Hearing loss and tinnutus- Help!

Karlrove · 23-09-2021 8:49pm #1

Hi everyone, I've learned a lot from looking at this discussion board-thaks. I was diagnosed with moderate/severe hearing loss a year ago in my left ear. My tinnutus has gotten quiet bad this last month. It could be to do with a stress that's come about at work. I never suffered a lot from stress/anxiety until now and i'm wondering is this a feature of tinnutus? I was recommended to get a hearing aid at the time but have put it off because I am in my 30's. However, I think I need to re asses this and look at getting one. I was advised to get a RIC but I was hoping to get one that fits in the ear canal. Is there a difference here? Also, I am bamboozled by the number of manufacturers. I work as a teacher so it's become apparent I need something to help my hearing/tinnutus and stress. Thanks in advance for any advice.

looksee · 23-09-2021 9:17pm

There is apparently a link between stress and tinnitus, though personally I am not particularly stressed but I have significant tinnitus. And hearing loss, but I have had that for some 12 to 14 years. I was also teaching and I had to get a hearing aid as it was impossible to cope in a classroom with hearing difficulties. I now have two aids.

I recently got new aids from Specsavers, I got the top of their range ones, they are ok but I don't think they are as good as the first one I had, which was more expensive. It was a Widex supplied by Bonovox, no doubt the model has changed by now.

Karlrove · 23-09-2021 9:47pm

Many thanks for getting back to me. I used Audico.

Karlrove · 26-09-2021 4:47pm

any more advice/comments really welcome.

IrishHomer · 28-09-2021 3:24pm

I'm in a similar position to the OP.

I've been suffering gradually for the past 20 years I am now aged 52.

In the past few years its become increasingly worse.

Over the past 4 years I have seen three ENT doctors and all said i have moderate hearing loss and was told learn to live with it and that I didn't require a hearing aid.

Over the past few months I feel my hearing and my Tinnitus has worsened and I am currently at breaking point.

I am off work sick from it for the past 6 weeks and I am very depressed and frustrated as I tried to see ENT doctors and they are all booked out until next year!

I am seeing the Neuromod (Leneire) people tomorrow at the Hermitage in Lucan, this is the first stage where they just assess me to see if I am a candidate to treat.

I was recommended hearing aids a couple of years ago by the companies who always advertise and my GP and all the ENTs are very skeptical about such companies and have always warned me to stay away from them as they say they are out for the money and will always push hearing aids on you.

For the past few months my wife is sick of repeating things to me as i never pick up her sentences first time around. I also am having a lot of difficulty sleeping due to the loud horrendous constant noise in my right ear.

Some aspects of my job is very intense law enforcement and hearing is vital for this and I feel I am not fit for this anymore. I recently told my GP this and he said he would support me if I required to go on disability. He said he knows a teacher who had to do same.

My wife went mental when I mentioned that option even though we are not in any debt and could survive.

soram · 28-09-2021 4:00pm

I don't normally comment on Boards but....

My hearing in my left ear went down to 10% 25 years ago and I had intense tinnitus for over 6 months. I got some relief while exercising heavily.

I had a very, very stressful 9 months at work on a project. At the end of this project my condition improved - the tinnitus went away and my hearing improved. Over the 25 years since if I have prolonged stress I get start to get a slight dullness and ringing in my ear again. It is a warning for me to change something. The stress has to be over many months to trigger it. It has driven me to change my career direction several times. When I get rid of the stress I get rid of the tinnitus. Though the change can be quite stressful itself I am happier for it.

The first time I was living in Germany and a fairly standard course was to take the person to hospital for two weeks. It was found not sufficient to tell somebody to destress but rather remove them from the environment completely. Typically a course of back, neck and shoulder massage was also prescribed.

It was my understanding that the inner ear was being damaged due to blood flow restrictions and possibly other issues.

Now my understanding and interpretation may be incorrect but I can state that I can manage my tinnitus by managing my stress and hopefully it is an early warning that enables me to avoid other conditions.

Good luck with your diagnosis.

Karlrove · 06-10-2021 5:39pm

Hi again,I have gone to one of the best consultants in the country and 3 different audiologists. They have recommended a hearing aid. I have learned that Tinnutus is a side effect of hearing loss. I have got 3 hearing tests. My left ear has moderate impairment, however, because I have ignored it my right has been affected as it's compensating. So, I'm going to get a hearing aid and see how it goes. It made a big difference when I trialled one.

Meeoow · 06-10-2021 6:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117950081#Comment_117950081

Hey, keep us posted on Lenire will you? I am considering it too.

IrishHomer · 08-10-2021 5:32pm

Just a quick update.

Last week at the Hermitage I was strongly advised to do a course first in CBT and if that doesn't help then looking into the Lenire treatment.

I've been frustrated waiting to get a start date for CBT and this week they advised me to go visit their hearing aid team Audico.

I visited them today and not pushy at all and they recommend I try out a signle hearing aid as one of my ears is perfect. The recommend Phonak P70

I think I'll be doing the CBT first

worlds goodest teecher · 08-10-2021 8:00pm

I am 43. Tinnitus in both ears for over ten years. I have ataxia following brain surgery in 2009. Balance is affected and hearing is poor in both ears.

I have a medical card and attended an ent consultant 3/4 times a year. Every time I visit it is the same thing, but with a different consultant each time.

Last year on one visit I was told I would benefit from hearing aids. I said that I would consider it for the next appointment.

I decided to go for them but there was a different ent consultant at that and he said that I didn't.

My understanding is, but I could wrong, the hse hearing aids aren't great with tinnitus.

I have 2 kids and the loud screeching noise has literally brought me to my knees in the past.

What kind of money are we talking about for going to one of the hearing?

looksee · 08-10-2021 8:11pm

Do you have any qualification under the Treatment Benefit Scheme? https://www.gov.ie/en/service/1fb655-treatment-benefit-scheme/?referrer=https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Treatment-Benefit1.aspx#how-to-qualify

There are quite a lot of divisions in the provision so you would have to check it against your age etc.

Other than that Specsavers prices are here https://www.specsavers.ie/hearing/offers/clear-price I got the Elite and got the 50% off so they cist me about 1300 for the pair. You can get much higher spec ones but they will be correspondingly more expensive. These ones are ok, acceptable but not amazing.

I haven't noticed that any hearing aids make a difference to tinnitus, mine has quieted a bit recently, up to a few weeks ago it was very intrusive. I have no idea what made a difference.

Edit to add, I would recommend the rechargable ones, the units are a bit bigger but it isn't noticeable in use.

worlds goodest teecher · 08-10-2021 9:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117994890#Comment_117994890

Thanks, I think I would qualify for something under prsi. The OP mentioned the Hermitage. That is where I see my neurosurgeon, and although I am trying to cut down on appointments this is one I would happily pay for if it can improve things.

dalyboy · 08-10-2021 10:25pm

Ok. I can fully appreciate how tinnitus can be an absolute nightmare.

I sustained severe head and neck injury 5 years ago in an automobile accident. My balance was initially affected (for about 10 minutes post impact) along with high pitched ringing in my ears. This ringing persisted to the point that I got brain scans to rule out other causes. I attended a consultation in Beaumont hospital 6 months later with an ENT who confirmed that the hear / tinnitus was permanent and that I’ve 40% loss of overall hearing damage. High pitched voices are almost inaudible to me. I particularly have trouble at school collection times with all the noise and I tend to just nod along to my own children when they’re speaking to me as I can’t understand them until we are back in the car.

I attended a meeting with a high profile hearing aid specialist company and I tested some hearing aids. Some very physically clunky 2k up to very discreet sized aids for about 6.5k. They’ve about 5 year - 10 year life cycle depending on the amount of use. I’ve got to say …. My tinnitus was 100% gone while I wore the aids although the sales person casted doubt on weather I’d sustain this relief after long term hearing aid usage.

I am personally going to take the plunge and purchase one of the expensive models as even if I wear it only at times such as school collecting it would be such a positive move. I’d also wear it at night to help with sleeping as it’s getting more and more difficult to adjust to frequency youtube videos with waves or constant wind noise to fight the tinnitus over powering echo in my brain. I’m presently suffering serious sleep deprivation so action is required.

sorry for the long post. I hope the hearing aid info helps others in similar position.

worlds goodest teecher · 08-10-2021 11:08pm

I empathise with you, its not easy. I am encouraged that there may be help out there for people with tinnitus but at the same time I know not to get my hopes up that Lenire will aid my personal situation

mrslancaster · 09-10-2021 12:42am

A good friend had problems from tinnitus for years, she saw different consultants and got hearing aids but nothing helped much. She's had a few sessions with a cranial osteopath in the past few months which made a huge difference. Her spine, neck and jaw were misaligned from either a minor injury in childhood or years of bad posture and that caused the tinnitus. Shes delighted with the improvement but its probably not for everyone.

worlds goodest teecher · 09-10-2021 2:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117994248#Comment_117994248

Can I ask, when you were undergoing your assessment did they mention what type of candidates would not benefit or be considered for treatment?

IrishHomer · 09-10-2021 9:29pm

They said you need to have a certain amount of hearing in order to go for the Lenire.

I passed that test but was advised that try CBT first..

IrishHomer · 12-10-2021 6:15am

I've also been recommended a single hearing aid for my bad ear by Audico at the Hermitage.

It's getting complicated now and potentially very expensive!

Cognitive therapy not sure price yet but I reckon €140 per session

Single hearing aid Phonak P50 €1,800 after prsi grant €500

Lenire system €2,800

So I could potentially shell out €5k

phelixoflaherty · 12-10-2021 7:11am

Rte Doc on one had a programme about about Tinnitus a while back.

https://www.rte.ie/radio/doconone/972251-white-noise

worlds goodest teecher · 13-10-2021 10:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118007408#Comment_118007408

I have my 15min phone assessment booked for Monday. The root cause my hearing loss/tinnitus is most likely down to brain tumour/radiotherapy. Not confident I'll be suitable and I'm positive CBT will be ineffective.

worlds goodest teecher · 13-10-2021 10:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118007408#Comment_118007408

That's a shocking price. It's too new to be covered under private medical insurance

Fishdoodle · 13-10-2021 11:31pm

I had bad tinnitus & stress at one point- tried everything (except hearing aids) - went to an energy healer (though I was skeptical) - and it helped hugely!

worlds goodest teecher · 20-10-2021 9:01pm

Had my initial consultation with Lenire.

Very nice lady I spoke with.

There is no trial. You can pay in 3 installments and have the option to cancel after you pay the first or second installment but what you have paid is un-refundable.

IrishHomer · 21-10-2021 8:31am

Update

My CBT started from the Hermitage I'm done my it online and it's €100 per hour.

I don't think it's any different to regular CBT and I see lots alternative CBT available for half the price.

Boots have just purchased into the hearing care market in Ireland and my local hearing clinic in Tullamore is under the Boots umbrella. Their prices for Phonak hearing aids are up to €300 cheaper than the Hermitage. I visited them yesterday and I took out a free trial of a Phonak aid. So far I'm extremely impressed with it. I have up to 6 weeks to trial it and they also offer interest free monthly repayments.

looksee · 21-10-2021 8:36am

Is it working though? CBT for tinnitus seems a bit counter intuitive as my experience is the more attention you give tinnitus, the more noticeable it is. (Checking out this Forum sets me going, though as I move on it drifts away again).

IrishHomer · 21-10-2021 4:14pm

I think your right.

When I was recently off work I was dwelling on the tinnitus feeling sorry for myself felt very miserable.

Now back to work busy and not dwelling on it.

Nigzcurran · 21-10-2021 9:26pm

Are all you folks suffering with actual noises like screeching or whistling type sounds ? I’m been driven demented with the noise of my pulse in my head. Can’t even work out which ear it’s coming from, had wax removed and zero improvement. Any help or advice greatly appreciated

looksee · 21-10-2021 9:43pm

Yes, noise in your head as you say like, well in my case a kind of somewhat high pitched swishing noise that pulses, though not at heart beat speed, a bit faster.

worlds goodest teecher · 21-10-2021 10:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118055205#Comment_118055205

I have 2-3 pitches of constant buzzing in left ear, 1 pitch in the right. If I get a head cold my hearing is muffled and reduced, almost to the point of nill hearing. I do have sinus issues, a brain injury which could be a factor and two loud kids piercing my brain.

P2C · 21-10-2021 10:56pm

I have had tinitus for a few years. I was going around the house checking plug sockets initially thinking the phone was plugged in or a dodgy charger. I also get a wavy or pulsing sound. I got my hearing checked from a ENT and all good but have partial surfers ear. I have a heat recovery unit in the house or fan noise and I find it is super for helping me sleep. It’s background noise and I zone in on that when trying to sleep. It is only when I am away or the unit is turned off I zone in on the buzzing. Hopefully it stays this way

Deagol · 21-10-2021 11:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118055205#Comment_118055205

That may not be tinnitus. Did you get blood pressure checked? Do you notice it's worse when you're active vs resting?

Nigzcurran · 21-10-2021 11:25pm

Pulsatile tinnitus

Occasionally, people will hear tinnitus noises that beat in time with their pulse — like they are hearing a heartbeat in their ear. This is usually linked to disturbances in the blood flow around your head or neck.

I found this on the specsavers site of all places! Describes what I have to perfection

Deagol · 21-10-2021 11:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118055660#Comment_118055660

Ughh, never heard of that one. Sounds horrid. I get it very very occasionaly but always assumed it was something to do with my sometimes lazy lack of exercise! I normally have high pitched squeal thing going on.

looksee · 22-10-2021 9:01am

I very occasionally get that high pitched 'squeal' note going on, it comes absolutely out of nowhere and stops just as suddenly, strange. Its very hard to describe tinnitus noises, at the moment I have a constant sheeeeee noise that doesn't pulse and isn't quite the same as yesterday's offering. I am mostly on my own during the day, if I have anyone around I don't notice the tinnitus so readily. Now I have to stop reading this thread and give it all chance to fade away 😀

Nigzcurran · 22-10-2021 10:28am

I have never had any high pitch sounds of any description, just a constant loud pulse which I can actually feel vibrating against the pillow when I’m in bed. Article online says it’s sometimes caused by a blood vessel too close to the skin which possibly could be fixed with surgery. I had surgery for a perforated ear drum a few years ago but this actually feels like it’s coming from the opposite ear most times. Appointment in Beaumont hospital a few weeks ago was pointless, doctor in there just said to get a hearing aid as if that would magically cure it!

worlds goodest teecher · 23-10-2021 6:05pm

My ent consultant today returned last week's call. He said that leneir "would be good for" me. I expressed my concern as to the cost, the uncertainty of success and having not tried hearing aids first. He is arranging the fitting of hearing aids. They are the medical card ones so I'm not too confident about their success. Technically I am within acceptable hearing levels not to require hearing aids but the tinnitus just worsens it.

Fishdoodle · 24-10-2021 7:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118063352#Comment_118063352

That costs around about €2600, right? No guarantee of success, no definitive idea as to the cause. Hearing aid type devices just function as a band aid and don’t tackle the root cause. You’re in your forties … you’ve the rest of your life ahead of you! I’d imagine you’re probably suffering from stress and adrenaline with busy lifestyle. I’d certainly go with an alternative therapist -5 sessions for about €240 , would not only treat the tinnitus (possibly 100% , but regardless make a significant difference) also additional factors affecting health ie stress, parasympathetic / sympathetic nervous system. You could be done in a week.

Western medicine treats the symptom ,with tinnitus the symptom is not the cause. Eastern medicine is 2000 years old, -your body’s energetically out of balance, - that can be treated, but not by western medicine.

By all means, struggle on sitting with electrodes on you tongue & headphones each day hoping it goes away! There are other means -less expensive, non-invasive, effective.

Ben Done · 24-10-2021 7:37pm

edit

Deagol · 24-10-2021 8:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118068185#Comment_118068185

Have you anything to back up your assertions that the cause is "your body’s energetically out of balance"? Equally, have you any evidence (not anecdotal) that " would not only treat the tinnitus (possibly 100% , but regardless make a significant difference" ?

worlds goodest teecher · 24-10-2021 9:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118068185#Comment_118068185

Underlying illness affecting cerebellum, not stress related. Tinnitus every minute of every day since 2009. Cbt is not going to resolve my issues.

Fishdoodle · 24-10-2021 10:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118068632#Comment_118068632

Tinnitus can result from abnormal blood flow to the head & neck - perhaps the cerebellum issue may be a factor. Anyway, point is that it’s worth looking at a holistic treatment that looks at the whole body and not just the symptom. I wouldn’t use CBT myself for tinnitus , but from my own experience via different complementary route, I found my tinnitus reduced to about 10% of what it was. I don’t really notice it at all now, and felt my stress levels greatly reduced after treatment (also my focus, mental clarity increased).

IrishHomer · 21-11-2021 10:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118068905#Comment_118068905

What's the best CBT and best price to be paying?

I think the Hermitage CBT at €100 per hour is very expensive

21-11-2021 10:29pm

I had clicking like Morse code driving me crazy..I suffer from hearing loss as well although not got hearing aids yet..seems to be plaque trapped in a blood vessel at back of neck...thought I had tinnus but it's gone after afew days thank god.id be asking the doctor for any medicine to relax the blood vessels to try and get the plaque to pass through .

holliehobbie · 21-11-2021 10:33pm

I’ve had tinnitus for over 30 years 24/7. I had a scan when I was 20 to rule out an acoustic neuroma. I eventually gave in and saw a Consultant about 10 years ago as my hearing loss was getting worse. He referred me to an audiologist and I discovered that I have moderate hearing loss in both ears even though my tinnitus is louder in my left ear. I’ve been wearing hearing aids since then. When I had the hearing test with the audiologist she tried different sounds and frequencies in both ears to see if any of them matched my tinnitus sounds. Unfortunately none of them did which was a pity as they might have been able to mask the noise from the tinnitus. She also said that me wearing hearings might help reduce the sound of the tinnitus if I was lucky. But that didn’t happen either. I presume all of you posters have had any ear wax cleared out of your ears before you had hearing tests done?

Nigzcurran · 21-11-2021 10:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118203467#Comment_118203467

I had a hearing test done a few months ago and the guy swore it was just wax causing the hearing loss and sounds I could hear in my head, got the wax removed and back to the same guy for another test and hearing had zero improvement and the guy just shrugged his shoulders and said sorry! I’m now waiting to go back for a scan to see what’s causing my tinnitus, mine is pulsatile tinnitus I think, it’s basically my pulse I can hear thumping away in my ear. It’s driving me demented

holliehobbie · 21-11-2021 11:43pm

I read somewhere that Van Gogh the painter, cut off his ear because he had tinnitus in it! I can totally understand it if he did have it! A scan won’t necessarily find the cause of your tinnitus but can rule out something like the acoustic neuroma I mentioned. There is no cure for the kind of tinnitus I have and no known cause for it either.

09-12-2021 8:52pm

Hi, I went the see the Dr because my tinnitus has been upgraded from a part time problem (I didn't care too much about), to a 24/7 annoying companion.

She asked me to get a hearing test which I did and to my surprise I have bad hearing loss for a 37 years old.

I think its down to continuous use of a scanning device this last decade.

Has anybody been in a similar situation and had try to prove it before making a claim?

Hearing loss and tinnutus- Help!

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Pulsatile tinnitus