Found I had a tight jaw when visiting for microsuction , which makes tinnitus worse.

[TandemTime]

Thought I would check if I needed microsuction, I researched to find an audiologist with an extra qualification in this skill. When I went he said I did not need it. Amongst other questions he asked was what difference it made to the T if I put my fingers in my ears, I said it reduced the level a bit. He thought my T may be partly related to a tight jaw, which fits .....with when I get stressed. He asked if I grinded my teeth I don't think so but I do know about my jaw being tense. I am going to try jaw exercises and make myself relax it when I notice it. He also thought as I have lost some of the s sounds etc hearing aids might help so I will try some.

[Happyrosie]

Many people find that tinnitus reduces if they use hearing aids - it makes the real world less prominent.And jaw exercises sound like a good idea.

[TandemTime in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you Happyrosie interesting to know as I am experimenting with some for a couple of weeks. ..

[TandemTime]

Thank you for these thoughts.. do you think the teeth grinding could be linked in some way ?

[TandemTime]

Willow song thank you for all these details. I have had a couple of shoulder ops so I am relatively in tune with my spine and I see a good physio when it's playing up.

A new mattress has helped with sleeping although the other was not bad the new one has let me sleep comfortably on my back.. it cost about £1100 which is a huge amount but not sleeping as well as is possible is a disaster for me! My old one was a well known brand for a third of the price but after 6 years I think it was not as good as when new.

I am going to make an effort with those tongue and jaw thoughts as I really think that could make a difference to me. Thank you. 👏

[oldskir]

My advice is avoid micro suction like the plague.I had it for the first time in July, and it had devastaing consequences. It was horribly loud and I could almost feel the damage being caused as the "operative" drilled happily away. Existing T in my left ear made significantly worse, and minimal T in my right ear now more noticeable. Worst of all , I feel I have suffered definite hearing loss. I have an appointment at the Audiology Department on Tuesday for a hearing assessment.

[NightOwl67 in reply to oldskir]

Hello, I've just read your post. I'm in a similar situation after having microsuction on my left ear a few weeks ago. It's left it feeling blocked and with muffled hearing. Can I ask how your hearing assessment went?

[oldskir in reply to NightOwl67]

Hi Nightowl,

Sorry to hear you too have had a bad experience with microsuction.

My hearing assessment brought bad news. I have moderate to severe hearing loss in both my ears. I am now waiting to try some NHS hearing aids.

Now I must give you a full picture of my situation, because I don't want to cause you undue alarm.

I am aged 70, and have had tinnitus since my late teens, caused I think by attending too many loud rock music concerts. The late 1960s was a time that no one really thought about ear protection, and indeed there wasn't much available. I also felt I suffered some degree of hearing loss then. When I was 21 I made the decision to stop going to any more loud music events, to protect my ears.

For nearly 50 years this enabled me to keep the tinnitus at pretty much the same level. Also my hearing was not too bad, though I think from around age 63 I began to notice poorer hearing, and I put this down to old age presbyacusis.

Having said the above, I felt things were reasonable enough and quite copeable, until microsuction entered the picture last July. I had always gone to the GP every year for wax removal using the water irrigation method, but that was not available due to Covid. Choosing to go instead to an audiologist for microsuction is the worst decision I have ever made. Basically, the horrific noise generated by this procedure has caused hearing damage and worse tinnitus. It feels like it pushed me over the edge from a level I was just about dealing with in to a more significant and serious problem, which has made my life now pretty miserable.

Trawling the internet I have found numerous examples of other people who have suffered damage due to microsuction. I have tried to lobby several MPs with a view to getting microsuction brought under greater control. I also asked my own MP to pass my concerns on to the Department of Health. After 5 months we have still had no reply from them. Microsuction is a cruel procedure, how can anyone thing that introducing what sounds like a very loud vacuum cleaner right down in to the ear canal is a good idea?

I hope you have not suffered too much damage. Be glad at least that you only had one ear done, not both.

[Bellyboo in reply to oldskir]

Hi sorry to hear your disappointment. My story mirrors yours to a certain degree . I worked with loud power tools also without ear protection. Thank you for your advice … I will stay clear. Good luck

[NightOwl67 in reply to oldskir]

Hello oldskir,

Thank you for your reply, sorry to have been a long time getting back to you and for updating me with your news.

I had no warning that microsuction could be dangerous, just that it was very safe, I'd always had my ears syringed then irrigated with water in the past with no problems whatsoever. I only had microsuction as I kept reading GP surgeries no longer do the irrigation method.

I have managed to get a ENT appointment at a private hospital for next Wednesday, I felt I needed to be seen as soon as possible, I hope he has some good news for me! Yes, I'm grateful at least that only one ear is affected, although it was my better ear!

I hope we are all able to get some peace in our situation, best wishes to you.