Maybe I'm being paranoid...

[Bubble Chaser]

...but back in december I had a nasty double ear infection that took awhile to clear up, including 2 courses of antibiotics. I continued having hearing issues and my doctor said that I had fluid behind my eardrum and that it would eventually go away as my sinus passages opened and drained. By the end of january all seemed fine. I have noticed lately that when it's completely quiet, (like laying in bed at night) I can hear a ringing in both ears. I don't specifically recall hearing this before the ear infections. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but should I see an ENT before dive season starts up?

 

[DandyDon]

I dunno, but I think you should spend an hour on the equalizing video in my Sig and be sure to use alcohol-vinegar mix in your ears after every dive.

 

[Bubble Chaser]

Thanks Don, my doctor actually advised me on the 50/50 mix as he swears by it. Usually don't have much trouble equalizing, but I'll definately be more observant going forward.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Bubble Chaser,

What you are experiencing is called tinnitus. It's usually described as a ringing noise, but also may present as a high pitched whining, buzzing, hissing, humming, whistling, whooshing, clicking or roaring. It is not uncommon in middle ear infections. The reason you are aware of it at night is that ambient day time noise masks it. Hopefully it will pass.

BTW, since you were diagnosed with fluid behind the eardrum, and it's likely that the infection was in the middle, not external, ear space, the placement of an alcohol-vinegar mix in your external auditory canal will have absolutely no effect upon the middle ear. Such solutions cannot cross an intact eardrum.

Regards,

DocVikingo