Would Seeing an Audiologist Specialist Be Worth It?

[Sharbear]

Hello,
I have had tinnitus for 8 months now. I have gone to support meetings in my area, and I've done some research on my own. I have tried sound therapy by using apps on my iPad, I take certain supplements that seem to help, but the tinnitus severity increases every couple of days, and then subsides.

I was wondering if anyone has had great results by going to an audiologist specializing in tinnitus.

What has helped you the most? Is it worthwhile, as I understand it is very costly?

Thanks for your input,
Shari

 

[GregCA]

Do you have hearing loss?

 

[Sharbear]

Yes, but it's very slight. The deficit is in the very high frequencies.

 

[GregCA]

Yes, but it's very slight. The deficit is in the very high frequencies.

Do you mind posting your audiogram? (mask out any personal info)

 

[Sharbear]

Here it is. Hope you can read the scan!

 

[GregCA]

Yes, but it's very slight. The deficit is in the very high frequencies.

OK I saw the audiogram you posted and I'm not sure I'd qualify that as "very slight": it shows a ski slope from 1-2 kHz onward, and I wouldn't be suprised if it kept going down if you were to test higher than 8 kHz (you could ask your audiologist if s/he can arrange a high frequency test for you).

I'm familiar with this loss since that's also what my losses look like (albeit more pronounced/steeper in my case).

You may benefit from hearing aids, so that may be something your audiologist could help you with, perhaps by letting you try some.

I strongly suspect that your T is due to your hearing loss.

 

[Paulmanlike]

If it costs money, I would wait until neuromodulation arrives if your goal is actually to reduce tinnitus. This is a promising treatment coming up although as a tinnitus verteran now I have mixed feelings about it. I would wait and save towards that because I anticipate it won't be cheap.

On the other hand, if your goal is to achieve habituation, this usually happens in TIME with or without intervention. Never did TRT but haven't heard many positive success with it, although I have undergone CBT for OCD - and the general Theory applies to everything of it - depression/anxiety/PTSD/OCD - changing your behaviours to affect your mood and breaking vicious cycles. However, many people learn to live with tinnitus and it's only a sub-group of patients who are debilitated by it. Spikes have caused me depression, but I bounce back in TIME. My tinnitus may have worsened, but my attitude towards it CHANGED that inevitably broke the cycle of tinnitus-anxiety-depression-tinnitus and so on.

P.S. I was close to suicide at one point, looking back, I'm really glad I never because 1.) I learnt I still had a fulfilling life to live and 2.) I've always had hope 'with the high prevalence of tinnitus/aging population/prevalence of noise pollution and recreational noise is only going to DRIVE the DEVELOPMENT of research and NEW and (hopefully) effective treatments.

 

[Don Tinny]

Unfortunately it is a very poorly understood condition. I go to a sound therapy center once a week, sometimes I feel it is good for my condition and sometimes I feel that I throw my money away.

Today I was having a really pretty good day, until I took a nap. Now, because of the nap, I'm suffering from a "spike" that will probably go down tomorrow.

We will see what happens with neuromodulation and cell regeneration. Our hopes are there.

Edit: mine is noise (rock) induced

 

[Paulmanlike]

Unfortunately it is a very poorly understood condition. I go to a sound therapy center once a week, sometimes I feel it is good for my condition and sometimes I feel that I throw my money away.

Today I was having a really pretty good day, until I took a nap. Now, because of the nap, I'm suffering from a "spike" that will probably go down tomorrow.

We will see what happens with neuromodulation and cell regeneration. Our hopes are there.

Edit: mine is noise (rock) induced

Just out of interest did you tinnitus accumulate (I mean was it a one off exposure) or did you go to many rock concerts before you thought oh I've got a problem here?

 

[Don Tinny]

Just out of interest did you tinnitus accumulate (I mean was it a one off exposure) or did you go to many rock concerts before you thought oh I've got a problem here?

Honestly I was very stupid. I had many opportunities and ringing warnings.
I have it very mild since childhood. In 2012 it increased and I had it moderate but invasive for 2 years until it suddenly improved and was almost inaudible. It was a blessing. But last year I went to a concert (with ear peace ear plugs) that ruined it, unfortunately.

In my life I went to more than 40 rock / metal concerts (including black and death metal bands). I am a person to take care of myself a lot, I suppose I did it because I was ignorant. I did not know how serious this condition could be.

 

[MajaC]

By seeing your audiogram, I'll say like GregCA.

 

[Sharbear]

OK I saw the audiogram you posted and I'm not sure I'd qualify that as "very slight": it shows a ski slope from 1-2 kHz onward, and I wouldn't be suprised if it kept going down if you were to test higher than 8 kHz (you could ask your audiologist if s/he can arrange a high frequency test for you).

Hi Greg, Thanks for your input. I'm so new to this that I have to get a grasp on the terminology. I did try hearing aids on a 1 week free trial. I didn't seem to need the amplification, that is, for now. I liked the "white noise" feature, but I wouldn't spend the money on hearing aids until I really need it. I like the idea of checking on the high frequency test.

 

[Sharbear]

In my life I went to more than 40 rock / metal concerts (including black and death metal bands). I am a person to take care of myself a lot, I suppose I did it because I was ignorant. I did not know how serious this condition could be.

Hi Don,
I have enjoyed many concerts, also. Too many to mention, but not head banging... just classic rock, mostly. However, I used to love going dancing and would go straight to the front near the band (and the speakers) DUMB