Okay, long story. Try and keep it shortish. For over 35 years I've suffered with multiple yearly ear infections, mainly in the left ear. Also regualr bouts of Tonisilitis and then into my 20's I began having severe and dibilitating lengthy bouts of Vertigo.

My GP's (I'd seen a variety) all assured me that I was simply prone to ear infections and that vertigo could happen to most people at any age and that I was just unlucky to have such serious bouts of the problem. One day, on one of the regular GP visits for a regular prescription of Anti Biotics for the latest ear infection, I was seen by an American GP (I'm british in the UK). She was disgusted by the length of my ENT record on the system and sent me to ENT specialist who sent me for a scan and it turned out I had a Cholesteatoma in my left ear, a significant one at that. I had a 9 hour operation to remove the cholesteatoma which had eaten its way through my ear (hence the vertigo when it eat through the labrynth) and as I was already half deaf in that ear I wasn't bothered that the operation carried a risk of deafness. I was at that time more worried about Tinnitus and vertigo and the Paralyisis of the face risks.

Operation was a success, cholesteatoma successfully removed, hearing still worked, albeit not as well as the right ear and no other complications. Then 2 weeks after the operation, I went to wink at my Daughter and my eye never blinked, I had to go back to hospital for Steroid treatment as I had developed post-op paralysis (delayed) and it toom me 3 months to regain 95% of my facial movements and taste buds which I lost (like a stroke). To date, I've still got a 5% paralysis but it barely notices.

So, many follow ups with ENT after the op because I have to have regualr microsuction on the post-op ear to remove the healing goo and fluid that builds up in the now massive ear cavity I have. I was making reasonable progress but was being hindered by constant repeating ear infections following any little cold and of course, after my regular and continuing bouts of tonsilitis. My ENT has now got me on the list for a Tonsilectomy (I'm 37 years old so I'm told this will be painful/long recovery) but I still keep getting ear infections in the post op ear. My ENT seems to think my Eustacian tube on that side is a bit duff and so I keep getting it blocked which infects the healing inner ear and drum. I take Otomise ear spray and Nasonex to help but I've recently had another heavy cold (the joys of having kids bringing germs to you all the time) and I currently have the worst bout of deafness and Tinnitus I've ever had.

The ringing is driving me to distraction and I can hear it over loud music (my usual tactic is to leave radio on at night to fall to sleep) and I'm struggling to put up with it. I'm finding myself becoming increasingly anxious, frustrated and irritable. My kids think I'm a monster and my wife is fed up with my mood swings which are all because I'm so grumpy with this flaming ear.

I've tried Friars Balsam and Olbus steam inhalers, Sudafed sprays and pills, breathing exercises (in through the bad ear's nostril and out through the good) but it won't clear and rings at an alarm bell high pitch like a jet engine. The ear also feels 'full'. My latest GP is not really interested "tinnitus, nothing can be done" and my ENT is not available for unscheduled visits, the next one being when I have the tonsils out.

Please, is there anyone on this discussion board that has any advice for me about coping with this. I'm becoming really quite down and depressed about the whole thing and wonder seriously if I could have an operation to remove my 'hearing equipment' from that ear so that I'm tone deaf in the left ear just to be rid of the prblems once and for all.

Help? Thanks x