OT: hearing loss/tinnitis

[YeOldeCup]

Haven't had a hearing test for a very long time, but began experiencing tinnitis about a decade ago, and I'm definitely experiencing some hearing loss.

Been reading online reviews on local ENT and hearing specialists/practices, but the reviews haven't been that helpful. For those who may have one or both of these conditions and have sought help, do you have any recommendations (or warnings) for my search?

TIA.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

I've had tinnitus my entire life. It runs in my family, and I don't ever "hear" silence. I've learned to live with it by having white noise in the background (i.e. sleep with fan at night and keep small USB fan at desk during work), but sometimes it's annoying.

 

[YeOldeCup]

I've had tinnitus my entire life. It runs in my family, and I don't ever "hear" silence. I've learned to live with it by having white noise in the background (i.e. sleep with fan at night and keep small USB fan at desk during work), but sometimes it's annoying.

I've used a white noise machine for a long time and don't have any problems sleeping, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to understand people in very quiet (church) and very noisy (restaurant) settings.

 

[RTRMR]

Are you experiencing any dizziness?
If you are, it could be an 8th cranial nerve acoustic neuroma/schwannoma.
Might wanna ask doc for a brain MRI, attn: CNVIII, to ensure there are no benign nerve sheath tumors(which may be causing your symptoms).
Nerve sheath neuromas are often very slow growing.

 

[YeOldeCup]

Are you experiencing any dizziness?
If you are, it could be an 8th cranial nerve acoustic neuroma/schwannoma

No, nothing like that. Just getting old... I hit the big 6-0 next spring.

 

[RTRMR]

No, nothing like that. Just getting old... I hit the big 6-0 next spring.

You suffering from CRS, yet?

 

[PSU-Knocker]

"8th cranial nerve acoustic neuroma/schwannoma"

A what? Is that a thing>

 

[YeOldeCup]

You suffering from CRS, yet?

Thankfully no!

 

[Carl Spackler]

No specific dizziness I associate with tinnitus. The constant ringing in mine was a result of being subjected to a loud noise in a working environment over a period of eight consecutive hours w/o hearing protection (in 1972 on a family farm). I don't think I'd have the condition if not for the damage incurred. Whether that makes a difference I do not know. I have never sought treatment for it.

In general I block out the sound through ignoring it, only mentally acknowledge the sound when I think of it, which is now due to this thread. I can tell if I strain or overdo something as the pitch rises, an octave at times. Hope you can find some help. It is a miserable condition when it you cannot tune it out.

 

[PSU Soupy]

No, nothing like that. Just getting old... I hit the big 6-0 next spring.

Hearing is the second thing to go.

 

[Indian rocks rich]

Haven't had a hearing test for a very long time, but began experiencing tinnitis about a decade ago, and I'm definitely experiencing some hearing loss.

Been reading online reviews on local ENT and hearing specialists/practices, but the reviews haven't been that helpful. For those who may have one or both of these conditions and have sought help, do you have any recommendations (or warnings) for my search?

TIA.

I have ringing in my ears from using hammer drills over the years i know its there all the time but it is not bothering me yet. I can sleep. Was hoping it would subside eventually. I make sure i have ear plugs in all the time when using tools

 

[Fayette_LION]

Haven't had a hearing test for a very long time, but began experiencing tinnitis about a decade ago, and I'm definitely experiencing some hearing loss.

Been reading online reviews on local ENT and hearing specialists/practices, but the reviews haven't been that helpful. For those who may have one or both of these conditions and have sought help, do you have any recommendations (or warnings) for my search?

TIA.

Ears are ringing as I sit here and type. Doctors say to put other noise on to distract you. Twice last month I woke up in the middle of the night and thought my smoke detectors were alarming. It was just my tinnitus ringing so loud it woke me. PITA. Not much that anyone can do is what I hear.

 

[Virginia Lion]

I experienced tinnitus for a long time. Finally went for a hearing test and there was definite hearing loss shown in both ears. I got hearing aids and hear very well now and the hearing aids have eliminated my tinnitus, which does not happen with everyone but did for me. Most people do not realize I even have hearing aids. People who do notice think I am wearing a blue tooth device ( thank you millenials for that cover). Most significant difference is that my hearing is far better when in conference rooms with high ceilings for meetings. I really struggled before.

 

[LemonEars]

Haven't had a hearing test for a very long time, but began experiencing tinnitis about a decade ago, and I'm definitely experiencing some hearing loss.

Been reading online reviews on local ENT and hearing specialists/practices, but the reviews haven't been that helpful. For those who may have one or both of these conditions and have sought help, do you have any recommendations (or warnings) for my search?

TIA.

In 2004 I was sitting at work and instantaneously lost all hearing in my right ear and started to experience tinnitus. I also had some balance problems - vertigo. The ringing drove me nuts since I couldn't sleep. I went for 10 days with very little sleep and was at my wits end. An ENT talked me into an MRI and the cause of the problem was found. It was a 2.2 cm acoustic neuroma (brain tumor attached to the acoustic nerve that goes from my right ear to the brain). I had it treated with a high dose of radiation (gamma knife). The tumor is still there but not growing. I still have no right ear hearing and I still have tinnitus. However, I am so used to the tinnitus that I don't notice it and it doesn't affect me in any way. The hearing loss is only a problem in high noise environments where my good ear gets overwhelmed and I can't hear people when they talk to me.

Acoustic neuromas are slow growing but need to be detected and treated (via radiation or surgery). They grow toward your brain stem. If they ever reach the brain stem you are toast.

 

[PSU1282]

Haven't had a hearing test for a very long time, but began experiencing tinnitis about a decade ago, and I'm definitely experiencing some hearing loss.

Been reading online reviews on local ENT and hearing specialists/practices, but the reviews haven't been that helpful. For those who may have one or both of these conditions and have sought help, do you have any recommendations (or warnings) for my search?

TIA.

Please don't laugh. This really happened to me. Suffered from Tinnitis for years. One day I'm walking along the sidewalk and a little brown moth flies into my ear and gets stuck. He keeps buzzing in my ear until I pulled him out. He was still alive and flew some distance before crashing. I instantly realized the Tinnitis was gone! I'm dead serious. I tried to contact Georgetown Medical to tell them what happened but they never returned the call. I was thinking that if you put a tuning fork against the ear bone ,it could duplicate the experience. I know t sounds crazy but it really happened. I never had a problem since.

 

[Obliviax]

Haven't had a hearing test for a very long time, but began experiencing tinnitis about a decade ago, and I'm definitely experiencing some hearing loss.

Been reading online reviews on local ENT and hearing specialists/practices, but the reviews haven't been that helpful. For those who may have one or both of these conditions and have sought help, do you have any recommendations (or warnings) for my search?

TIA.

 

[YeOldeCup]

She and I would be perfect for each other.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

I've used a white noise machine for a long time and don't have any problems sleeping, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to understand people in very quiet (church) and very noisy (restaurant) settings.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I'm admittedly still young and haven't experienced noticeable hearing loss yet. That said, my father and grandfather experienced fairly significant hearing loss by age 50, and both had tinnitus.

 

[YeOldeCup]

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I'm admittedly still young and haven't experienced noticeable hearing loss yet. That said, my father and grandfather experienced fairly significant hearing loss by age 50, and both had tinnitus.

I turn 60 in the spring. My father also suffered from tinnitus, but never sought treatment. I plan on working as long as I can and this has become increasingly challenging.

 

[JJTopp99]

Haven't had a hearing test for a very long time, but began experiencing tinnitis about a decade ago, and I'm definitely experiencing some hearing loss.

Been reading online reviews on local ENT and hearing specialists/practices, but the reviews haven't been that helpful. For those who may have one or both of these conditions and have sought help, do you have any recommendations (or warnings) for my search?

TIA.

Some, like myself, cannot tolerate what would normally be a safe daily dose of Vitamin E (400 IU) containing natural d-alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols. I can only take one 400 IU gel cap every ten days or so without triggering very "loud" tinnitus. You can do a Google search if you like (Vitamin E and tinnitus) and likely you will find others talking about this on discussion boards. This vitamin E induced tinnitus is probably not common, however.

By the way, there are eight forms of Vitamin E (all essential). The Vitamin E you find in drugs stores, Walmart and grocery stores are usually the synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol, devoid of the other seven forms of E. "Complete" Vitamin E contains the four aforementioned tocopherols plus the four other forms of Vitamin E (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocotrienols). However, research reveals that the tocopherols interfere with either the absorption or functionality of the tocotrienol forms so they should be taken separately at least six hours apart.

Studies of Vitamin E that have resulted in negative conclusions have been criticized harshly because almost all of them contain just the cheap singular dl-alpha tocopherol form of Vitamin E (in other words "drug store Vitamin E"). Taking this form of Vitamin E solely as a supplement results in a possible deleterious imbalance in the other seven forms of Vitamin E.

Tocotrienol forms of E possess powerful neuroprotective, anti-cancer and cholesterol lowering properties that are often not exhibited by tocopherols. Current developments in vitamin E research clearly indicate that members of the vitamin E family are not redundant with respect to their biological functions.

At nanomolar concentration, alpha-tocotrienol, not alpha-tocopherol, prevents neurodegeneration. On a concentration basis, this finding represents the most potent of all biological functions exhibited by any natural vitamin E molecule.

 

[JJTopp99]

Please don't laugh. This really happened to me. Suffered from Tinnitis for years. One day I'm walking along the sidewalk and a little brown moth flies into my ear and gets stuck. He keeps buzzing in my ear until I pulled him out. He was still alive and flew some distance before crashing. I instantly realized the Tinnitis was gone! I'm dead serious. I tried to contact Georgetown Medical to tell them what happened but they never returned the call. I was thinking that if you put a tuning fork against the ear bone ,it could duplicate the experience. I know t sounds crazy but it really happened. I never had a problem since.

Well, that does it, come next spring I'm going to stuff my ears with any months that I manage to catch. Maybe leave them in there overnight to maximize their effectiveness.

 

[BlueBand]

I’ve had tinnitus since high school, and was told nothing could be done. I used to only hear it when in a quiet room, and have adjusted to it. I also have trouble making out individual voices in a bar or restaurant that has a lot of people talking. Recently it suddenly got worse and I hear it all the time now. Just went to an ENT as I was told by my regular doctor that depending on the cause (if they can pinpoint it), they may be able to lessen it. So in a couple of weeks I’m having a head MRI and hearing test, and we’ll go from there.

 

[YeOldeCup]

I’ve had tinnitus since high school, and was told nothing could be done. I used to only hear it when in a quiet room, and have adjusted to it. I also have trouble making out individual voices in a bar or restaurant that has a lot of people talking. Recently it suddenly got worse and I hear it all the time now. Just went to an ENT as I was told by my regular doctor that depending on the cause (if they can pinpoint it), they may be able to lessen it. So in a couple of weeks I’m having a head MRI and hearing test, and we’ll go from there.

Please keep me posted. I will let you know what I am told as well.

 

[RU31trap]

I was 51 years old when I heard this noise in my car. I immediately put the windows up and down to make sure they were completely shut. The noise didn't go away and in time I figured out that I had a problem, a serious one. The noise in my head was similar to an old TV with the volume all the way up with no audio, that's the best way I can explain what I hear. I immediately went to an ENT and he put me on prednisone (moderate side effects) for 10 days. Nothing changed, still have the noise in my head. The only time my brain relaxes is when I sleep. I'm now 55 and my hearing is slowly deteriorating as well.

 

[bluewhiteApos]

I have it due to combat. Most of the time it is just low in the back ground. I’ll have to see the effects as I age. I’m currently 43.

 

[BudatPSU]

My wife frequently accuses me of having hearing loss, and tells me I should go for a hearing test. However I am not worried because I know it really is just selective hearing loss, like it comes and goes when she speaks sometimes.

 

[delcoLion]

Haven't had a hearing test for a very long time, but began experiencing tinnitis about a decade ago, and I'm definitely experiencing some hearing loss.

Been reading online reviews on local ENT and hearing specialists/practices, but the reviews haven't been that helpful. For those who may have one or both of these conditions and have sought help, do you have any recommendations (or warnings) for my search?

TIA.

There is no cure yet. My cardiologist tells me that aspirin can make it worse but I have to take aspirin as part of my daily medications.

Mine wasn’t too bad until about 6 or 7 years ago and then I went to a TransSiberian Orchestra show at the Wells Fargo center in So Philly. I haven’t been the same since. Show was good, though.

 

[AvalonJohn]

I've had tinnitus my entire life. It runs in my family, and I don't ever "hear" silence. I've learned to live with it by having white noise in the background (i.e. sleep with fan at night and keep small USB fan at desk during work), but sometimes it's annoying.

Sounds like me, had it my whole life and sleep with a fan. When I travel I bring a portable fan. When I'm busy or having a conversation I don't hear it. As a kid I would tell my parents and the doctors about ringing in my ears, but I guess it wasn't as know 50 years ago?

 

[PSULionsDub]

I have had tinnitus for the past two years in my right ear which has resulted in some hearing loss. The tinnitus is a low, constant white noise that I hear all day. Some days the volume of the white noise is louder than others. Luckily I hear out of my left ear fine. Two years ago, I went through the whole MRI scan process and everything checked out fine. Should I go back for another MRI scan to make sure that there has been no growth within my head? Last week, my ENT told me to start taking LipoFlavinoid. The ENT said he has had enough people say the tinnitus has decreased in volume through taking the LipoFlavinoid, but he did say to make sure that I take the LipoFlavinoid for a couple of months before I conclude on whether it helped me or not.

 

[Metal Mike]

Never had tinnitus, but experienced a loss of hearing and had trouble hearing people talk and hearing conversations on TV and at the movies. I got a very comprehensive hearing test from the VA. This test included having the tester say words and having me repeat them back. I got hearing aids and now I can make out conversations. One issue is the hearing test showed I had high frequency hearing loss. May have been due to me flying helicopters for 20 years in the Army and may be due to old age ( 70). In any case nothing can be done for loss of frequency range. Like a dog whistle I can no longer hear in that range. Female voices are in general more in the high frequency range. So I can not hear my wife sometimes. May be selective hearing loss not sure.

 

[mdking001]

I have had tinnitus for many years. I have had 2 MRIs to make sure it isn't something else. I had balance issues last spring and went to PT to learn stretches and ways to strengthen neck/shoulder/upper body. Those have reduced the ringing and no other issues. I have a bunch of doc friends and they all say there is no 1 cure. Some try different things and one may work. Others try all their life and nothing works. I have chosen to deal with it. When it impacts my job etc. with hearing I will explore the aid options. Oh per doc suggestion I started using industrial ear plugs for sleeping. I can still hear my alarm, smoke detector, etc. but it creates an ocean like sound and for some reason the ringing is minimized and many times non existent. Try it out for your sleeping.

BTW, thanks alot. I hadn't heard the ringing until you mentioned it today

Good luck.

 

[PSUBuddha]

I have had tinnitus for many years. I have had 2 MRIs to make sure it isn't something else. I had balance issues last spring and went to PT to learn stretches and ways to strengthen neck/shoulder/upper body. Those have reduced the ringing and no other issues. I have a bunch of doc friends and they all say there is no 1 cure. Some try different things and one may work. Others try all their life and nothing works. I have chosen to deal with it. When it impacts my job etc. with hearing I will explore the aid options. Oh per doc suggestion I started using industrial ear plugs for sleeping. I can still hear my alarm, smoke detector, etc. but it creates an ocean like sound and for some reason the ringing is minimized and many times non existent. Try it out for your sleeping.

BTW, thanks alot. I hadn't heard the ringing until you mentioned it today

Good luck.

I have had the same experience with foam ear plugs for sleeping. I have tinnitus also. Sometimes it bothers me and other times I don’t really notice it, but the ear plugs definitely help me with sleeping.

 

[BRETTPSU]

Can remember the day my tinnitus started. It was Oct 25th of last year. I know this because I shot my biggest buck to date that day and while driving home with it the ringing started. It's not like I overdid it that day and I had lots of help handling him. I also suffer from chronic migraines and now every time a migraine is starting the ringing progressively gets worse. Neurologist doesn't appear worried about it so I guess I'll just have to live with it.

 

[Columbus_Lion]

I've had constant Tinnitus for about 10 years - probably due to listening to music (walkman) and loud concerts. Some days the ringing is louder than others (Based on weather and barometric pressure - JMO). Do need background noise at night for better sleep.

Would love to get rid of it.

 

[hagberg]

Please don't laugh. This really happened to me. Suffered from Tinnitis for years. One day I'm walking along the sidewalk and a little brown moth flies into my ear and gets stuck. He keeps buzzing in my ear until I pulled him out. He was still alive and flew some distance before crashing. I instantly realized the Tinnitis was gone! I'm dead serious. I tried to contact Georgetown Medical to tell them what happened but they never returned the call. I was thinking that if you put a tuning fork against the ear bone ,it could duplicate the experience. I know t sounds crazy but it really happened. I never had a problem since.

I almost had something similar happen this past summer. I was walking past my shed and got dive-bombed by a couple wasps, one of which flew into my ear. I don't know if it would have helped my tinnitus any, but any potential benefit was lost from all the slapping at my head to get him out!

I believe my tinnitus stems from wearing headphones - the old hard plastic ones - for most of my first six years in the service. The frequent bursts of static while listening to faint radio signals took their toll. I hear it all the time, but it doesn't affect my hearing (too much) or ability to fall asleep. One of the benefits of deploying: I learned to sleep pretty much anywhere and any time and through almost any noise!

 

[hagberg]

You suffering from CRS, yet?

My problem is CORS: I Can Only Remember Shit. It's the important things I have trouble with!

 

[Marylovesthelions]

I have tinnitus. I had mineer’s disease and the meds for that were otoxic. Be careful about any meds you ate prescribed. Make sure that side effects do not include hearing loss. I now have zero heating in my left ear and 50% in my right. If you do not have ringing in your ears 24/7, you do not have tinnitus yet. Your brain learns to ignore the ringing until you think about it. God bless and good luck. Tinnitus brings hearing loss.

 

[YeOldeCup]

I have tinnitus. I had mineer’s disease and the meds for that were otoxic. Be careful about any meds you ate prescribed. Make sure that side effects do not include hearing loss. I now have zero heating in my left ear and 50% in my right. If you do not have ringing in your ears 24/7, you do not have tinnitus yet. Your brain learns to ignore the ringing until you think about it. God bless and good luck. Tinnitus brings hearing loss.

Yes, mine is constant also. The reason for my reaching out here is that it has gotten noticeably worse in recent months for no apparent reason. Like many who have posted, my brain learned to 'put it on ignore,' but it is now more intrusive than in the past.

Thanks to all who have contributed here. When this gets to the point where I can no longer focus on essential tasks, I will explore (noise balancing?) hearing aids that may be of benefit, but the consensus is that there is no real treatment for the condition.

 

[CZM]

In 1983 (I was 39) I had a bad vertigo episode. Ended up having just about every test known to the medical profession. One was a hearing test by a ear nose & throat doctor. After the test he asked if I had tinnitus. I said “nope”. He said, “Are you sure? ‘Cause every time I played this one sound, you always said you didn’t hear it”. “Nope, never had it...ah, what is tinnitus anyway!” “It’s a ringing in your ears” he said. “Well, now that you mention it, doc, I’ve always had a sound in my ears. Thought it was just a normal thing”. Every since that doctors appointment, I “hear” that ringing and am bothered by it. Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then!

 

[WestSideLion]

Haven't had a hearing test for a very long time, but began experiencing tinnitis about a decade ago, and I'm definitely experiencing some hearing loss.

Been reading online reviews on local ENT and hearing specialists/practices, but the reviews haven't been that helpful. For those who may have one or both of these conditions and have sought help, do you have any recommendations (or warnings) for my search?

TIA.

I have hereditary hearing loss and was diagnosed as a very young child. I used to get hearing tests in school to monitor it. Anyway, I finally broke down and got hearing aids a few years ago. It was life changing.

A few observations from my experience:

1) Find a great doctor. If you’re in the Philly or SF Bay Area, I can give you a suggestion.

2) Get the best technology (both hardware and software) you can. My aids have custom software that auto adjusts to different profiles in different environments like a car, crowded restaurant, conference room, etc.

3) Your doctor may be able to get your medical insurance to pay for a chunk of your hearing aids. If you have a proper diagnosis and prescription and a documented need (ex: work in lots of meetings), that can help. It did for me.

4) If you have an FSA through work, then use it. Good aids will run you several thousand and are worth every penny for me. Maxing your FSA witholdings and using it on aids helped some.

Good luck!