I dont know much about tinnitus, but I know a bit about outer ear infections as that is something I have been bothered with quite a bit up through my life.

If you really have an ear infection you will have to see a doctor who can deal with that. My experience is that a GP is not always competent to handle this, I often see a ear/nose/throat speacialist.

Outer ear infection can be both bacterial and or fungus. In my case it used to be both bacterial and fungus, but lately it has been more fungus infections. In any case if you have an outer ear infection your outer ear canal will need to be cleaned using a small suction tube and then the doc usually apply something antibacterial/antifungus cream in your ear. This treatment might need to be repeated a few times until the infection wears off.

To prevent a new infection it can be a good idea to use a tad of anti fungus or antibacterial cream on the earplugs you use just before you insert them. Maybe not everyday, that will create too much «stuff» in your ear, but maybe every second day or every third day. I have also used a tad of Hydrocortison cream (a mild anti inflammatory cream) on the earplugs every second day or so when I insert them into the ear. And that was an advise I got from a ear specialist doc. It works like a charm for me....

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....