A Test (Maybe Tympanogram?) at the ENT Department Made My Tinnitus Much Worse

[Chinmoku]

Literally no point in having anything more to do with them. I eventually got put through to the head of the department who was going to ask the audiologist who did the hatchet job on me, and the fact she said she'd call me back, and that was two weeks ago, and never did, tells me all I need to know about them. Bear in mind I've made dozens of calls to them and have aggravated myself even more by doing so. I want nothing more to do with them. It's a brick wall and a pointless exercise, but they'll all deny that they are responsible for it. The biggest problem I have is that they can always say that I had it because I have tinnitus prior. But as we all know, this is rubbish. I'd never had this 24/7 ringing I have now until that test. I've never had a high pitched tinnitus prior to that test. I just want to know what caused this and why, so I can try and help myself elsewhere, but they are saying nobody has the results of it. I could get a solicitor in on it, and may still do that, but as pointed out on here, because it's not something you can see, it's a very difficult thing to prove. While I cry myself to sleep for 7 weeks thinking my life is now over, they can wash their hands of it and not give me a second thought.

The fact I've been out twice in the last month to food shop and both times made this infinitely worse than it ever was tells me I can't go anywhere ever again without this constant misery being made worse. How can that test done on thousands of people have literally ended me like this

I would still send a letter with registered delivery telling them to send you everything they have on record on you under the freedom of information act. You may summarise the case and the damage in the letter too. This way there is something written on record. Having something on record is worse for them then phone calls, and neglecting a freedom of information request is a violation of law an hospital would not risk.

 

[TBH]

I've now received a doctor report, all be it brief, and a tone test graph. All OK? Well sure it was then. But now ......

The Tympanogram results are mysteriously absent. My gut feeling is all the contact and calls over the last two months has alerted the whole department into burying it, as they're now frightened I will sue them for malpractice. A hunch, and I'm usually right about gut feelings. I have made many calls to the complaints department and the ENT/ Audiology. When I returned the week after to talk about it, I could see the people there talking about me when I waited and then couldn't wait to get rid of me, also intimidating. The people I spoke to on the phone were horrible and abusive. I'm an inconvenience they don't want. This screeching in my ears 24/7 is entirely down to them. I may talk to solicitors this week but have to ask what the point is. I'm just resigned to a life of misery.

I hope it improves but after two months of this, I am being very negative about it. I thought if it was going to improve, it would have by now, even just slightly?

 

[TBH]

One thing I've never asked, is it normal to have this for two months solid? Is it just because of the tests that it's so fierce? But two months and every day at this constant? Is that normal after a test like that. No sign of a dip whatsoever? Or is this physical damage to my ears.

People talk of good and bad days, but there have been no good days. Presumably that's not tinnitus inflicted by so called medical professionals. So desperate for help from someone and anyone. I don't see an end.

 

[TBH]

Update... Still rubbish!! Over two months on and if on the very rare morning when I wake and it's faded, the loud high pitched buzz is back within an hour or two. Louder than ever. The low hum never goes away ever. I sometimes wonder if this is something more severe than tinnitus, because it was done physically to me, and not from the usual ways people get this. Can it be damage somewhere?

I am still very angry, still despise the hospital staff who did this to me, and can't believe just how depressed I am with no visible signs of any recovery whatsoever. It's too impossible to think this will go when every day is so bad. Why on the very rare morning it get's lower does it come back with a vengeance in two high pitch loud tones later on in the day. If tinnitus is from stress, but I'm sitting there minding my own business in a quiet room not doing anything does it decide to ramp up so loud for no reason. One thing I know for sure is going out makes it worse, regardless of noise volumes. Nothing has helped me, it makes no odds what I do or take. All this does is make me hate living. NO sign of any improvement so why would I be positive on any scale whatsoever.

My last few posts weren't answered but it would be good if someone knows some answers to the questions that have experience of the same. I tried to start a new post on a different subject but it got put back into this old post and lost here. I pretty much feel like writing on here may not be what anyone wants to hear about anymore because of no change ... It will never go off in the day either, It's always ramped up at night for bed. Such a cruel and horrible existence. I've never had a day when it stops even for a minute.

 

[TBH]

Last attempt.... Is there anyone on here who has come through the other side after this test?
I'm into the 3rd month of it, and my life is unbearable no matter what I do.

Why every time I go out, even when it's not even loud noises, do I get home and suffer so much more and the tinnitus high and low is so much worse? The mystery of this cause by the test is something no doctor can answer, but when it's as bad now as it was from day 1, it's not a great feeling.

 

[Lane]

Last attempt.... Is there anyone on here who has come through the other side after this test?
I'm into the 3rd month of it, and my life is unbearable no matter what I do.

Hi @TBH -- Your situation has similarties to a story shared by @dpdx. Below is a link to one of his threads where he provides some of his own details. The good news (as I recall), is that even though he was miserable for quite a long time (more than a year IIRC), he then seemed to improve sometime in his second year. -- Ears take a long time to heal; don't give up hope!

1 Year After Ear Tests... cVEMP/Caloric

 

[all to gain]

@TBH

Have you made an official complaint against the hospital? It won't get rid of your tinnitus though...

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...back-or-make-a-complaint-about-an-nhs-service
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-complain-to-the-nhs/
https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaint/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/h...e/how-to-make-a-complaint-about-nhs-services/

 

[TBH]

Hi @TBH -- Your situation has similarties to a story shared by @dpdx. Below is a link to one of his threads where he provides some of his own details. The good news (as I recall), is that even though he was miserable for quite a long time (more than a year IIRC), he then seemed to improve sometime in his second year. -- Ears take a long time to heal; don't give up hope!

1 Year After Ear Tests... cVEMP/Caloric

Thanks for your reply.... yes I've read many of his posts thanks, It's really hard to remain positive when nothing changes and in some cases worsens, especially reading his posts that don't show a hell of a lot of hope. I also live somewhere that's surrounded by a lot of noise on many occasions which doesn't help the healing process. My main concern at present is WHY does it ramp up when I get home after I've been shopping and there isn't really anything that was that loud while I was out? I can go 12 days inside because I know it will be worse if I go out. That's what this has done to me. I lie awake all night after I've been out anywhere now.

@TBH

Have you made an official complaint against the hospital? It won't get rid of your tinnitus though...

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...back-or-make-a-complaint-about-an-nhs-service
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-complain-to-the-nhs/
https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaint/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/h...e/how-to-make-a-complaint-about-nhs-services/

I've complained to the hospital yes, they are the worst bunch of people I've ever come across, No empathy, nothing. One of them actually shouted at me down the phone when I said they'd ruined my life. 'I DIDN"T RUIN YOUR LIFE!!' came the response. And that was just admin. Vile bunch. I don't feel strong enough to go a lot further with them. I know it won't be easy. And how on earth do you prove incompetence when nobody can physically see the damage? Can't be easy surely.

 

[TBH]

So I read about people talking about tinnitus for 2 days in a row, and wonder if that's the norm for most?

If that's the case, why after this test, do I have this all day and all night for what's coming up to 3 months? The loud banging rumble and the high pitched tone. Is this not tinnitus and something else that I don't know about? I don't hear many saying they have this constantly, all the time. Is there something I don't know.

 

[TBH]

THREE MONTHS TODAY!!! YAYYYYY and I still want to die!

No improvement since that test, and the high pitched whine I never had prior is still present daily and nightly. As well as the low hum that's 10 times louder.

The joy! of no help from anyone is immense. Doctors are all rubbish! I spent a fair few hundred going to see a couple of people who 'specialise' in tinnitus and hyperacusis, NONE have heard of these problems after the tests. In my book that makes them clueless, because there are enough people who have had the same problem as I have had after those tests, on here alone, and they haven't a clue about anything... I won't be throwing any more money down the toilet on so called 'experts' who can't help, because in effect, nobody can.

I can't even hoover without the screech in my head going up to 11. It's a ridiculous existence. I bought a new hoover this week because mine was so loud, and read reviews about a Dyson that was reviewed as 'quiet;. Probably is to normal people. It is quieter, but the high pitched whine is still evident on top of the lower noise. You just can't win can you!

 

[dpdx]

THREE MONTHS TODAY!!! YAYYYYY and I still want to die!

No improvement since that test, and the high pitched whine I never had prior is still present daily and nightly. As well as the low hum that's 10 times louder.

The joy! of no help from anyone is immense. Doctors are all rubbish! I spent a fair few hundred going to see a couple of people who 'specialise' in tinnitus and hyperacusis, NONE have heard of these problems after the tests. In my book that makes them clueless, because there are enough people who have had the same problem as I have had after those tests, on here alone, and they haven't a clue about anything... I won't be throwing any more money down the toilet on so called 'experts' who can't help, because in effect, nobody can.

I can't even hoover without the screech in my head going up to 11. It's a ridiculous existence. I bought a new hoover this week because mine was so loud, and read reviews about a Dyson that was reviewed as 'quiet;. Probably is to normal people. It is quieter, but the high pitched whine is still evident on top of the lower noise. You just can't win can you!

It will get better. mine got better after loud ear tests. Hold on. It gets better slowly, the reason why it got worse is because it didn't heal yet, you aggravated it.

You would be amazed how much stuff I had happen to me. Last year my tinnitus was always a 7/10-8/10 now it is a 1/10. Don't Stress. So within a year you will get better, it took me about 2.5 good years to get to a tinnitus which is 5/10.

 

[Lane]

Last year my tinnitus was always a 7/10-8/10 now it is a 1/10.

Wow @dpdx, that's a remarkable turnaround for you. Anything in particular that you think may have helped your improvements, such as diet, lifestyle, supplements, etc.? Seems in a lot of cases it's just the passage of time which allows the ears/brain to heal. Regardless, I'm delighted to hear how much you've improved, especially after having seen how much you suffered. -- Don't feel compelled to answer, but were you ever able to forgive the people that injured you in the first place? -- All the Best!

 

[TBH]

It will get better. mine got better after loud ear tests. Hold on. It gets better slowly, the reason why it got worse is because it didn't heal yet, you aggravated it.

You would be amazed how much stuff I had happen to me. Last year my tinnitus was always a 7/10-8/10 now it is a 1/10. Don't Stress. So within a year you will get better, it took me about 2.5 good years to get to a tinnitus which is 5/10.

Thanks for that, I just can't believe this will get any better. The screeching as I'm typing this is driving me mad, you never think it will go, Maybe if it had improved in 3 months, but outside noises do my head in even more now than they ever did. It's exactly the same as it was 3 months ago. I don't think it was even a loud test funnily enough. The pressure test must be responsible for this problem not the tone test.

The whine of the hoover never did a thing to me prior, now it's horrendous and makes the tinnitus unbearable for days after. Every time I go out and come home it's worse, stopping me from going out now, even if I'm not subjected to anything really loud. I just can't get any downtime from it. It's just mad.

When you say I aggravated it, in what way? Surely that pressure test has done physical damage to something?

 

[dpdx]

Wow @dpdx, that's a remarkable turnaround for you. Anything in particular that you think may have helped your improvements, such as diet, lifestyle, supplements, etc.? Seems in a lot of cases it's just the passage of time which allows the ears/brain to heal. Regardless, I'm delighted to hear how much you've improved, especially after having seen how much you suffered. -- Don't feel compelled to answer, but were you ever able to forgive the people that injured you in the first place? -- All the Best!

Time. But now I got disgusting gray hair on my head. I look like I am 45.

Thanks for that, I just can't believe this will get any better. The screeching as I'm typing this is driving me mad, you never think it will go, Maybe if it had improved in 3 months, but outside noises do my head in even more now than they ever did. It's exactly the same as it was 3 months ago. I don't think it was even a loud test funnily enough. The pressure test must be responsible for this problem not the tone test.

The whine of the hoover never did a thing to me prior, now it's horrendous and makes the tinnitus unbearable for days after. Every time I go out and come home it's worse, stopping me from going out now, even if I'm not subjected to anything really loud. I just can't get any downtime from it. It's just mad.

When you say I aggravated it, in what way? Surely that pressure test has done physical damage to something?

You aggravated it by doing the ear tests. Mine was a 3/10 initially, did ear tests and then it went up to a 8/10 for an entire year, 2018. Only did by March-April 2018 start reducing.

Time is the best medicine. Don't stress out please, I got gray hair because of that s**it

 

[Eric N]

Time. But now I got disgusting gray hair on my head. I look like I am 45.

You aggravated it by doing the ear tests. Mine was a 3/10 initially, did ear tests and then it went up to a 8/10 for an entire year, 2018. Only did by March-April 2018 start reducing.

Time is the best medicine. Don't stress out please, I got gray hair because of that s**it

Good to see you're doing better, spikes indeed can come down after long periods of time but it's not guaranteed of course

 

[Lane]

I got gray hair because of that s**it

Try some MSM. Good for a lot of things, plus many testimonials of gray hair turner darker again.

 

[TBH]

Time. But now I got disgusting gray hair on my head. I look like I am 45.

You aggravated it by doing the ear tests. Mine was a 3/10 initially, did ear tests and then it went up to a 8/10 for an entire year, 2018. Only did by March-April 2018 start reducing.

Time is the best medicine. Don't stress out please, I got gray hair because of that s**it

I wish it was just the gray hair problem... mine is now falling out at a rate of knots because of this stress. And I read on here that using Regaine/Rogaine/Minox gives them tinnitus!!

I've now got more stress from family who have absolutely no clue what I'm going through with no sleep and stress every day from this, because I won't be going to Christmas day lunch for fear of the noise with a load of people there. They just don't get it, and it's incredibly frustrating. Were you exactly where you were after 3 months after the test, absolutely no improvement whatsoever? It's killing me.

 

[dpdx]

I wish it was just the gray hair problem... mine is now falling out at a rate of knots because of this stress. And I read on here that using Regaine/Rogaine/Minox gives them tinnitus!!

I've now got more stress from family who have absolutely no clue what I'm going through with no sleep and stress every day from this, because I won't be going to Christmas day lunch for fear of the noise with a load of people there. They just don't get it, and it's incredibly frustrating. Were you exactly where you were after 3 months after the test, absolutely no improvement whatsoever? It's killing me.

It took a year... don't stress about it. It does get better... time is the best medicine. You didn't damage hearing but just aggravated it, think about breaking your leg then going out with it (walking, running), give it sometime.

 

[TBH]

It took a year... don't stress about it. It does get better... time is the best medicine. You didn't damage hearing but just aggravated it, think about breaking your leg then going out with it (walking, running), give it sometime.

A whole year of this because of some idiot?! So not fair.

Thanks, these 3 months seem like a year! Stressing is all I've done, you have a lot of time awake to stress, and get very angry with the imbecile who did it to you. By the way, after the Tympanogram did you get sinusy, more blocked up than usual? And was the tinnitus two tone, the low burr and the high tone? Never had high tone before the test and it's a constant now, Just wondered if your symptoms were the same at all. And if the low was ramped up every night. All of this has only happened since that test, and the tone test, but feel sure it was the Tympanogram that has done this.

Hearing is not the problem, a little too good sometimes. Much more receptive now to noises. Did you have Hyperacusis after test too? It just gets me down 24/7. To have NO improvement whatsoever is just not right. To be at the exact same level after 3 months doesn't fill me with confidence.

 

[dpdx]

A whole year of this because of some idiot?! So not fair.

Thanks, these 3 months seem like a year! Stressing is all I've done, you have a lot of time awake to stress, and get very angry with the imbecile who did it to you. By the way, after the Tympanogram did you get sinusy, more blocked up than usual? And was the tinnitus two tone, the low burr and the high tone? Never had high tone before the test and it's a constant now, Just wondered if your symptoms were the same at all. And if the low was ramped up every night. All of this has only happened since that test, and the tone test, but feel sure it was the Tympanogram that has done this.

Hearing is not the problem, a little too good sometimes. Much more receptive now to noises. Did you have Hyperacusis after test too? It just gets me down 24/7. To have NO improvement whatsoever is just not right. To be at the exact same level after 3 months doesn't fill me with confidence.

Yup, mine was bad for 1.5 years as well now its better. I have other issues now to worry about.

It sucks that you will loose 1 year of your life to this

 

[TBH]

Did all those symptoms also apply to you?
All that I mentioned sound the same?

 

[TBH]

I cannot get why every time I go to a shopping centre/mall the screech is worsened so much, even when I don't feel there's anything there that is overly loud. It's ramped up so high when I go out shopping. Why?

Those tests have affected my life so unbelievably badly, she may as well have put a bullet to my head when she did those tests. It's quite unbelievable!! I dread going out, dread hoovering, and know the neighbours loud music over Xmas and NYE will send me to another all time low.

Surely it wasn't just as bad as it was from day one, 3 months in for others, and no improvement whatsoever? There are no positives in 3 months?

 

[Bartoli]

Time. But now I got disgusting gray hair on my head. I look like I am 45.

George Clooney seems to do rather well despite it
Glad you got better!

 

[Lane]

I cannot get why every time I go to a shopping centre/mall the screech is worsened so much, even when I don't feel there's anything there that is overly loud. It's ramped up so high when I go out shopping. Why?

Hi @TBH -- So sorry to hear how difficult things are going for you at this time. Regarding your question: My take is that you're experiencing these spikes because your ears are still incredibly fragile, and have not yet had a chance to heal. It's unbelievable how seemingly tiny little things can cause so much havoc to hears that are still so fragile.

Just to mention, I had screaming, unbearable tinnitus that flucuated wildly for the first 12-18 months, before settling down to a greater predictability. And that was with a protocol of avoiding all kinds of stores and other potentially problematic things as much as possible. I also spent a considerable amount of time in nature, trying to attune myself to their slower and healing rhythms. I think it all eventually paid off, but it took a long time. Below is a post I made about a year ago that sums up the dilemma I believe most of face when first beginning to deal with severe tinnitus.

All the Best...

@hearandnow -- It seems you're missing a really import point here. -- It appears injured ears are very similar to concussions. If a person suffers a concussion, and then has another one before the first one is done healing, the 2nd concussion can be several times worse. It makes sense, as an injured brain trying to heal doesn't have the resilience of a healthy brain to withstand a new trauma.

It's often the same with injured ears. Many people don't understand that they can take many weeks/months to fully heal (if ever). You're in a fortunate place, as you're young, are doing a number of good things. and in my mind, your prognosis is very good. -- The ear healing process continues even after improvements such as less pain, less fullness, less tinnitus, less hyperacusis. It's at these times that too many people make the mistake of deciding they're ears are healed well enough to do "normal" things, which is often not the case. It may never be the case, but the period of maximum vulnerability is in the beginning, especially the first year. -- Best!

 

[dpdx]

George Clooney seems to do rather well despite it
Glad you got better!

I am 29 not 55

 

[dpdx]

I cannot get why every time I go to a shopping centre/mall the screech is worsened so much, even when I don't feel there's anything there that is overly loud. It's ramped up so high when I go out shopping. Why?

Those tests have affected my life so unbelievably badly, she may as well have put a bullet to my head when she did those tests. It's quite unbelievable!! I dread going out, dread hoovering, and know the neighbours loud music over Xmas and NYE will send me to another all time low.

Surely it wasn't just as bad as it was from day one, 3 months in for others, and no improvement whatsoever? There are no positives in 3 months?

Nope, one year.
Try to relax, don't stress yourself out, you will be sorry later on.

 

[dpdx]

Did all those symptoms also apply to you?
All that I mentioned sound the same?

Yes and it will get better in 1-1.5 years, in my case it damaged my well-being.
My theory that ears are in the fragile stage. Now that my ears strengthened I had lot of loud noises (car alarms, balloon pop, fire alarms, etc) and it didn't raise it.
If you keep following my route it wont end well. I ended up with lots of issues which I sadly cant reverse. Turn this form off and distract yourself until it gets better, so by end of 2020 it will be better

 

[Bartoli]

I am 29 not 55

I would gladly trade my hair for a cure. Going grey could've just happened regardless, my grandma went gray at 28. A friend of 33 is going grey around the muzzle. To me at 33 it's happening too. The white hairs are also thicker so they prefer to stick out like a sore thumb. It seems like a petty problem considering what we're going through with tinnitus. But again, when I was just lurking on the forum I recall you were very distressed. I really am glad it can get better and that it did for you!

 

[dpdx]

I would gladly trade my hair for a cure. Going grey could've just happened regardless, my grandma went gray at 28. A friend of 33 is going grey around the muzzle. To me at 33 it's happening too. The white hairs are also thicker so they prefer to stick out like a sore thumb. It seems like a petty problem considering what we're going through with tinnitus. But again, when I was just lurking on the forum I recall you were very distressed. I really am glad it can get better and that it did for you!

How did yours worsen?

 

[TBH]

@Lane

Thanks, did you have any of these life debilitating tests at all, that have done this to me? I can't actually quite believe every day, and most of the night that something that was over so quickly has left such lasting damage. I do churn it over a lot!

@dpdx

So the sinus thing is no coincidence then? The sniff you hear in the ears? The fullness in the ears etc... It's part of this horrendous row in my head. The high pitched hiss never feels like it will go away as that is what I hear the loudest when I'm out, which I never ever had before that test. The low drone that is a constant at night that is just the absolute pits when you need sleep always gets far louder about 9 ish at night, despite always being there, it's rampant at night and when in bed.

I have so much stress in my life at the worst possible time, coupled with the fact that the pub across the road is in the middle of Xmas and NYE party season and the thumping bass from the DJ music for 5 hours per night is making me even more ill than I was. The constant thuds are a killer at the best of times, let alone what I am going through at present. The low boom of the dishwasher in the other room is driving me crazy as I'm typing this. The droney wavey deep pulsator in the head. The high pitch tone is easier to describe but the lower one, not so much. Worst part is the apps can't block out low and high, it's usually one or other.

Presumably when you say 'following your route' and 'will be sorry later on' you are talking about the stress levels. May be a bit late for that, I've done so much damage from stressing already, hair falling out etc. Difficult to avoid stress as it's part and parcel of my every day life at the moment. You really couldn't make it up. One thing after another at the moment. Sadly when this is 24/7 for all these months, I think it's kind of unavoidable, and not got the most supportive family, because other than people on here, NOBODY has any idea of the suffering and how much it can control your life, when you're frightened to go out because of the consequences of it.

Also like to wish all you lovely people a happy hols, or as happy as you can make it. Some of us are suffering far more than is humanly fair due to this hideousness.