Worst Setback Ever After Being Exposed to Ultrasonic Power Scaler at the Dentist — Please Help Me

[Alex99]

Yesterday I went for a dental exam of which they decided to do a partial cleaning (bottom teeth) I specifically made clear I am sound sensitive, and also have tinnitus.

She said ok, some patients use headphones of which I didn't think would make much difference due to bone conduction.

Anyways it was back and forth if she have time to do a cleaning and I feel she manipulated me. She first said 'let me exam your teeth' then started doing it manually with a water pic..
Next thing I know she brings out a tool I have never even heard of, the ultrasonic power scaler. I only learned after what it was by googling


Well I am literally in the worst setback with original bells type tinnitus in my ear which only means it will turn into something else. I have chronic hyperacusis.

I am so angry at myself. I did put my hands up to stop when she hit back molars and she did NOT! After she said I have two more mins I said" No" and she acted annoyed.

When dentist came in she said 'I did best I could' prior to his examination.

I am really upset. I called them this morning and explained what is now happening and they were rude and dismissive.

I don't know why I didn't stand up for myself. I did want a cleaning but a manual one, however I was in there for my wisdom tooth!

They also did work not covered under my benefit plan and then had audacity to charge me at end of appointment!

I am so angry. Scared. I feel this will be my permanent worsening and it is all my fault. I should of made her stop immediately.

On their website it states how ethical they are in the treatment of patients. Wrong! I have never felt so invisible, mistreated and dismissed while receiving 'medical care'

Sorry is long. My last dentist was amazing but sadly he retired. They understood my conditions for most part and cleaned manually. So I did not know what this tool was in all these years

I feel I have hit a wall. I am not able to live with severe hyperacusis and laser tinnitus.

I am single mother. I am alone in this otherwise. (No one understands)

I am so scared. Truly I don't think I have it in me to go through this again.. It took years after severe hyperacusis (onset) & worsened tinnitus to lead a semi normal life. Now divorced on top of it. I was just getting my life together!

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[robHing]

I am sorry to read your story.
A person with both T & H is much easier to be spiked by loud noise.
Please stay calm and rest well. Giving sometime, it will subside.
God bless !

 

[glynis]

You could complain in writing to make sure others with tinnitus and Hyperacusis don't get treated that way.
They need a course in handling these problems.
Try relax and chill out and let us know how you are tomorrow .
Having your mouth open wide can put pressure on the jaw joint causing you to have a spike also.

love glynis

 

[Alex99]

You could complain in writing to make sure others with tinnitus and Hyperacusis don't get treated that way.
They need a course in handling these problems.
Try relax and chill out and let us know how you are tomorrow .
Having your mouth open wide can put pressure on the jaw joint causing you to have a spike also.

love glynis

I can leave a google review, but yes a letter sounds good. Direct. More impact, since clearly my protest and explanation of T &H and subsequent risks of drills was not enough!

Thanks @glynis ! Also I would of rated kind as well!

&..oddly they have a high rating and great reviews (some negative ones) but I need my two wisdom teeth out next week. It is already scheduled..do I want to go back? No! I feel traumatized and distrustful.

And today with the receptionist being rude after I explained the situation, what the Hygienist disregarded yesterday, and now my spike and severe increase in H ( I have to whisper!) She was dismissive and laughed "I can ask the Hygienist to do manual cleaning- but that's what not what we do here..hahaha'

Sincerely with my ex husband I had great benefits and a great dentist and treated very well. Now alone and on disability, I am treated very poorly. This is 3rd dentistry I have had issues with in 1.5 yrs. I keep looking for a good one but clearly it is a money thing. A Prejudice thing.

I do want to do something... this is unacceptable. The hygienist knew I could not be around drills or high frequencies yet pulled this tool out?!

Ethical? I think not.

I took 600 mg of magnesium glycinate and going to grab NAC. Drinking chammomile tea and taking deep breaths.

Is just so hard ...very reminiscent of first days, many, many moons ago

 

[Tinniger]

I'm just wondering if the noise or the vibration of the ultrasound scalers is the problem.

After Ultrasound cleaning I also had a Horror Tinnitus evening, but in the morning after that only the usual hissing....

Hope that your "Spike" gets better over night, too...

 

[coffee_girl]

I am utterly upset just reading your post! though i know it doesn't help. I can't believe it! People are so awful, i can honestly say that t is a horrible condition that is massively under reported on today's media. Nobody cares and it Leads to this kind of irresponsible behavior. Something that will impact the victim for life! Just awful

 

[Yoshi]

You did the right thing. I had my first ultrasonic cleaning in November, the whole appointment took around around an hour with breaks throughout. The only thing that made me uncomfortable was when the ultrasonic scaler touched the molars and wisdom teeth, which transmitted the sound directly into my cochlea. I didn't think to stop the dentist since I thought it was necessary. Next day I woke up with diminished hearing. Thought it was earwax at first and went to a doctor to check. Doctor told me I had very little earwax, and referred me to a hearing test. Well, took the hearing test and turns out I had a 10 dB drop in the 2 kHz range. Had another hearing test done, but at another clinic and the results matched the previous one. Now I feel I have a slightly harder time understanding people speaking further away and a hard time hearing someone talking right beside me on the bus.

You were absolutely in the right, ultrasonic scalers are rarely medically necessary for cleanings, dentists choose to use them because it puts less stress on their wrists and takes less time. Ultrasonic scalers measure about 86 dB from 15 cm away from the source, taking into account there's no loss of intensity when the sound is transmitted from the scaler to the cochlea through a hard medium like the skull, the sound must be significantly greater than 86 dB. How much louder? Until research is done on this, which requires the dental profession to take hearing loss seriously, we will never know.

 

[Static Sophie 73]

Please ask for a manual clean only and insist the dentist not use that ultrasonic cleaner. I did this at my last dentist visit a few months ago and my dentist was happy to oblige with a manual clean, it was quiet and effective in removing the plaque. I didn't have a lot of plaque which helped too.

Having T changes your life in many subtle ways like a visit to the dentist as you've now learnt.

 

[Alex99]

I'm just wondering if the noise or the vibration of the ultrasound scalers is the problem.

After Ultrasound cleaning I also had a Horror Tinnitus evening, but in the morning after that only the usual hissing....

Hope that your "Spike" gets better over night, too...

Thank you. 2nd night now

Currently it is fluctuating between high pitch frequency sound, to then loud hissing. So all over..oh! But 1500mg of NAC did quiet it alot later last night. Only temp though.

My H is just horrific. I want to cry (and probably will at some point if it doesn't abate some) I have instant headache with sounds, some neuralgia & ear pain.

Yes! to is it db or vibration?. Not sure...as both were bad. I can definitely say was my back wisdom and molars though!

 

[Alex99]

I am utterly upset just reading your post! though i know it doesn't help. I can't believe it! People are so awful, i can honestly say that t is a horrible condition that is massively under reported on today's media. Nobody cares and it Leads to this kind of irresponsible behavior. Something that will impact the victim for life! Just awful

Honestly that is half of what makes this so hard. They didn't care.

 

[Alex99]

Please ask for a manual clean only and insist the dentist not use that ultrasonic cleaner. I did this at my last dentist visit a few months ago and my dentist was happy to oblige with a manual clean, it was quiet and effective in removing the plaque. I didn't have a lot of plaque which helped too.

Having T changes your life in many subtle ways like a visit to the dentist as you've now learnt.

Crazily enough, I did ask for a manual cleaning. I told her beforehand I could not handle drills. I had never heard of the ultrasonic cleaner before. She literally pulled it out from behind me and blasted away. Why did I grin and bear it?! I don't know but it wasn't long before I waved my hand to stop. She didn't. She stopped only second time and even she insisted for '2 more mins' I said ' No, I can't handle it'

I don't know why she used the damn thing, but she kept looking at her watch and sighing when doing it manually. She knew I was sensitive and had tinnitus. Told me to plug my ear! Uhm..I had to explain occlusion effect and she looked at me like I was nuts.

I called and complained yesterday and they made me feel like an idiot. " That's how we do cleanings here"

Anyways doesn't matter. It's done. However I feel like I need to do something and maybe the letter or truly, just going into the office and complaining again, so they can see my pain! and then taking my xrays with me.

 

[Alex99]

You did the right thing. I had my first ultrasonic cleaning in November, the whole appointment took around around an hour with breaks throughout. The only thing that made me uncomfortable was when the ultrasonic scaler touched the molars and wisdom teeth, which transmitted the sound directly into my cochlea. I didn't think to stop the dentist since I thought it was necessary. Next day I woke up with diminished hearing. Thought it was earwax at first and went to a doctor to check. Doctor told me I had very little earwax, and referred me to a hearing test. Well, took the hearing test and turns out I had a 10 dB drop in the 2 kHz range. Had another hearing test done, but at another clinic and the results matched the previous one. Now I feel I have a slightly harder time understanding people speaking further away and a hard time hearing someone talking right beside me on the bus.

You were absolutely in the right, ultrasonic scalers are rarely medically necessary for cleanings, dentists choose to use them because it puts less stress on their wrists and takes less time. Ultrasonic scalers measure about 86 dB from 15 cm away from the source, taking into account there's no loss of intensity when the sound is transmitted from the scaler to the cochlea through a hard medium like the skull, the sound must be significantly greater than 86 dB. How much louder? Until research is done on this, which requires the dental profession to take hearing loss seriously, we will never know.

Well it sounded like a power saw in my ear and head. So yes, too loud.

Reading this makes me feel like I may be sick. I am sick over it. And truly very worried.

 

[coffee_girl]

Leave them a scathing review and try to piece things together again to the best of your ability. We just have to hope the anxiety made things worse and the spike will go down

 

[Luman]

My dental hygienist has tinnitus, and a higher than average percentage of dentists do, as well.

 

[Striveon]

I know it is easier said than done, but do not let your emotions get the best of you.

Anxiety and depression can make your symptoms worse, try to focus on other things, I know it's hard, try going on walks, distract your mind, and I am sure and hoping that your spike will go away

good luck and cheers <3

 

[Tex]

The ultrasound scaler killed my ears many years ago. They have cleaned mine manually ever since.

I have read online before about those scalers and T. I can't believe there hasn't been a Class Action Lawsuit against the manufacturer of those things.

We can't blame the dentist, unless we've requested beforehand not to use that tool. That scaler got approved by somebody, I guess the dentistry equivalent of AMA? The dentist was just using an acceptable tool of the profession.

 

[Ed209]

@Alex99, you remind me of how I felt after I had an MRI around March. You have to stop ruminating over it because doing so will keep you in a state of anxiety. In my opinion, this will go back to baseline once you calm your nervous system down. It's eating you up inside, which is totally understandable, but it isn't helping matters and it could also be the cause of your spike. It's practically impossible to seperate real physical trauma from an emotional wobble as they can both feel exactly the same.

You must try and calm your thoughts down and relax your body. Get out in the fresh air and go for a walk, or if possible, go for a swim. Try and preoccupy yourself with other activities. Even cleaning up your house can help.

It's a hideous emotional rollercoaster which I can relate to and I felt enormous guilt for not pushing the button to get out of the MRI. I have ultrasonic scaling sessions every 3 months and have had no issues with them.

 

[Alex99]

The ultrasound scaler killed my ears many years ago. They have cleaned mine manually ever since.

I have read online before about those scalers and T. I can't believe there hasn't been a Class Action Lawsuit against the manufacturer of those things.

We can't blame the dentist, unless we've requested beforehand not to use that tool. That scaler got approved by somebody, I guess the dentistry equivalent of AMA? The dentist was just using an acceptable tool of the profession.

Well I did say I was sound sensitive and could not have drills and asked for manual cleaning. The hygeniest imo with her sighing and looking at watch, went for this obnoxious tool to save time.

As usual they don't understand hyperacusis & tinnitus

Yes a class action lawsuit. I can't believe this tool is allowed..

 

[Alex99]

@Alex99, you remind me of how I felt after I had an MRI around March. You have to stop ruminating over it because doing so will keep you in a state of anxiety. In my opinion, this will go back to baseline once you calm your nervous system down. It's eating you up inside, which is totally understandable, but it isn't helping matters and it could also be the cause of your spike. It's practically impossible to seperate real physical trauma from an emotional wobble as they can both feel exactly the same.

You must try and calm your thoughts down and relax your body. Get out in the fresh air and go for a walk, or if possible, go for a swim. Try and preoccupy yourself with other activities. Even cleaning up your house can help.

It's a hideous emotional rollercoaster which I can relate to and I felt enormous guilt for not pushing the button to get out of the MRI. I have ultrasonic scaling sessions every 3 months and have had no issues with them.

I am trying but I have ear pain and trying to rest my ears as much as possible..However, I have gone for a long walk, and cleaned my house, cooked a nice dinner last night, and even decorated a bit for Halloween. As a single mother I can't stop doing daily things. Problem now is, it hurts alot to do these things.

I really am trying. I just can't believe I allowed even a second of that to happen when I was so vocal about my ears beforehand.

Guess I am beating myself up but I really am in a horrid painful setback so i am scared. My left ear reacts to simple conversation with burning neuralgia pain. Simple noises like my charger dropping on floor. Just everything without protection.

During the scaler my left ear and cheek turned really hot so that ear is the most affected.

I take clonzepam but it doesn't work on depression or sadness. It helps anxiety though and so does my cannabis of which I haven't smoked since. Guess I am a little worried of a spike..

Today I have earrands. Today I will smoke cbd and see.

Anyways I understand where you are coming from Ed and I appreciate you being helpful and supportive. I really do. I don't know if you have chronic hyperacusis though, and so not sure you truly understand?

Also how odd some can handle this scaler and others it causes tinnitus or spikes or destroys ears etc.

NAC has helped a little but I think only while on it. It lowers the tone.

 

[Ed209]

That's the unique nature of tinnitus and hyperacusis, Alex. It's a personal journey for everyone.

I really am trying. I just can't believe I allowed even a second of that to happen when I was so vocal about my ears beforehand.

That's human nature, and I believe most people would have had the same delayed reaction as you.

Guess I am beating myself up but I really am in a horrid painful setback so i am scared.

That's why I find guilt like this to be one of the worst emotions. I've self-destructed over not forgiving myself more times than I can remember. When there's a hint of blame put on yourself it will slowly eat away at you and this serves no purpose going forward whatsoever. So, first of all, drop all the blame you are putting on yourself as you did nothing wrong.

My left ear reacts to simple conversation with burning neuralgia pain. Simple noises like my charger dropping on floor. Just everything without protection.

I've had reactive tinnitus and bouts of hyperacusis. Nothing severe on the H front though. However, my hyperacusis resolved with time and a steady reintroduction to normal sounds. Quick question: have you been continually protecting your ears throughout the day or do you only protect when you're in a predominantly loud environment?

I really do. I don't know if you have chronic hyperacusis though, and so not sure you truly understand?

I have dealt with a degree of H but I managed to get rid of it. People talking loudly would trigger my ears at one point. I'm sure there's a post on here about it. I suppose this comes back to the question I've already asked. Are you doing anything to help reduce the H or are you wearing earplugs all the time?

Also how odd some can handle this scaler and others it causes tinnitus or spikes or destroys ears etc.

I think it comes down to how sensitive one's ears are and/or what degree of H they have. There is also an element of phonophobia that can't be ruled out in some people.

Anyway, with all that's been said, I honestly believe you will be fine but you must try and move past it. Otherwise, your body is going to stay in a state of agitation which is not ideal when dealing with these conditions.

Take care of yourself and I really hope this abates for you.

 

[Alex99]

That's the unique nature of tinnitus and hyperacusis, Alex. It's a personal journey for everyone.

Very true!



That's human nature, and I believe most people would have had the same delayed reaction as you.

Thank you. You are right.



That's why I find guilt like this to be one of the worst emotions. I've self-destructed over not forgiving myself more times than I can remember. When there's a hint of blame put on yourself it will slowly eat away at you and this serves no purpose going forward whatsoever. So, first of all, drop all the blame you are putting on yourself as you did nothing wrong.

Thank you for saying so. I will do my best to stop blaming myself. I just used to be more of an advocate for myself (I have multiple ailments /invisible disorders) but have lost alot of steam. Tired I guess.



I've had reactive tinnitus and bouts of hyperacusis. Nothing severe on the H front though. However, my hyperacusis resolved with time and a steady reintroduction to normal sounds. Quick question: have you been continually protecting your ears throughout the day or do you only protect when you're in a predominantly loud environment?

I've had chronic H for 8 years. It has greatly improved with time but I still suffer bad setbacks. I don't have phonophobia, if anything I don't protect enough...hence this appointment. I know all about H, but mine is directly linked to cranial nerves and now exacberated by fibromyalgia and migraines.

I don't use plugs anywhere but very loud places. (Until now and only using headphones, not muffs, headphones to cut the edge off sharp sounds)



I have dealt with a degree of H but I managed to get rid of it. People talking loudly would trigger my ears at one point. I'm sure there's a post on here about it. I suppose this comes back to the question I've already asked. Are you doing anything to help reduce the H or are you wearing earplugs all the time?

I am doing my best to rest my ears and what has always help me improve in the past. Chronic H and fleeting H are not the same, obviously. Yours went away, mine is everyday. I don't overprotect, never have. I believe sounds help my brain readjust. Hence keeping a fan on 24/7.


I think it comes down to how sensitive one's ears are and/or what degree of H they have. There is also an element of phonophobia that can't be ruled out in some people.

Anyway, with all that's been said, I honestly believe you will be fine but you must try and move past it. Otherwise, your body is going to stay in a state of agitation which is not ideal when dealing with these conditions.

Take care of yourself and I really hope this abates for you.

Thank you for your thorough response! Appreciate it.

Take Care!

(Mods not sure this will respond in way I hope, please fix if son tks!

 

[dpdx]

What caused your Tinnitus?

 

[Alex99]

Well it's been a week and sadly no improvements. I thought by day 5
I was a bit better but sadly it just fluctuates or was the nac masking it.

I took 1500 mg NAC within 24 hrs. 1000 for 2 days after and now just 500 mg a day. Also 800mg of magnesium glycinate per day. All to no avail

This morning I awoke to my T screeching. It sounds like the cleaner. As it is such a piercing sound So loud, it woke me up. Nothing masks it.

I've done my best to stay calm, to help healing. However, since it was a tramuatic experience, (for me!!) I cannot control my cns completely.
I've had insomnia every night since it happened. I fall asleep for 3 hrs and I'm jolted awake.

It could be my ptsd has been triggered..(diagnosed 2 years ago)

Clonazepam doesn't't really help anymore- thanks to tolerance I suppose. I guess it just takes edge off..maybe?

I was extra active in the last week to rid myself of tension and help to calm my mind. I also went about my usual routines using headphone and cotton for protection. By last night though, I was back to whispering and raging t.

So that's that. I am calling that poor excuse of a dental place today and cancelling all remaining appointments.

....I really needed this part of my health to stay as it were. Having a siren in my head or severe H ...I don't know how I will cope.

You can't fight when you have no more fight in you.

Thanks everyone & Take Care

 

[lauracolle]

Hi @Alex99, how are you doing now? I've had a similar experience and my H is worse than ever now