Significant hearing loss/difference in R ear compared to L ear from 12.5k hz - 18k hz. This was caused by a bad ear infection about 5 months ago. This is what started my tinnitus, but because I showed no HL up to 8k hz, no ENT thought outside their tiny box to treat me anyways with steroids or IT shot at time of injury…
Tinnitus Talk Support Forum
I am not saying I would be tinnitus free if I received intervention, but since T onset with one sound in R ear, I now have multiple sounds, reactivity, and distortions. My brain has been very busy trying to make up for this loss. I can only wonder what I could have avoided T and reactivity severity wise if I received comprehensive workup and care.
I have read 2-3 research review papers basically urging ENTs to test further frequencies in young people who present with sudden onset tinnitus and "normal" hearing up to 8k hz, because there is a strong chance that a loss is higher, thus supporting SSHL steroid interventions. Too bad I'm reading those reviews over the common practicing ENT.
Just want to leave this trail here to urge younger people to push for further hearing testing past 8k hz at time of tinnitus onset if hearing is "normal" up to 8k hz. Especially if it was noise induced, from ear infection, medication, anything that could have possibly damaged hearing.
I am so sorry to hear this I can't believe you managed to get too the ENT and they still managed to screw things up. Goes to show how useless they are. Thank you for leaving your experience it will help someone down the road. Unfortunately I also didn't get steroids in time, but I've seen a handful of people regain some type of hearing loss after a year or two of recovering.
What was the next coarse of recommendation? Are you going to use ear generators? Or did they give some type plan they wanna target?
Hi @ErikaS ! I'm sorry you had a bad ENT… unfortunately most of them are «useless» when the problem is tinnitus or hyperacusis. 5 days after my onset I took steroids and they did nothing for my T or H. Don't try to think «And if…». It wont do you any good. I also need an extended test, because up to 8K hz I have normal hearing.
Good advice. Two problems though:
1) Doctors/ENTs have poor knowledge of when to give steroids for HL/tinnitus but don't realise their knowledge is poor.
2) New T sufferers usually (90% plus) find out too late about Prednisone (if they ever do).
It's a perfect storm for tinnitus increasing in society but senior doctors (the ones who can make changes) do nothing.
1) Doctors/ENTs have poor knowledge of when to give steroids for HL/tinnitus but don't realise their knowledge is poor.
2) New T sufferers usually (90% plus) find out too late about Prednisone (if they ever do).
It's a perfect storm for tinnitus increasing in society but senior doctors (the ones who can make changes) do nothing.
I'm in the same boat with reactivity and distortions, it makes me wonder how it would have been if we got immediate help with steroids, but it took me weeks just to get an ENT appointment. I really hope there'll be more attention and warnings towards noise and hearing loss in the future.
@Sammy0225 we will meet again on Friday for remote appointment to go further in depth with info and she will present her therapy plan to me. Yes I believe it will be noise generators that connect to phone and apps will be used to customize sound based on my situation.
From tinnitus onset, you would need to come straight to this forum for advice, like within 36 hours OR see a doctor within 36 hours who understands that steroids is your best hope for future quality of life.
There should also be information given on TV/Radio/Media to go to your doctor straight away if you have developed tinnitus to get steroids as soon as possible.
There should also be information given on TV/Radio/Media to go to your doctor straight away if you have developed tinnitus to get steroids as soon as possible.