Hearing loss and tinnitus

[LJM15]

Hello,

This is my first post here. Hope you’re all doing well.

I’ve had repeated ear infections and persistent fluid behind the ear. I’ve got a scan coming but since losing hearing a little in that ear I’ve started to get more regular tinnitus.

Any tips? All welcome! Thanks.

[Happyrosie]

I’m not a medic - but it’s very possible that once you’ve had the fluid and so on sorted, the tinnitus will fade away. Not necessarily but possibly.

Lots of information about tinnitus on the British Tinnitus Association website.

[LJM15 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks. I’ll have a look. I think the fluid is mostly gone now and it’s since it’s got less that I’m getting this. Doesn’t look like I’ll see anyone to drain it till next year.

[rabbits65]

welcome to this site LJM15 I do hope you find everyone on here helpful . I hope you get better soon

[LJM15 in reply to rabbits65]

Thank you.

[Karlos99]

same here. I’ve got fluid in my inner ear and on my eardrum. Also a retracted eardrum. Had ear problems since I broke my nose many years ago. I struggle to regulate my ear pressure. I think this is what caused my tinnitus. Good luck.

[LJM15 in reply to Karlos99]

I struggle to regulate. Feel like my ear hasn’t popped for months. I was referred to ENT a month ago but the consultant didn’t put the constant infections in the letter and I’m not going to get an appointment till next summer. The fluid does seemed to have eased but if it gets bad again I won’t be able to wait till next summer. It’s so painful.

What do they do about a redacted eardrum?

[Karlos99 in reply to LJM15]

I’m not too sure what they will do. Maybe grommets to help alleviate the pressure. will report back when I find out.

[ETHEL103]

Hi Mt tinnitus has upped the anti lately and I saw an ENT clinician on Tuesday. I had and ear infection 2 weeks ago and since my hearing in my right ear has dropped slightly.Ent bod explained my brain is trying to compensate by creating its own sounds.Hence raised tinnitus.Then he gave me the kindly smile and said I could try masking and recommend the Starkey free app .At the moment nothing to be done .He was very nice but .........

[LJM15 in reply to ETHEL103]

that’s interesting. What do you think about that response? What’s masking?

[ETHEL103 in reply to LJM15]

I knew it probably would go like this but he did do a better hearing test than the specsaver one I had last week.He said loss in right ear was minimal but enough to cause the spike I'm getting.To be honest I think unless they suspect a tumour there's very little they can do.Masking is playing a sound in your ear to cover the T sound.Sounds great in theory but in practice I'm not so sure.Im determined That it will not stop me doing anything.Its very intrusive tho.

[LJM15 in reply to ETHEL103]

can I ask, how long till you saw ENT from onset of symptoms? I’ve been told a year but that - I believe - is because the consultant only wrote about my swollen turbinates (that are permanently swollen and very painful) and nothing else.

I’m glad they did a hearing test for you. I’ve got a scan coming but that’s because I get repeated infections and it looks like a blockage might be causing it.

[ETHEL103 in reply to LJM15]

Hi I had a referral from my gp and it was answered straight away by a clinic in Sevenoaks.Thats the good news.They said sorry but we can't even put you on a waiting list.2 months later I chased it up and they said they would put me on the cancellation list.Great I said.Another month goes by then I get a call saying we have a cancellation can you get here in 2 hours.Yes I answered .The man was great but it was not a hospital setting just a clinic in our local health centre.Have no idea if a hospital one would have been better but I was only in there 15 mins.

[LJM15 in reply to ETHEL103]

Yeah, that’s the way to do it. I’ve not been given an appointment yet, I’ve just been told next year (early summer). I tried a cancellation list but they didn’t do that. Will see what the MRI shows. Things are so messed up right now aren’t they. I’m dealing with a lot of other departments and it just feels really hard right now. Glad you got in though.

[doglover1973 in reply to ETHEL103]

It sounds as if you had a similar service as in a hospital. I saw the ENT doctor for about 15 mins or so for the initial appt and for the follow up (post scan). I think they're incredibly busy wherever they are . You were quick on your toes to get there at 2 hours notice!

[ETHEL103 in reply to doglover1973]

Could have done it in 15 mins.Just a couple of miles from home lol.

[doglover1973]

Hi LJM15 Welcome to the forum 🙂 There's a link between hearing loss and tinnitus. As      ETHEL103 says - even a slight drop in hearing can cause an increase. My T has got gradually louder as I've lost my higher frequencies. My top tip would be .. Take good care of your ears. You only have one set to last a lifetime.

[LJM15 in reply to doglover1973]

Thanks, Doglover, that’s interesting. I never even would have put the two together before I’d started going slightly deaf in one ear. I wear headphones low, so I’m not pounding them with sound and will just see how it goes.

[doglover1973 in reply to LJM15]

Nor me. I thought tinnitus was making me deaf . It was the BTA who told me it was the other way round - hearing loss causing tinnitus. ENT confirmed it. I can believe it's a year long wait. I waited 16 months during the pandemic so they're probably still playing catch up.

[LJM15 in reply to doglover1973]

Yeah, it is a long time. Did you ask who referred me? I thought I saw that. It was actually another consultant who I mentioned these symptoms to. It seems to be pot luck at the moment if you get anywhere with things.

[doglover1973 in reply to LJM15]

Yes. The NHS is a bit if a pickle at the moment.