Question: I have had persistent/chronic tinnitus for about 18 months, there was no apparent reason for this. I saw an ENT specialist but he said as the tinnitus was in both ears it would not be anything serious. he said there was no point in any investigations as there was no treatment for it and he told me to "ignore it"!
It have kind of learned to live with it and it has remained stable, no increase or decrease in the noise. But two weeks ago after weeks of having a cough (probably viral infection), I woke up with extreme pain in my left ear, throbbing noise and inflammation around my jaw. I recognised it as an ear infection because I had a few ear infections approx 12 years ago. GP said to wait 3 days and if no change to start a 5 day course of Amoxycillin which I took.
The majority of the ear pain and the swollen glands went down within a few days; but three weeks later I still have louder tinnitus than before, both general whistling/ringing and pulsatile tinnitus.
Went to see my GP today, he looked at my eardrum and said it was no longer red and inflamed but it looked dull and he could see a scab which is probably from a perforation. He said no point in taking any more antibiotics and has referred me to ENT Specialist, but I will probably have to wait for weeks.
My question is in two parts. Firstly, I would like a scan of my ear to see if there is any deformity to try and diagnose the tinnitus, maybe there is fluid that could be drained. If I am fobbed off again I won't get one but I think it is a reasonable request - I don't know if there are any other tests that would be useful. Secondly, I am worried sick that my tinnitus will not reduce to it's previous level; it is the most awful thing to live with and I get very upset about it, it is ruining my life. But I suppose the tinnitus may return to normal once the perforation heals and any fluid dries up?
Your advice will be appreciated.

Thank you doctor, sorry you are a fellow sufferer of this horrible condition.
I googled auditory neuroma, don't think I have this as I don't have any other symptoms, I forgot to say in my question that I don't have any hearing loss.

If I have fluid/gunk in my ear, would that show up on a scan? And any problems with the bones in my ear, would that show?

I am wondering if the tinnitus could be related to thyroid dysfunction. I have hypopituitarism so therefore am hypothyroid. I have been taking levothyroxine for approx 40 years, I occasionally have blood tests to check my levels but my endocrine specialist says that the tests are not particularly reliable. I am wondering whether altering the dose I take would have any effect on the tinnitus or not at this stage.

Thanks.

There is much on the internet about a link with thyroid dysfunction and tinnitus, but it is very difficult to get to the bottom of this. There is also talk that certain medications can cause it to including anti depressants.
Usually, when someone has something wrong with them, the cause can be diagnosed and treatment can be considered. I find it very frustrating that this doesn't apply to tinnitus.
I do use sound therapy to help to mask the noise, but it is still making me quite distressed and worried.
I just hope that the increase in volume will go back down again and I can get my life back.