Tinnitus - struggling

[Ob1kenobe]

Hi all newbie here. I have had Tinnitus since I had a Mastoid op in 2014. Post op once healed I lost 60% hearing in that ear and had a hearing aid. That helped mask the tinnitus alot and I got on with life. Since then I had to have another mastoid op 4 months ago which didn't go ideally having had a recent checkup my eardrum is now concave and will have regular visits to have my ear cleaned as it doesn't clear it's own wax. The noise got louder. My surgeon has said on a recent check up that I can't wear my hearing aid as the seal on my ear will cause infection. Without my aid I'm struggling to be honest to concentrate on anything and my tinnitus seems to be giving my own head a headache.

Thoughts opinions and any advice on what I can do next would be much appreciated.

Cheers all

Ob1

[swindonian]

Hi, have a read of my post on this forum healthunlocked.com/bta/post... . This could resolve one half of your problem masking the tinnitus - I still use this equipment daily whilst out and about and also at night with either the headband or pillow speakers. Unfortunately it will not resolve your hearing loss but there are hearing aids which are not moulded to your ear or need to be plugged in. I imagine that these type of aids are not provided by the NHS, perhaps somebody will answer this point. Personally I have a small hearing loss in my right ear whilst the left is much worse, so my daytime answer is to wear my right aid without sound generator turned on and my DIY masker on my left side. When my tinnitus is bad I use both aids plus the tiny mp3 player minus the earpiece in my left sided breast pocket on speaker, my aid picks up the mp3 output. It works for me but everyone is different so I encourage you to think outside the box and you might be surprised.

[Ob1kenobe in reply to swindonian]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to speak to my consultant at my next check up and see if there are any hearing aids I can wear that won't seal my ear completely some form of vented option. I have a nhs one at the moment with a mould that completely seals my ear and that apparently will cause me infections. I don't care about wearing an aid had one for 4 years now and it really helps to get sound in and mask the T as a result. The worst part is I have constant headaches since the second op and I'm sure it's the T causing it. My head giving itself a headache

[NicBTA Partner]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum. Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

Have you asked your consultant or audiologist about open fit hearing aids? These are often recommended for tinnitus anyway and don't seal the ear in the same way.

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[Ob1kenobe in reply to NicBTA]

Hi Nic, no I have not so I will be sure to do so at my next consultation. Hopefully I that is something available on the NHS. Thanks again will let you know how I get on