Many people who experience ringing or buzzing in their ears alongside an earache wonder if the two symptoms are connected. An outer ear infection, typically known as Swimmer’s Ear, can indeed be the source of a noise perception disorder like Tinnitus. The physical changes that occur during Swimmer’s Ear can temporarily affect the auditory system, leading to the perception of sound when none is present. This article explores the direct link between these conditions and what happens as the infection clears.
Understanding Swimmer’s Ear and Tinnitus
Swimmer’s Ear, medically termed Otitis Externa, is an infection or inflammation affecting the ear canal, the passage running from the outside of the head to the eardrum. This condition is frequently caused by water remaining in the ear after swimming, which creates a warm, moist environment where bacteria or fungi can thrive. The resulting infection leads to painful swelling, redness, and sometimes discharge.
Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ears or head without an external source, often described as a ringing, buzzing, hissing, or roaring. Tinnitus is a symptom, not a disease itself, arising from a disruption somewhere along the auditory pathway.
The Causal Link Between Outer Ear Infection and Tinnitus
Swimmer’s Ear can induce tinnitus because the infection creates a physical obstruction within the ear canal, directly impacting how sound reaches the inner ear. The inflammation and swelling of the skin lining the ear canal, combined with accumulated fluid or debris, partially or completely block this pathway. This blockage causes a feeling of pressure and fullness inside the ear.
The blockage dampens the transmission of external sound waves to the eardrum, resulting in muffled hearing or temporary conductive hearing loss. This reduced input of external sound is a known trigger for the brain to increase its own internal noise, which is experienced as tinnitus.
Treating the Infection to Resolve Tinnitus
The primary goal of treatment is to clear the Otitis Externa. Medical treatment for Swimmer’s Ear usually involves prescription ear drops containing antibiotics to fight the infection and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling. Use these drops exactly as prescribed, even if symptoms begin to improve quickly.
If ear canal swelling is severe, a physician may insert a small sponge, called a wick, into the canal to allow medicated drops to reach the infected tissue. Throughout treatment, keep the affected ear as dry as possible, avoiding swimming and covering the ear during showering. As the swelling subsides, the blockage is relieved, and the associated tinnitus typically resolves on its own.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many cases of Swimmer’s Ear and its associated tinnitus are treatable with prescription ear drops, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. These could be signs of a more advanced infection spreading beyond the ear canal or a different underlying condition. Seek prompt medical assessment if you experience:
- Severe, worsening pain that radiates to the face or neck.
- A fever.
- Discharge from the ear that is thick, bloody, or foul-smelling.
- Tinnitus or hearing loss that persists long after the infection has been treated.
Tinnitus that lasts for weeks or months after treatment, or sudden, significant hearing loss, may indicate a more serious underlying condition requiring specialized care from an ear, nose, and throat doctor.