnitus is due to sinus problem it should subside with decongestants, etc. In your case, I do not think so that your ear problem is due to sinusitis. To rule out that we need to get audiometry and tympanometry done. Also, let me know if you are on any medication or if you are exposed to loud sounds. I do not support multivitamin supplements for tinnitus. But you can take any of them for a month and see if symptom improves then you can take for a longer time. But again we will need an audiometry test. For recurrent sinusitis, you should get a nasal endoscopy done. If needed CT (computed tomography) scan of nose and paranasal sinuses also. Only then we will know the severity of the disease.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Just to elaborate further. There were actually two problems that I had mentioned above. Tinnitus - I do have Tinnitus which has persisted for many years now. For that, I have asked your guidance for any medication that you can suggest, given that there are newer treatments in the market now. Then there is a separate more recent problem that of recurring sinusitis, which is aggravating my tinnitus. I have already done a nasal endoscopy. The doctor simply mentioned that the airways are very narrow, but no obstruction. I will proceed to do Audiometry, Tympanometry and a CT- PNS as you prescribed and get you the reports.

Answered by Dr. Mehak Agarwal

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, you please get your audiometry, tympanometry and CT scan of nose and paranasal sinuses done and get back. Only then we will know the underlying pathology.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Mehak Agarwal
Dr. Mehak Agarwal

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

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