Permanent Tinnitus From Ear Infection

Tinnitus is the sense of a sound in the ear with no external cause. MayoClinic describes tinnitus as "phantom noise" ranging from a "low roar to a high squeal" that affects approximately one in five people.

Chronic Tinnitus

• In many cases, tinnitus is temporary. When tinnitus lasts more than six months, it is called chronic tinnitus.

Symptoms

• MayoClinic explains that common symptoms of tinnitus are ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing or whistling sounds in one or both ears.

Incidence

• MedicineNet explains that tinnitus can occur in the outer ear, the middle ear or the inner ear. Tinnitus related to ear infection often occurs in the middle ear, but the exact location of the phantom sound can be difficult to pinpoint.

Middle Ear Infection

• The term "ear infection" usually refers to the swelling, blockage and infection of the small tube behind the eardrum that connects the ear to the throat. According to WebMD, fluid can build up in these tubes during a cold or other sickness, creating "the perfect place for germs to grow and cause infection."

Ear Infection and Tinnitus

• Ear infection causes tinnitus when fluid buildup overfills the eardrum, causing it to rupture.

Long-term Effects

• According to MedicineNet, damage to the eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane, is a cause of tinnitus. In the case of rupture due to ear infection, the membrane usually heals itself. If the eardrum isn't properly repaired, chronic tinnitus may result.