Just Joined, Hearing Aids Haven't Helped Me, Unsure of What Caused My Tinnitus

[KathyN48]

My name is Kathy and I am not really sure when my tinnitus started. Last summer I had a lot of sinus problems from probably allergies and lots of blowing my nose. I heard the hissing going on but thought it was the allergy. It would come and go until in October my ear popped and couldn't hear well so went to ENT. Had ear wax removed thinking this would solve the hissing. Hearing test result had some age related hearing loss and tinnitus. Was handed a printout explaining tinnitus and went home. By November it was so bad, online searching and found a "tinnitus expert". Told me hearing aids would help, sold me a very expensive pair. It is now February and still no relief with my very expensive hearing aids.

Thankful I have found this site, thank you all. Still suffering!

 

[billie48]

My name is Kathy and I am not really sure when my tinnitus started. Last summer I had a lot of sinus problems from probably allergies and lots of blowing my nose. I heard the hissing going on but thought it was the allergy. It would come and go until in October my ear popped and couldn't hear well so went to ENT. Had ear wax removed thinking this would solve the hissing. Hearing test result had some age related hearing loss and tinnitus. Was handed a printout explaining tinnitus and went home. By November it was so bad, online searching and found a "tinnitus expert". Told me hearing aids would help, sold me a very expensive pair. It is now February and still no relief with my very expensive hearing aids.

Thankful I have found this site, thank you all. Still suffering!

Welcome to the forum. Hearing aids are generally used for tinnitus caused by hearing loss. From your description, it seems your tinnitus is from sinus infection or ETD. Have you checked with expert that you don't have a ETD issue? Do you feel blockage of the eustachian tube? It is good to have second opinion and check it out. In the meantime, perhaps try masking your tinnitus to reduce the suffering from it. Have you done it? Take care. God bless.

 

[KathyN48]

Hi Billie thank you for your post. The ENT dr I went to said I had no sinus infection, unfortunately did not seek 2nd opinion. Had appt with my internist 2 weeks ago as my anxiety level was through the roof, B/P high, heart rate high, tinnitus at a 10 gave Rx for Xanax for 2 weeks, he said he would reach out to my ent dr that maybe I needed a scan. Well he never did so I found this brain wellness dr locally and had appt Fri 2/21. He is a psychiatrist who treats patients with this eeg brain cap. Had this done with this cap with holes in it, put gel in each hole did a scan, showd the scan and said my brain full of anxiety, then attached this horseshoe looking device on the left and right side which felt like a tapping on my head. Sat with me and said he would like to try this on me twice a week for the next 10 weeks as he said tinnitus come from a misfire in the brain causing the auditory cortex to send these sounds to my ear. He does not take insurance and fri appt cost me 350.00. Next visits would be a discounted rate of 150 each. Really can't afford this, they said the would work with me. He also prescribed Xanax and Bupropion. It is Sun morning and the hissing is at an 8. Use the app tinnitus play everyday, in tears right now. Thank god for this forum Gol Bless Kathy

 

[glynis]

@KathyN48,

If you have allergies the extra mucus can cause tinnitus or spike it.

At night and in the day sinus mucus can go down your throat causing post nasal drip and at night block up your tubes.

A strong antihistamine and steroid nasal spray will help as it builds up over a few days.
An extra pillow at night helps nasal drainage.

love Glynis

 

[KathyN48]

Hi Glynis, thank you for your reply any help/suggestions are a godsend to me. This is so horrible any tips to manage my life better will help everyone learn how to cope. God Bless Kathy

 

[LindaS]

Hi Kathy N48

You mentioned a hearing test showed age related hearing loss. I too have hearing loss and I was disappointed at first that my hearing aids were not doing as much for the tinnitus as I hoped they would.

I still wear them though because my audiologist told me if hearing loss is not corrected, then remaining hearing will decline faster. I didn't think they were doing much for me at first but now that I've worn them every day I have noticed the odd time when I turn on the sound in my aids, it does sometimes settle down my ear. (either that or it is distracting my brain).

Are you still wearing yours? Have you found any improvement with them?

Did you find any relief from the EEG brain cap procedure?