Tinnitus just started 3 days ago! Help

38M- About 4 weeks ago I came down with a sinus infection that sent me to the doc on my birthday that also came with an ear infection my first one ever I think. Some mild pressure. Nothing crazy painful. But annoying. I went to urgent care (not my favorite) but needed meds. Stressing through out but made it.
On the last day of my antibiotic (10days) I saw an ENT because I still was feeling pressure and pain sensations still & she said my ear looks beautiful and so do my sinuses. Sinuses were slightly congested and swollen still but no infection or drainage.
Well wouldn’t you freaking know it. The next 24 hours that ear pain completely vanishes. Typical.

However about two days ago which is now ten days after I saw that ENT. Around 8pm I get out of the shower and I notice I have ringing in that ear (left ear) the one that was infected. But it’s funny earlier that morning I was really very stressed and angry at a situation. So much so that I felt it throughout my entire body. I had to walk outside and breathe.

In short it has not stopped and while I didn’t freak out at first it’s now ramping up my anxiety and in turn the volume. Sleep last night was terrible. But the night before it was fine. Which is making me obsess and fear loop. It’s such a weird thing cuz there’s no pain. It’s just the lack of control that’s maddening or not knowing when it will quiet down again.

I’ve had my fair share of TMS pain through out my life. But ringing in the ears was never an issue. Until about a few years ago where I finally noticed it and got really anxious but was fine again after a few weeks.

My life style and diet has not been great as of late. Job is stressful. Life. Definitely past trauma I’ll forever be working at. Falling asleep on my couch in terrible positions and probs wreaking havoc on my neck and back. But still no pain. So yeah..

But this one presently is getting to me. (Tinnitus)
I've overcome every TMS thing thrown at me.
Yet each time something happens you wonder if you’ll beat it again. I’ve tried to refrain from googling and reading other peoples stories. I just feel bad currently.
Like if I listen for it gets worse it seems.
It’s just trying to be positive and distracted that’s hard.

Any ear warriors out there?
It’s hard to know whether something is TMS or the result of a post illness situation. I even said it to my partner the other day prior to my ear ringing. I was like “I feel too tense. Something is bound to happen here shortly.” Sure as shit it did. Lol
would love to “hear” from you!

Thank you friends!

J

 

Tinnitus is a very common TMS symptom. For me, it is also very contagious. I can just read about someone having it and develop it for a while. But, hey, this time so far I haven't "caught" it. (Fingers crossed.)

Ignore it. Go about your life. Immerse in enjoyable absorbing activities. It will go away the same as your other TMS symptoms.

 

Huge huge clue! Keep journaling this out. Explore it very deeply. Your whole body felt it! This is big. Your ear wants to distract you from this.

 

I have infrequent bouts of tinnitus but I have tmjd and have nearly 24/7 clicking/crackling/crunching in my ears going on for several months, I get it, shit sucks. even being TMS aware for months now, I still have moments of getting lost in the sensations, I had a horrific night last night and this morning a few minutes of panic like you say of not having control to stop the sounds and noises, and my mind wanders to what these sounds could indicate (structural damage, a life of pain, doom and gloom etc). My reaction was the wrong one. And while today has been tough I continue to catch myself and remind myself that just a few days ago I was on the beach playing volleyball and my jaw wasn’t a thought on my mind. When we get a new symptom or a flare of an established one it’s super easy to be thrust into a panic and launch into this being forever. It isn’t, but we are going to have to do some work to prove that to our brain and ourselves. Everyone has already given great suggestions, just want to add that talking to my brain is always super helpful, welcoming the sensation to come along as I do whatever I have to or want to do. Affirming to myself my strength and resilience that I’ll get through this. Every sensation gets better when I’m friend and ally and lifting myself up, every sensation hangs around at a higher level for longer than necessary when I’m dooming or shitting on myself for the life decisions that led me here. And almost invariably there’s some stress that leads to flare or new symptoms, whether that’s stress from how we react to illness/injury or life stress or trauma buried within us. Leading up to my flare last night I spent a few days ruminating how much I hurt my ex partner by being a toxic avoidant POS, and then beating myself up for being too weak to control these looping thoughts. What good did that cruelty towards myself do? It’s no wonder I get a flare to distract from the self criticism.

it gets better but it’s up to us to create that reality and start noticing and addressing our thoughts and behaviors that fuel these distractions.

and rereading this post I realize it may come across as alarming or increase your fear-look at me dealing with this bullshit for months, that could be your future- not at all my intent! When I first got TMJ back in February 2025 I was TMS aware but barely, TMj was my 3rd significant symptom in my full on meltdown, and I wasn’t well versed enough to see it as symptom imperative. So I obsessed, went to drs and made a huge issue out of something that should’ve resolved in a few weeks, I was terrified. Wasn’t until Augustish that I really started applying TMS concepts to my jaw. So kudos to you for coming here within just a few days of getting tinnitus and having the intuition to buy into all this. You get to write your own story, and I have a feeling it will be shorter than mine!