Looking for a Diagnosis in Adelaide, Australia

[Luke O'Flaherty]

I've had tinnitus for many years but its only in the last few months that it has rapidly increased in intensity to become problematic. I went to my local GP who referred me to an ENT specialist.

However, since this specialist doesn't "bulk bill" I found I was looking at a cost of around $500 that included potential tests, which for me is financially prohibitive. After a failed search for an ENT specialist that bulk bills, my GP then referred me to the local public hospital, which replied with notice of a 3-year waiting list.

Obviously the first step in dealing with my tinnitus is to have it medically diagnosed, but how can I get this done against such a financial barrier?

 

[billie48]

Sorry about your dilemma with the medial cost and the inefficient public health care of long waiting line. I think we face similar problem here in Canada. Saying that, don't put all your eggs in one basket with the ENT visit. He/she can only help you if your T is related to T caused by problems with the ears due to medical reason. If your T is from acoustic trauma, stress, ototoxic drugs or myriads of other causes, ENTs may not be able to help and in such case they will just tell you to learn to live with it. LOL.

Since you have had tinnitus for a long time and now facing a spike, you can check the following possible causes to see if you have something happening to you at the time of the spike.

There are many causes, single or combined, which can trigger or aggravate tinnitus including but not limited to drug side-effects from ototoxic drugs, ear wax build-up, ear-wax removal suction, inner ear infection, Eustachian tube disorder or ETD, ear drum injury, fluid build-up in ears feeling pressured or fullness, sinus infection & congestion especially with a bad cold, TMJ, TTTS, autoimmune disorders such as Lyme Disease & Fibromyalgia, high blood pressure or blood circulation problem, anemia, loud noise exposure or acoustic trauma/shock, acoustic neuroma tumor, head injury or TBI, neck injury or muscle problems, hearing loss from aging or other causes, Meniere's Decease, barotrauma from rapid pressure changes in flights or diving, especially with congested nose or sinus causing failure to balance the pressure changes, slapping of the ears, deep grief, untreated sleep apnea, extreme/extended stress, anxiety & panic disorder, depression, sleep deprivation, etc.

T can also be caused or made worse by unhealthy diet such as too much salt, sugar, caffeine, MSG, alcohol, gluten etc. or by lacking some mineral or vitamin supplements, such as Magnesium, Zinc, B12, D3 etc.

Good luck and take care. God bless.

 

[Samantha R]

@Luke O'Flaherty
Sorry to hear about your tinnitus increase.
I think it's worthwhile seeing an ENT - just a consult anyway. Most likely you will be referred for a hearing test and an MRI. You might decide to hold off on the MRI, it's to check for acoustic neuroma which is reasonably uncommon anyway.
I'm in Victoria and I'm not sure there are any ENT's that bulk bill either. However, with the Medicare rebate, you would be looking at around $100 for the consult (without doing any tests). A hearing test cost me around $70, and if the ENT refers you, you will get Medicare rebate on this as well.
If you can afford the ENT consult alone, then it would be worthwhile. You can then decide when / if to take any further tests.
Hope that helps.
Samantha.

 

[Bobby B]

3 year waiting list !!

And after the wait they will tell you that nothing can be done

 

[Fleegle]

@Luke O'Flaherty - sorry abt your tinnitus. I am in Oz but not in Adelaide.
Try first to figure our what YOU feel is wrong with you - look at your history and see what causes or symptoms you have had. This might guide you. I like @billie48 's comments.
Get a referral from your GP to an ENT - make sure the referral is to someone that understands and not "just a regular ENT". Try a google search for ENTs and get some reviews - sounds weird but there are many that are starting to get reviews from their patients.
Get your bulk-bill GP to do a full blood work. This is possible under MC. All vitamins, minerals, fats, salts, etc.
If your GP can do it, then get a CT and or MRI to be bulk billed. Also see if you can get to a dentist and get your OPGs. Again, up to you and your issue. From memory the CT can bulk bill but the MRI cannot be billed - but MC will rebate around half that. You can get a free basic audio test at many places that won't really tell you anything (just where your ears are in the audio spectrum), but a more extensive test can be had from BUPA (for example) for $49 for members. There are also audiologists that will do more testing and rate accordingly - look around for these.
All the best and keep in touch.

 

[Holly1987]

@Luke O'Flaherty
Sorry to hear about your tinnitus increase.
I think it's worthwhile seeing an ENT - just a consult anyway. Most likely you will be referred for a hearing test and an MRI. You might decide to hold off on the MRI, it's to check for acoustic neuroma which is reasonably uncommon anyway.
I'm in Victoria and I'm not sure there are any ENT's that bulk bill either. However, with the Medicare rebate, you would be looking at around $100 for the consult (without doing any tests). A hearing test cost me around $70, and if the ENT refers you, you will get Medicare rebate on this as well.
If you can afford the ENT consult alone, then it would be worthwhile. You can then decide when / if to take any further tests.
Hope that helps.
Samantha.

Hey Samantha

Have you seen an ENT that was helpful? I'm in Canberra and paid a lot to see someone who wasn't very helpful. Very willing to travel for someone good!

 

[Samantha R]

@Holly1987
No sorry.... my ENT was not much help, and not very compassionate.
I wouldn't go near him again, purely for his seeming lack of care towards me. I got the "learn to live with it" and shoved out the door.
I wish I knew of a good one, but alas, I don't.

 

[Holly1987]

I'm sorry that happened to you, my experience was exactly the same.

 

[Fleegle]

I clicked "like" on @Samantha R's comment - Not saying I like it, but your comment fits my experience exactly. ENT took a look at the audiogram, did not even do a consult, and said "if we could cure Tinnitus then we would both be lying on a beach somewhere as millionaires". Oh he cleaned my ears that I had already cleaned them the night before.
@Luke O'Flaherty there's an ENT with tinnitus in Brisbane that I found either by a google search or through this forum.
Try googling "Adelaide ENT" (I know that's a big search result) and then try to narrow down.

Also look for a support group in your state or city like this: http://www.tinnitussa.com.au/

Or the Australian Tinnitus Association http://www.tinnitus.asn.au/
Head Office: Suite 2.07, Level 2
46-50 Kent Road
Mascot NSW 2020
Australia
Office Hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Postal Address: PO Box 638, Mascot NSW 1460, Australia
Telephone: +61 2 8339 1899
Email: info@tinnitus.asn.au

I hope this helps.

 

[Samantha R]

@Fleegle
No problem, I understand completely why you clicked "like".
I think it's many of our experiences.
I kind of already knew there was no cure, but he gave me no further support, offers of medication, referrals for CBT, TRT or anything like that.
Worst part for me was I had 1 month old twins and a 19 month old son, so I was clearly under the pump and distressed and his lack of concern was disgusting to be honest.
Surely they are aware of the distress that tinnitus causes. To dismiss someone who is particulary vulnerable is negligent in my opinion.
I also contacted the Victorian tinnitus association and they actually DON'T have support groups as they felt everyone would focus on their tinnitus too much!
I benefited the most from meeting a fellow TT member in person (we happened to live in the same town). The support I get from her is amazing and I hope I've been able to support her too.

 

[Samantha R]

@Holly1987
Ah, no problem. Sorry to hear you had a similar experience, it doesn't surprise me to be honest.
Like I said above, they should at least be aware of the distress it causes even if they don't have a cure. I feel like they have a duty of care to refer on to say a psychiatrist, psychologist, audiologist or something like that.
At least discuss the options that are there, even if there is no cure.
All I was told was to use a fan a night. Such a bloody joke. I was 1 month post partum and seriously suicidal.

 

[Fleegle]

@Holly1987 totally agree. A lot of people don't get it. I can't really be angry when people say "well, if I had a noise I know I could handle it". But to hear something like that from an ENT is just wrong. The second one I went to made me feel better about it because he actually did something in the consult - like check sinuses and ears. Well done - but that first guy?
There are people on here from your city/my city. Meet up with them or create a support group of your own.
The group in my city seemed to shut down as soon as I started asking about it. Doesn't help that govt doesn't seem to recognise T as an issue.

 

[billie48]

ENT took a look at the audiogram, did not even do a consult, and said "if we could cure Tinnitus then we would both be lying on a beach somewhere as millionaires".

Your ENT is actually much more civilized and has some sense of humor compared to mine. My ENT said 'The only way I can stop your tinnitus is to SHOOT you!". What a jerk! Was he suggesting to a desperate and depressed me back then to just blow my head off to stop the suffering? Gosh!!!

 

[Fleegle]

Hi - I am wondering how everyone in this thread was doing?

I am going to see an ENT in Brisbane that was mentioned in another thread. If my tinnitus is somatic and caused by a spinal or cervical spine issue, then maybe he can help?

It was Dr. Andrew Lomas in Brisbane.