Opinions Please

[Grantas]

Afternoon / Evening /Morning All,

Just looking for an opinion / shared experience.

In March 2017, I was diagnosed with unilateral low frequency hearing loss, categorised as SSHL, potentially brought about by a terrible flu illness.

It of course started with aural fullness before the Tinnitus switch was turned on. And there it remained.

I very unimpressed by my ENT and by what I've read, many of them are at a loss in regards to hearing loss of this nature. My MRI was clear. No ear drum pressure / damage.

I'd always suffered with minor sinus issues, but my ENT dismissed this as the cause. As far as he was concerned, the hearing loss was the reason for the tinnitus.

As time progressed, my tinnitus would come and go, sometimes varying in volume from one day to the next. Sometimes all would be quiet, only for the sound to return as and when it pleased, as would the aural fullness.

I began to notice that when the fullness returned, the T started. Sometimes, however, I'd have the T without the fullness. Time progressed and I habituated to a degree.

Fast forward to March this year. I was watching TV and felt unwell - like a cold. Then he vertigo hit me and my world was spinning for 10 minutes. I only had three bouts of vertigo.

Since then, I've been constantly light-headed. Ironically, the fullness and loud T have left me during this time.

All of this has convinced me that it's sinus / ETD related, with a pinch of hearing loss. Trying to get a doctor to see my point of view is nigh on impossible.

I've been using a saline spray and Nasonex daily for 6 weeks, but can't shift the light-headed feeling.

It's like I've traded my T for something else unpleasant. I'm frustrated at the ignorance of some 'professionals'.

 

[Pleasure_Paulie]

It sounds to me like many of these conditions, its very hard to diagnose. Has the doctor ever suggested taking Serc at all?

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@Grantas Not sure to your problem, but nasal congestion from a severe cold or flu with maybe a sinus infection can create abnormal pressure in the middle ear causing ringing. Maybe @glynis might have an opinion with medication advice.

 

[Grantas]

Thank you @Greg Sacramento

 

[glynis]

@Grantas ,
You might have had a touch of Labyrinthitus from a cold virus.
Another reason could be allergies so you produce more mucous in your nose and ears or even a blocked nose.
I would try steam inhalation and an antihistamine to reduce mucous and try Sudafed to clear your tubes.
A nose spray is good also .
If you keep getting vertigo then other ear conditions need looking into but meds like Buccastem or Betahistine or Proclorperazine will stop it.
Love glynis

 

[Grantas]

Thank you @glynis x

 

[Grantas]

It sounds to me like many of these conditions, its very hard to diagnose. Has the doctor ever suggested taking Serc at all?

Thanks @Pleasure_Paulie. I have an appointment on Monday and will discuss this

 

[dingaling]

Labyrinthitis is common with the flu virus and should calm itself down.

What are you doing when the vertigo starts and how would you best describe it?

 

[GregCA]

All of this has convinced me that it's sinus / ETD related, with a pinch of hearing loss. Trying to get a doctor to see my point of view is nigh on impossible.

They may consider it but not believe it's likely.

Have they looked into Endolymphatic Hydrops/Meniere's?

 

[Grantas]

Labyrinthitis is common with the flu virus and should calm itself down.

What are you doing when the vertigo starts and how would you best describe it?

I didn't get the vertigo symptoms until a year after the hearing loss diagnosis and the onset of T.

The vertigo began when I was on the couch. Had one terrible night where the world was spinning but then it subsided. I only had 3 episodes, but a mild light headed feeling has remained.

 

[Grantas]

They may consider it but not believe it's likely.

Have they looked into Endolymphatic Hydrops/Meniere's?

Thanks Greg. Hydrops hasn't yet been considered and Menieres was considered unlikely. This opinion was a year ago, however. Vertigo has never been a symptom since diagnosis until now

 

[Grantas]

It sounds to me like many of these conditions, its very hard to diagnose. Has the doctor ever suggested taking Serc at all?

I've been prescribed Serc. Let's see how I go and thanks again Paulie