Visit to Audiology Dept. coming up, any advice would be welcome

[oldskir]

I have an appointment booked at the NHS Hospital Audiology Department for a hearing assessment later this month, Any advice at to what to expect, and what I should ask about, would be very welcome.

I have coped with tinnitus, mainly in my left ear, for 53 years. I'm now 70. I had a bad setback last July when a very loud micro suction wax removal procedure made the tinnitus and my hearing worse. This seems to have pushed a troublesome but bearable situation in to a significantly more difficult problem for me. Doctor told me last month wax had built up again in both ears, so the practice nurse cleared it with water irrigation. They seemed to have a new water irrigator which was louder than the machine they used to use, and this seems to have caused further slight damage.

So, I now have at least moderate level tinnitus in my left ear, slight T in the right ear, I sometimes find it hard to hear what people are saying in conversation, also some voices on tv and radio. In particular, the tone of my hearing seems to have changed. Voices sound rasping and have a kind of harsh metallic edge, and quite a lot of music and certain everyday sounds sound distorted. I also have a slight intolerance of/ sensitivity to louder sounds, particularly in my left ear. Not sure if this is due to so called recruitment, or is even mild hyperacusis.

I've read up about what a hearing test might involve, but I wondered if anyone has had an NHS one recently.

I'm expecting a pure tone audiometry test. But am I likely to get a tympanometry test, or will I have to ask?

Similarly, will they do any kind of test to check my sensitivity to louder sounds? I'm particularly worried that if I am given hearing aids, my left ear in particular may not be able to tolerate sound feeding right in to my ear canal via a dome or mold. I have read that if I am suffering from recruitment, the aid would need very careful programming to stop sound getting too loud and painful. In any case, will the aids have a volume control? Any chance of a remote control for that, or would I have to go private?

If eligible for aids, do they fit them on the same day, or do you have to go back?

Finally, is the NHS likely to offer any kind of tinnitus masking....either a little sound machine to play soothing water sounds, or a programme on the hearing aid itself?

Sorry to raise so many issues, all of this problem is getting me down and making me very anxious. Any information or similar experiences from forum members would be great to hear. Thank you.

[doglover1973]

Hi oldskir I had an NHS hearing test last November - prior to ENT . It was very thorough and a little uncomfortable when they played the loud sounds into my ears but it didn't affect my T in any way . I'm going to audiology after Easter . My local hospital do it over three appts. One. Hearing test. Two. Hearing aid fitting. Three. Follow up. All the best . You'll be fine.

[rabbits65]

The main thing is try not to get anxious about all this it won’t do you any good. I think the NHS departments all have their routines to follow and might vary slightly. Everything you’ve stipulated here in your post raise with them on the day don’t let them rush you . Write everything down like you have here . Sorry you seem to have had a bad time with your ears , this has made you feel more muddled I think. Just calm down and things will sort themselves out .

[reorosie]

Hello oldskir, I hope you are doing well, I am quite new to this site but trying to come to terms with everything,you are the first one to describe the very same sounds I am trying to deal with. I have had tinnitus for 30 years but wasn’t too intrusive as sometimes it came and then quietened down for a while,so I was able to cope,but three months ago I was subjected to an unexpected loud noise, and since then my tinnitus has got much worse and I am intolerable to loud sounds. The way you describe the sounds you hear like the rasping voices, with like a metallic edge, and distorted and sensitive sounds is exactly the same as I have. I had a normal hearing test about 4 weeks ago but can’t get results until doctor rings on the 25th. I haven’t heard of a tympanometry test and would be pleased if you could let me know if you manage to get one, as I feel the problem is the tympanic muscle . I do hope you manage to get some answers . Take care.