About Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. Expertise I am a Board Certified Doctor of Audiology with 25 years of experience. I can answer questions regarding hearing loss, both general and specific, dizziness and vertigo, auditory processing disorders, hearing aids, aural rehabilitation as well as specialized audiologic testing, i.e., Auditory Brainstem Response, VideoNystagmography, Otoacoutic Emissions. I have worked with both pediatric and adult populations. Because of my extensive musical background, I am able to respond to questions regarding the special needs of musicians.
Experience I have been an audiologist for over 25 years with a specialty in electrophysiology of the auditory and vestibular systems and pediatric evaluations. I currently work in my private consulting practice providing services to nursing homes and schools. My Doctoral research was on specialized techniques in Auditory Brainstem Responses.
Organizations American Academy of Audiology, -
American Speech Language Hearing Association, -
Hearing Loss Association of America
Education/Credentials Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology), Nova Southeastern University, 2000.
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology (American Board of Audiology)
Certificate in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Question I did a stupid thing four weeks ago. I dipped a cotton swab in cayenne pepper tincture (made from Habanero pepper) and tree tea oil and put it in my ear to get rid of a persistent itch about mid-way in the right ear canal. I treat new eczema spots with cayenne pepper tincture, tree tea oil, and lotion which always worked for me.
I had an ear ache and right-side neck ache for about 15 minutes that rated about 8 out of 10 on the pain scale. After that I was fine for the evening and the next day. But at the start of the second day, I started feeling dizzy. I was fortunate to make it home after work. Soon after, the room was spinning wildly and I threw up a number of times.
After about a week, I was able to walk but like a drunken sailor. Soon I was able to drive but it was like if I didn’t have any sleep for a couple of days. I had about a few minutes of stability after two weeks but it has been over a week since my last fleeting stable moment.
The mild drunken feeling is still constant. After reading quite a bit, I figure that the cayenne pepper has inflamed my inner ear nerves. I need to point out that I had German Measles when I was 9 months old and I wear a hearing aid in the same right ear. I’ve noticed that hearing in my right ear has improved a little bit. So I guess the auditory nerve is a bit more sensitive due to the inflammation but the same inflammation is negatively affecting the nerves to the vestibular part of the right inner ear causing mixed signals with the left inner ear.
I did a sucker punch to my poor right ear and it appears that inner ear nerves take quite a while to get over a shock as this. Soooooo….my question is: In your experience and research, how long does inflammation of the inner ear nerves usually last or wear off before returning to normal?
Thanks for your time.
Answer Hi Timothy,
Don't add to your mistake. Go to an Ear specialist/ENT and have your ear and neural systems checked by a professional. And from now on, no more peppers in your ears.
Hope this helps.
Dr. Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology
