Tinnitus & hearing loss with congenital hypothyroidism

[Katejo1963]

I would like to hear from anyone who has experienced sudden hearing loss years after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism despite regular blood tests to check the thyroid.

I was born with it (congenital) so have been on thyroxine since I was 3 months old. I have just had a sudden hearing loss at 59 , which may be connected to the thyroid (waiting for an ENT appointment).

I am really hoping that this hearing loss (with tinnitus and a blocked ear feeling) can be corrected but I am worried that the time delay in trying to see a specialist could cause permanent damage.

[Happyrosie]

Sorry, Katejo, that getting tinnitus has added to your troubles. Your specific condition and question is so unusual that you may not get a response from anyone on this site. Maybe head over to any other part of Health Unlocked if you do not get a response? I believe there’s a thyroid section.

In the meantime, I do recommend you have a browse through the website of the British Tinnitus Association where you’ll find lots of helpful tips on tinnitus.

[Katejo1963 in reply to Happyrosie]

I have posted it there as well.

[Sweep123 in reply to Katejo1963]

Hello KatejoI experienced sudden hearing loss after trauma from a fall, I did not know until much later that if I had received a high course of steroids for a short period it may well have reversed the hearing loss.

I went on to have another bout of sudden hearing loss which primarily was thought to be linked to Menieres but after receiving steroids my hearing reverted to the previous level and the diagnosis was changed.

I would encourage anyone who has sudden hearing loss to get immediate treatment, unfortunately many GP’s are not aware so visit A&E and insist on steroid treatment which can be for up to a 2 weeks course, urgency is essential as apparently there is a short window of time for the steroid treatment to be effective.y

I should also add that I had a feeling of fullness in my ear at the time too which I still get from time to time and still get tinnitus which for the most part is bearable.

I can’t comment on a thyroid link because I have no knowledge.

Best wishes

[Katejo1963 in reply to Sweep123]

Your advice prompted me to arrange a private ENT appt as I was getting nowhere with NHS follow ups. Unfortunately it is probably too late to rescue my hearing. I told the consultant what you had said about urgency in getting the steroid and he replied to say that that you were probably right. He has given me a steroid prescription to try for 7 days as there was nothing to lose by doing so but he doesn't think it will help. He agreed with my suspicion that the hospital ENT doctor should have known to give me the steroid. They only gave me a further antibiotic which included a steroid and didn't seem concerned about the hearing loss. I still don't know the cause of my sudden loss. I had have comprehensive thyroid tests done today but he doesn't expect the results to show a problem.

[Katejo1963]

How short is short? I have already been to A & E twice. On the first occasion I was given a steroid antibiotic for 2 weeks which did nothing to help. On the 2nd occasion I was sent home without further treatment because they were too busy. I have repeatedly been promised follow up appointments in ENT but still don't have one. I have been investigating a private appt. but the first hospital which I contacted hasn't bothered to reply.

[Sweep123 in reply to Katejo1963]

I found a private ENT consultant through the local Nuffield Hospital and their list of visiting consultants. I checked their list of expertise and decided which was more appropriate to my condition. It is not cheap but at least at the end I had a better understanding and partial success with hearing but obviously this is not guaranteed. I did have a private MRI scan and blood tests.Good luck to you.

[Katejo1963 in reply to Sweep123]

Hi Sweep123 I have now got an appointment with an ENT consultant for next Tuesday. I arranged through this site entlondon.org.uk/ after getting no response from another one .

[AldoArgentina]

I'm so sorry katejo! I have my sister living in Edinburgh and she suffer your national health system so much!! She has a kidney disease, a chronic condition. Sometimes she has to wait more than a week with a severe kidney infection until she get to see a specialist. It's crazy! Politics don't care about people, only care about budget (It's crazy! National budget is just people money!)

[Katejo1963]

Sorry to hear about your sister. Yes it is really frustrating at the moment!