Q. My wife has a problem with noise in her right ear. The noise is so constant that it affects her ability to sleep. It started several years ago when she was treated for the flu. The doctor prescribed a strong antibiotic and the noise started the same night and has not gone away.
When we spoke with doctors they said this is part of the aging process and nothing can be done. An audiologist suggested putting the radio on between stations to generate “white noise.” It sure would be great if any of your readers told you of a cure.
A. Many things can cause tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears). Exposure to loud noise can damage the tiny hair cells inside the ear and trigger tinnitus. Various medical conditions like high blood pressure and infection can also cause it. Dozens of medications, including aspirin and certain antibiotics can also lead to this problem.
There is no magic bullet to cure ringing in the ears. Some folks benefit from white noise, while others find it annoying. There are “retraining” programs that help some people cope with tinnitus.
Although the FDA has not approved any medications to treat tinnitus, a small study suggested that misoprostol (Cytotec), a drug used to protect the digestive tract from ulcers, reduced symptoms (Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, May 2004).
