Probably the Worst Thing That Can Happen!

[JoshuaD2002]

@JoshuaD2002,
Tinnitus needs time to settle with no quick fix as time works wonders.
Let ENT do there job removing the wax and it should help and try stay relaxed as it is early days still presume it's here to stay...don't let your anxiety take hold playing mind games...
love glynis

I just feel like you really think it's done damage but you won't say it.
Glynis. Do you think permanent damage was done even if there was alot of wax making it quieter in that ear? Even thinking back I don't remember it being too loud. But Glynis I really want to hear your view so I can be prepared.

 

[glynis]

All I can say is wax causes tinnitus for so many people and most people notice a big difference soon after like you should if due to the wax after a couple of days.
Try to focus on tomorrow and let us know how you get on.
We can then support you further..
Try not to worry but I can not give you an answer if it's permanent know one can at this point until your ears are wax free but we are all here for you.
love glynis

 

[glynis]

Try to sleep with soft relaxing music on and will catch up with you tomorrow when I can.
I'm off to sleep now so goodnight.
love glynis

 

[JoshuaD2002]

Try to sleep with soft relaxing music on and will catch up with you tomorrow when I can.
I'm off to sleep now so goodnight.
love glynis

Glynis would you classify my incident as an acoustic trauma?

Again I know people who have accidents like me, where many plates have fallen out their cupboards and such - they don't report any tinnitus.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

Microsuction is Always a bad idea. Many people here got permanent spikes as a result of microsuction. Try to find an ENT who agrees to use manual implements to remove the wax.

Hello Bill. As I said above, I do now have a slight high pitched ring approximately 38 hours after the incident where two bowls and a cup smashed. I thought I'd be ok because my left ear is very blocked and I assumed it would be protected to some extent because I can't hear out of it very well. I guess not.

Would you say this is an acoustic trauma I've had? I look back and I don't remember it being that loud, and it took me many hours to remember the incident today after noticing the new noise. It just didn't seem significant. I'm pretty scared now that Cochlear nerve cells were damaged by the smashings.

You know, I've seen and heard of incidents where people have dropped loads of plates and cups. They've been fine! Not me... your thoughts?

 

[Bill Bauer]

Would you say this is an acoustic trauma I've had? I look back and I don't remember it being that loud, and it took me many hours to remember the incident today after noticing the new noise.

I have had something similar happen to me. A heavy glass plate fell two feet (half a meter) onto another glass plate. This was about a foot from my bad ear. I've had many spikes, so I can't really remember how long that particular spike had lasted. It was somewhere between 1 and 3 months. It had certainly interfered with my healing, but eventually it was gone.

I look back and I don't remember it being that loud, and it took me many hours to remember the incident today after noticing the new noise. It just didn't seem significant. I'm pretty scared now that Cochlear nerve cells were damaged by the smashings.

I am pretty sure that you haven't damaged anything. That said, it is still possible to cause a long or even a permanent T spike. Most of the time, the spikes end up being temporary, though. And it didn't even sound too loud to you - surely you will (eventually) recover.

Your experience proves that many of these spikes have nothing to do with stress. You were not concerned about that noise shock, and still got a spike...

 

[dpdx]

Except that it's loud. Too loud.

Suction-generated noise in an anatomic silicon ear model.

"Average noise levels during normal suction in a distance of 1 cm in front of the eardrum ranged between 97 and 103.5 dB(A) (broadband noise). Peak noise levels reached 118 dB(A). During partial obstruction of the sucker by cerumen or dermal flakes, peak noise levels reached 146 dB(A)."

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22740154/

wow

 

[JoshuaD2002]

I have had something similar happen to me. A heavy glass plate fell two feet (half a meter) onto another glass plate. This was about a foot from my bad ear. I've had many spikes, so I can't really remember how long that particular spike had lasted. It was somewhere between 1 and 3 months. It had certainly interfered with my healing, but eventually it was gone.

I am pretty sure that you haven't damaged anything. That said, it is still possible to cause a long or even a permanent T spike. Most of the time, the spikes end up being temporary, though. And it didn't even sound too loud to you - surely you will (eventually) recover.

Your experience proves that many of these spikes have nothing to do with stress. You were not concerned about that noise shock, and still got a spike...

It's not really a spike it's a new noise

Onset is way after the exposure.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Onset is way after the exposure.

My T began on day 10 after the exposure, so I pay attention when people mention these delays. Those delays are common and long.

It's not really a spike it's a new noise

I define a spike as any change in T that makes it harder to ignore. People get new noises, T spreads to their good ear, etc - I would classify all of those as spikes. All of these spikes can be temporary.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

My T began on day 10 after the exposure, so I pay attention when people mention these delays. Those delays are common and long.

I define a spike as any change in T that makes it harder to ignore. People get new noises, T spreads to their good ear, etc - I would classify all of those as spikes. All of these spikes can be temporary.

It's a tricky one because it also started the morning after I had put a fair amount of olive oil in, so I'm torn between whether the kitchenware is responsible or this blockage.

At the moment the noise starts, stops for a second, starts again, stops for a second. Strange. I would certainly be surprised if this causes a long term issue because I'm pretty sure people have worse noise exposures and are fine. And again the ear with the tinnitus was blocked so the sound would've been slightly deflected.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

Does a small off topic thing here.
It seems new people to the forum get asked, have you ever used earphones? If yes, it's assumed that's the cause. You know, there'd be millions millions more with tinnitus. It's about earphone usage at dangerous levels, for extended periods every day.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

@glynis @Bill Bauer
My mum just got a call to say the woman that does the microsuction has gone home sick and that it'll be tomorrow at 1pm.

My mum expressed to her my concern and the person says she's very gentle and very careful and if at any point I want her to stop I just have to say.

Difficult decision. This microsuction is not being done at an ENT dedicated place. It's being done at a Practice Surgery. All I know is that the lady who comes in to the surgery is a trained professional and is experienced.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

You'll certainly experience much worse in the coming years. Accidents happen. And most of the times there is no need to worry..

But when a new tinnitus follows...
Anyhow I don't know if you are aware of this YouTuber, Logan Paul. He was in the news at the beginning of the year for a rather appalling incident where he filmed a dead body. Look at this very immature video he did

Yet I accidentally smash 2 bowls and a cup, also with a wax impacted ear, and still get tinnitus in that ear.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

But when a new tinnitus follows...
Anyhow I don't know if you are aware of this YouTuber, Logan Paul. He was in the news at the beginning of the year for a rather appalling incident where he filmed a dead body. Look at this very immature video he did

Yet I accidentally smash 2 bowls and a cup, also with a wax impacted ear, and still get tinnitus in that ear.

I don't get how this happened. Just a high pitched rattling. It could be the wax but I'm doubtful. It did start after I used alot more olive oil than usual... But really if those bowls have ruined my life I'll be confused.

 

[Gman]

There are ENTs at top private hospitals who don't say anything about using ear drops prior to micro suction. The first time I had it performed I had by chance used ear wax drops, but that's precisely what triggered my T.

As loud and uncomfortable as that procedure was, it was quick. It didn't worsen my T, as mine was not sound induced and at that stage it was totally stable and I did not have hyperacusis. I had to have it again after 6 months and my T did not worsen. It didn't go away either unforutnately.
Hopefully yours will @JoshuaD2002.

Having said that, I wouldn't consider microsuction again, so have no idea what to do next time...

 

[JoshuaD2002]

There are ENTs at top private hospitals who don't say anything about using ear drops prior to micro suction. The first time I had it performed I had by chance used ear wax drops, but that's precisely what triggered my T.

As loud and uncomfortable as that procedure was, it was quick. It didn't worsen my T, as mine was not sound induced and at that stage it was totally stable and I did not have hyperacusis. I had to have it again after 6 months and my T did not worsen. It didn't go away either unforutnately.
Hopefully yours will @JoshuaD2002.

Having said that, I wouldn't consider microsuction again, so have no idea what to do next time...

Drops triggered it?

 

[Gman]

Drops triggered it?

Yeah as far as I can tell.

 

[Bill Bauer]

Look at this very immature video he did

You don't know whether or not those people were fine afterwards.

Difficult decision.

I am not sure why this decision is difficult for you. You are so sensitive that you got a spike after two plates got smashed nearby. Microsuction is loud. Your risk of not being ok after microsuction seems to be high. Why not cancel this appointment and look for an ENT who would clean your ears with manual tools?

 

[JoshuaD2002]

Something quite scary. Whenever I've had a very blocked ear, I seem to be less able to hear high frequency sounds (at like 8000Hz, which of course, would be considered a nerve-related loss. Even now, if I do a quick test with myself, I have to turn the volume up to hear the high frequencies. Whenever the ear has unblocked I can hear them again, but it scares me nonetheless and I have it right now, just the high frequencies. There is no reason I should have a high frequency loss related to damage, because I have a long history of ear tests - only this February where I was confirmed to have zero damage. There is no underlying causes that have presented any symptoms. I think I heard somewhere that blockages effect how the high frequencies are collected by the ear?

 

[JoshuaD2002]

I'm hoping someone isn't going to completely scare me and say its hearing loss. I've definetley had this before. A few weeks ago my wax clogged my ear, and I tested that ear on the high frequencies and could not hear them unless the volume was up high. The next morning, when the wax moved, the frequencies came back. I doubt this to be sudden hearing loss because there are other symptoms I'm not having. But yeah I'm a bit scared now because those high frequencies are gone again, of course only since I pushed the wax further with the wax. So, it must be the blockage? @Bill Bauer @glynis

 

[JoshuaD2002]

I have a theory that's making me scared. What if I actually did have sudden hearing loss, but it recovered, but now it's back again with tinnitus? I mean, those high frequencies really are gone in the blocked ear, but only when it's blocked...

I think I'll have to go head with the micro-suction... but there's no reason for me to have sudden hearing loss after all the testing I've gone through.

All I know is that I know I'm going to see a big improvement after suction, because my hearing loss happened the moment I prodded the wax with a cotton bud. Guys do you think the high frequency loss indicates I have sudden hearing loss? Please I'm scared I've had this before but still scared.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

@glynis
You've been very supportive. I've hit an all time low. Here's the situation.

I decided go ahead with micro-suction. Even the trained nurse said it looked very soft. So we did. I'm aware she got parts out. She said she can see more of the drum. After each little bit she got out, we had a small break where I debated whether we should go on. Probably about 10 seconds in total of loud noise in my ear, I had to say: no we can't go on.

I'm scared as ever, because my left ear doesn't feel any different really, still muffled and blocked! Now I'm really really scared Glynis, after everything ive read, that maybe the reason it's still muffled is because she damaged my ear! Very scared now. Do you think she did? It was a short time but was loud, some of the pops that happened. The noise never hurt me though.

So yes there's was still in there but surely it shouldn't be so muffled! At the end I said please can we try using manual tool, and she tried, and she moved it slightly but it caught a hair on my canal and too painful!

But it's still muffled. Just as ever. Do you think damage was done!?? Tinnitus doesn't seem worse but... still muffled Glynis things ive read online... at least I made the decision to stop after a short time. hmm I take that back it is worse I think though i did put lots of oil in. Oh dear what have I done help me

 

[JoshuaD2002]

@glynis
You've been very supportive. I've hit an all time low. Here's the situation.

I decided go ahead with micro-suction. Even the trained nurse said it looked very soft. So we did. I'm aware she got parts out. She said she can see more of the drum. After each little bit she got out, we had a small break where I debated whether we should go on. Probably about 10 seconds in total of loud noise in my ear, I had to say: no we can't go on.

I'm scared as ever, because my left ear doesn't feel any different really, still muffled and blocked! Now I'm really really scared Glynis, after everything ive read, that maybe the reason it's still muffled is because she damaged my ear! Very scared now. Do you think she did? It was a short time but was loud, some of the pops that happened. The noise never hurt me though.

So yes there's was still in there but surely it shouldn't be so muffled! At the end I said please can we try using manual tool, and she tried, and she moved it slightly but it caught a hair on my canal and too painful!

But it's still muffled. Just as ever. Do you think damage was done!?? Tinnitus doesn't seem worse but... still muffled Glynis things ive read online... at least I made the decision to stop after a short time. hmm I take that back it is worse I think though i did put lots of oil in. Oh dear what have I done help me

@Gman @dpdx
There was no "clarinetting" and I don't think there was partial obstruction of the suction instrument because noise of 140db would've hurt me and I didn't once feel pain.

 

[TuneOut]

@Gman @dpdx
There was no "clarinetting" and I don't think there was partial obstruction of the suction instrument because noise of 140db would've hurt me and I didn't once feel pain.

Have you tried using drops of oil to soften the wax? I've heard recommendations of a few times per day for a week. It might come out on its own afterwards.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

Have you tried using drops of oil to soften the wax? I've heard recommendations of a few times per day for a week. It might come out on its own afterwards.

I'm scared the suction did damage because things seem potentially more distorted. This could be because there was an attempt to remove manually but I don't know.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

I'm scared the suction did damage because things seem potentially more distorted. This could be because there was an attempt to remove manually but I don't know.

@glynis do you think I've become a victim of microsuction hearing loss

 

[Starthrower]

@JoshuaD2002 Please stop being obsessive! This is not going to help you. And please don't expect medical opinions from @glynis or anyone here. She is going through a tough time at the moment. She has given you all the advise necessary.

And stop putting stuff in your ears!!

I remember the first few months trying all sorts of stuff and almost had a garden growing in my ear canal!!

The muffled hearing is rather unsettling but it does clear up in time. You may have a need for sinus medication or other attention by your doctor.

 

[glynis]

@JoshuaD2002 ,
Try nasil drops and try steam inhalation incase you have mucus hanging around in your tubes.
If your ears got a little inflamed with the microsuction it will soon settle down so no long term damadge.
After trying the above and no joy pop in see your doctor.
love glynis

It's been a sad time losing a member whom passed away and had a bit of time on twitter and theTH facebook group putting up Memorial posts and on here so only just read your post.
You need to relax and calm down and may be talking therapy for Anxiety .

 

[JoshuaD2002]

@JoshuaD2002 ,
Try nasil drops and try steam inhalation incase you have mucus hanging around in your tubes.
If your ears got a little inflamed with the microsuction it will soon settle down so no long term damadge.
After trying the above and no joy pop in see your doctor.
love glynis

I really hope the microsuction didn't make me lose hearing. I can't stop thinking about it. Do you think it has or is it unlikely? Need to hear it from a sane person.

 

[Bill Bauer]

I'm scared as ever, because my left ear doesn't feel any different really, still muffled and blocked! Now I'm really really scared Glynis, after everything ive read, that maybe the reason it's still muffled is because she damaged my ear!

If your ear Were damaged, your ear would feel MORE full, and T would be louder. It wouldn't feel exactly like it did before the procedure.

It is a well known fact (or at least I've read about it in countless posts here) that once the wax is gone, it takes a while for T to begin to fade. It takes months for it to go away. There is no instant resolution/cure, as far as the ear is concerned.

In any case, as long as you don't get worse, I wouldn't worry about it. Having said this, I have no idea why you took that risk, when you didn't have to take it. It was just not worth it...