Can Sinusitis cause Tinnitus? How does it cause it? What can you do to seek relief from Tinnitus caused by a sinus infection? Let’s explore.
How does Sinusitis cause Tinnitus?
Sinusitis is also known as Rhinosinusitis or Rhinitis. It affects the para-nasal cavities that are found behind your nose and surrounding areas of the face. Your sinuses are usually filled with air and a thin layer of mucus secretions. The mucus prevents dust, bacteria or pollutants from harming the sinus cavities. However, when you have an allergy or an infection, your body’s mucus production goes into overdrive. This is a defense mechanism by your body to fight off allergens or bacteria or viruses that are causing the infection.
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When fluid builds up in your sinus cavities, the sinus congestion affects your Eustachian tube. This is a small but very important tube that connects your middle ear to your outer ear. It’s primary purpose is to regulate the pressure in the inner ear according to environmental pressure outside.
However, when this tube is blocked or congested, the pressure in your inner ear goes haywire. This is why your ears feel full when you have an episode of sinusitis. You can also feel these pressure changes when you blow your nose. If your Eustachian tube is blocked up, you will feel the pressure travel right into your ear drums. This phenomenon is described as acute barotrauma. This condition is usually brought on by activities like diving, snorkeling or scuba diving. But, a bad case of Sinusitis can also cause it.
Erratic pressure in the ear canal can cause both the inner ear and middle ear to malfunction. Impaired hearing, Tinnitus and even Vertigo can therefore result as a symptom of Sinusitis.
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In certain rare cases, Sinusitis can also cause Pulsatile Tinnitus. This is a type of Tinnitus where you hear an amplified sound of your heart beat or even hear the flow of blood into your ears.
How long does Tinnitus caused by Sinusitis last?
A bout of Sinusitis typically lasts about 7-10 days. Tinnitus caused by Sinusitis usually comes on 2-3 days after your Sinus infection hits. Tinnitus caused by Sinusitis usually lasts about 7-10 days or until you feel less stuffy. If both your Tinnitus and Sinusitis persist beyond 10 days, it is usually a sign that you need to seek medical help. Please however bear in mind that Sinusitis can sometimes last as long as two to four weeks, before naturally resolving itself.
Also, if your sinusitis lasts for 12 weeks or more and has a tendency to come back 3 or more times a year, you are most probably suffering from chronic Sinusitis.
Sinusitis and Tinnitus Treatment Options
Treating Tinnitus caused by Sinusitis will require treatment or management of Sinusitis. Sinusitis is usually treated in one or more of the following ways.
Medication
Depending on what triggered your Sinusitis, your doctor could prescribe you a cycle of antibiotics. There are plenty of OTC medications available for Sinusitis as well. Decongestant nasal sprays are very commonly bought and used to relieve Sinus congestion. When using such sprays, please only use them for 3 days. Prolonged use can actually make Sinusitis much worse in the long run. There’s a few anecdotal references to Flonase helping with Tinnitus.
Antihistamines like Benadryl can also provide relief from congestion. There is some confusion on the Internet about whether Benadryl can cause Tinnitus. Benadryl dries out the mucus in your Sinus cavities. If you had very heavy congestion, this drying out or hardening of mucus can cause increased stuffiness that can potentially worsen Tinnitus. But, Benadryl largely only helps with Tinnitus. Learn more about Tinnitus and antihistamines here.
It is not uncommon for Sinusitis to be accompanied by headaches and even joint pain. OTC pain killers like Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen can help provide relief in such cases.
Oral Steroids
Very severe cases of Sinusitis that last beyond 10 days might sometimes require the intake of oral steroids. Only your doctor can decide if this treatment option will be good for you. Flonase for example is often used to seek Tinnitus relief.
Balloon Sinuplasty
This is a outpatient surgical procedure where a catheter is carefully inserted into the sinus cavity. Using an endoscope, an Otolaryngologist will then insert an elongated balloon into your sinus cavity. The balloon is then inflated for about 3-5 seconds. The temporary inflation allows for mucus that was previously stuck to quickly start draining, as nasal passages are opened.
The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes, with each side of the nose taking 10 minutes each. Patients who undergo Balloon Sinuplasty usually experience immediate relief from both Sinusitis and Tinnitus, if they were good potential candidates for the procedure.
Surgery
Extremely congested nasal cavities will unfortunately require surgery to resolve. Surgery is usually required when people suffer from a chronic case of Sinusitis.
Home Remedies for Tinnitus caused by Sinusitis
The following home remedies can help relieve your Sinusitis condition. This can potentially give you relief from Tinnitus.
Neti Pot Irrigation
This is a simple procedure where you can use a Neti Pot filled with warm saline water to flush out your sinus cavities. Gently insert the neti pot’s spout into one of your nostril and keep your mouth open as you let the water gently stream into your nose. You must of course do this over a sink. The water will flow through your sinus cavities and come out of your other nostril and mouth. Repeat for the other nostril. Use only sterile or distilled water for this, to avoid risk of infection from the water.
Vicks
Good old Vicks Vaporub can provide excellent relief from Sinusitis and Tinnitus. Menthol and camphor act as decongestants. You just need to apply a smear below your nostrils. Never rub Vicks into your nose or ears. Read more about how Vicks can help with Tinnitus here.
Sleep
A good night’s sleep can help your body resolve Sinusitis on its own. Try to sleep with your head and shoulders in an elevated position if you can. It also helps if you use your less stuffy side of the face to rest on your pillow. Melatonin might help you sleep well and get relief from both Tinnitus and Sinusitis.
Steam
Steam can help loosen up and thin out mucus discharge that will allow for better drainage. A little Vicks under your nostril before you steam will also allow the decongestant agents in Vicks like menthol and camphor to go further into your nasal cavities. Again, be sure to only use sterile water for steaming.
How to avoid Tinnitus caused by Sinusitis?
If you get Tinnitus because of Sinusitis once, you will probably get it again. Take the following measures to reduce this possibility, as much as you can.
Stop smoking
Smoking is known to aggravate Sinusitis infections. It also increases your chances of developing Sinusitis and Tinnitus.
Avoid allergic triggers
Try to find out what allergens kickstart a bout of Sinusitis and Tinnitus in you. Allergens can be dust, pollen or even commonly used cleaning chemicals.
Wash your hands often
Practice good hand hygiene. We touch our faces almost 20 to 40 times in a hour and virus and bacteria on our hands can easily enter our nasal cavities. Frequent hand washing will prevent this. This is particularly relevant in the Covid-19 times we live in now.
Humidify air if it is too dry
Very dry air can sometimes make your mucus membranes susceptible to infection. If you live in very dry regions, a humidifier can do you a world of good.
We hope we have given you enough information to help you understand, manage and hopefully treat Tinnitus caused by Sinusitis.
