Never been offered anything more than plug&play, see you next time :(

[tedsmat]

Hi,

I frequently envy people that have somehow managed to get a diagnosis let alone anything more than hearing aids from audiologists;

1985, 34 years old: I woke up on the floor of a Tesco car park, I had not been hit by a car but my, then, husband, had no idea what he did but my head was all shapes and a lot bigger. that day the Tinnitus started, along with the struggles of deafness which were eased a little at 45, with hearing aids, now in my mid 60s, I am R/profound and L/severe and have no hearing without the aids.

No audiologist has ever offered me anything but hearing aids, there has never been any investigation into the reason/damage, nor has there ever been any diagnosis, prognosis or offered anything other than plug and play, go home.

Every time I read somebody's experience, it is rare that they do not have a diagnosis at least, often know their deafness level losses and can relate them in full technical language, sometimes lucky enough to have surgery as a choice.

Can somebody explain the difference between audiologist/patients?, it wont be age as I was in my mid 30s, I was working and raising a child, so could not have been deemed socially useless.

[Ninatz]

Hi,

First I am so sorry about your experiences.

You say the audiologist has only offered you hearing aids... It is my understanding that is what audiologists do. They are not ENT's and they do not diagnose WHY or HOW you got that hearing loss. Neither are they surgeons and cannot suggest operations that can possibly alleviate a hearing loss or tinnitus. But they can help with hearing tests, and all sorts of aids that can make life better and at least bearable as opposed to having no aids.

ENT's can give you the WHY's and HOW's and mostly also surgeons if an operation will be beneficial. They are the ones that can give you a diagnosis and a prognosis.

If you haven't seen an ENT I suggest you go see one straight away. And nothing wrong with seeing a second one just to make sure they all agree For me it is also important it is someone I feel I can get along with as I am likely to have a lifelong relationship with this doctor. My hearing is never going to be perfect and I will need to feel I am able to go back and discuss issues as they occur.

Same with my audiologist - it's likely to be a lifelong relationship - so might as well find someone you like!

I hope you find an ENT that is right for you and that can maybe give you some of the answers you are looking for!

[Stokesie in reply to Ninatz]

An audiologist should and could’ve referred the patient for a sudden unexplained hearing loss. Then the ENT consultant takes over.

However, I would’ve rung the hospital or GP myself if that referral wasn’t offered.

[Stokesie]

An audiologist or your GP should’ve referred you to an ENT consultant for it to have been investigated!

Sudden, unexplained hearing loss is a referrable condition. Failing that you could’ve self referred to start the process of it being investigated.

Without knowing the exact type of hearing loss (sensorineural, conductive or mixed) it is difficult to know why. I would’ve referred myself if I was getting nowhere with a GP.

[tjaybanx]

Hi

ENT would of examined your hearing to offer hearing aids, from there you would or should of been referred to the consultant if they felt there was some other way to solve your hearing problem, if not you can ask to be referred to a specialist hearing consultant. It sounds like you have not had to opportunity to explore your deafness further to see if there is an option to put it surgically right, however this may not be an option if permanent damage has been caused but without investigating this through a consultant you won't know.

Be pro active and ask for a referral to ENT consultant/surgeon, they may be able to offer alternative solution, you should have already been given this option in order to try and save your hearing.

Not all diagnosis can be reversed so it depends on that really and whether they feel they could improve your hearing for you with surgical procedure. With Otosclerosis surgery is an option and does come with risk which could potentially leave you worse than before so this is why some op for the hearing aids first, personally for me I have put this option on hold because a previous surgery for another condition left me with a TIA(mini stroke) so there is a risk it could happen again.

I would suggest you go to your GP and ask them for a referral to see ENT consultant in a hope to get some answers.

Good luck and keep us updated, always here for support, sometimes we get more tips/advise from this support site to take the next step forward.

Tjay

[Htims46]

Thanks to all of you that have replied and the advice, will be asking my G.P. to refer me to a ENT consultant, will keep you all updated as to what happens