MRI

[Louie04]

ENT. Has suggested and booked for me an MRI scan

What sort of things will they be looking for in relation to my T

[rabbits65]

As far as I know they do these scans to check there is nothing too bad going on . If it’s straightforward t they will say so. They should point you in the right direction.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

An MRI is usually recommended when somebody's tinnitus is predominantly noticed on one side of the head - it's identified as the best way to check for the presence of an Acoustic Neuroma, which is a rare and benign growth which can affect the balance nerve.

Our friends at the British Acoustic Neuroma Association can reassure you about the rarity of the condition via their excellent website - bana-uk.com/resources/about...

One take-away from that is that the incidence of the condition is 2 diagnoses per 100,000 people in the UK each year, or 1,200 cases based on a historical population of 60 million people.

It's a standard investigation - as you can guess from those figures, untoward causes for tinnitus are infrequently found but it is best practice to carry out the scan and ensure that this is the case.

[Mags1417 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thank you - that was helpful. I am recently experiencing tinnitus one side only and have a mild high frequency loss. I have been referred to audiology and ENT so that is reassuring that I have the extra knowledge when I attend the appointments to ask any questions.

[Hidden]

A quick warning: an MRI scan can leave you feeling devastated and the tinnitus can worsen (louder, and a hiss may become an actual saw wave, i.e. it can feel more intense) after an MRI scan - at least in my experience. I was senile for about 4 days after my MRI scan even though l'm middle aged. For about a month later l believe l had skull weakness too, i.e. touching my head would cause a funny painful feeling. An MRI scan is no walk in the park - in my experience at least. Your mileage may vary but my advice is only do it if you really want it. Thankfully the effects weren't permanent.

[doglover1973 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks AC. I'm heading to ENT for unilateral hearing loss but I'd rather not have the MRi scan. I have a health condition that would make it difficult for me. Can I decline the scan and still go onto Audiology to have help with T? Or would I be shown the door?

[Hidden in reply to doglover1973]

Hi there l've no idea. in my case, it was clearly given as an option (unilateral hearing loss / tinnitus here too - though l'm partially deaf so there's only one side that can have hearing loss anyway).

At least in my case the negative effects subsided after 4 days

I'm really unsure how the NHS can help with tinnitus. Their page on it here: nhs.uk/conditions/tinnitus/

... gives little advice other than CBT and social support. There isn't anything an actual hospital can do for you, other than the scan - the scan will check for a neuroma, from what l've read on these forums.

You can always change your mind and have the scan if they turn mean on you. But l doubt they will turn mean.

I wish you well my friend. I don't know if you believe in God but according to my faith he promised us that he wouldn't burden us with anything we cannot handle. Whatever your beliefs, at least we can agree that this is what being an adult is about. And I now understand why adults keep quiet about it. Take care, peace!

[doglover1973 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again AC. I'm hoping for hearing aids with a tinnitus masker. Whether I will be offered them I don't know. I currently only have standard hearing aids. I do believe in God although I have to say tinnitus has stretched my faith to the limit. Thank you for the reminder that he won't overwhelm us. That's a very timely word! 🙂