Tinnitus has become unbearable since I've had a cold. Will it go back to "normal"?

[charl0tteBronteSaurus]

I've had mild tinnitus since my early twenties, but it's very manageable.
I've had a cold for a few days, and woke up this morning with blocked ears, and tinnitus in my left ear so loud that I can hardly hear anything else. It's awful. I assume the worsening is due to the cold, but how long will it take to get better?

I sympathise. My tinnitus fluctuates madly. Some days it is really noticeable, like today. Some days it's so loud I struggle with conversation. Very occasionally it isn't there at all. These days are all too rare. On the whole though, it's a constant whine, like a tetchy four year old.

With tinnitus there is no norm. It varies from person to person, and from day to day.

thank you, and sorry to hear you have to put up with it as well.
I'm now in quite a lot of pain, so assuming it's an ear infection. will get the GP to have a look if it's no better soon.

In all likelihood it'll be fine once your ears are unblocked. Your ears being blocked means your hearing isn't as good and so your tinnitus feels enhanced because of the lack of sound enrichment. I know it feels awful but try not to dwell on it too much because you'll then enter a cycle of noticing it, enhancing it, noticing it more etc. Play some of your favourite music and do as much as you can to distract your ears and brain.

Hope you get better soon. : ) If it doesn't then do chat to your GP/audiologist.

Its crap isnt it?

I've had it for 6 yrs now and will never improve (damage due to too many loud gigs!) When its bad I go completely deaf for up to 3 hours but on a day to day basis I can cope with mine if I have background noise. I HATE silence much to the chagrin of my DW,

DOnt get colds so have no idea if it would make it worse but hopefully yours will settle once you recover.

Good luck

bloody gigs, eh? they were what did for me, too.
the DC are NEVER going to be allowed to watch live music.

I'm pushing 50 and off to see Spiritulized soon. Wont stop me! DD went to see the Human league at 9 months and has seen a few other gigs at festivals since. So hope she will be taking me to gigs in my dotage

it transpires I have a perforated eardrum
the GP reckons it will get back to "normal" but could take a good while yet