Finally Referred To Audiology

[MichaelJH]

I have not posted in a while. Some of you may remember my hearing dropped off significantly and I developed tinnitus after a nasty bout of Covid Delta in late 2021. Despite endless drops, syringing and micro-suction the problem has remained. The tinnitus was worse was I was on courses of exotic anti-biotics. I could not get a referral to Audiology despite my endocrinologist writing to my GP requesting that I be referred. Anyway about ten weeks ago after another micro-suction I did an eConsult and a doctor I had never previously encounter referred me. Last week I got an appointment for this week but they said if there was any trace of wax it would be an immediate discharge (seems incredibly harsh) so I had another £130 micro-suction on Monday.

Today I had the audiology test. My hearing somewhat down particularly at higher frequencies which is why I struggle more with women's voices than men's. The left is a lot worse than the right to the point they are referring me to ENT who may want an MRI. It basically confirms everything I have said for over two years but which GPs chose to ignore...

[RP1944]

so pleased you are being taken seriously at last.

[MichaelJH in reply to RP1944]

Thank you. I now have an ENT appointment - see below.

[Iwilldothisthisyear]

I have suffered with constant tinnitus since I had a bad ear infection in January.I didn’t have any wax but was having really poor hearing in my left ear . My GP referred me to ENT but I have been told I will probably have at least a year to wait. The RNID text I did online said I did have hearing issues but was advised to wait for my ENT appointment before going for a private audiology appointment.

I have narrow ear canals & get dry skin/dermatitis in the ear canal when my ears get hot & then I scratch them. Wearing a phone headset for work makes it worse. I have a single ear one now.

As it has been very hot & humid 33C & 21C at night I have had a flare up & now my left ear is swollen & my hearing is very reduced again. Hopefully it will settle down again soon as I don’t want to bother the GP again. My T is really screaming right now.

Good luck & I hope you don’t have to wait too long.

[MichaelJH in reply to Iwilldothisthisyear]

Thank you. I now have an ENT appointment see below.

Have you had an ear swab. With the UK's muddled GP service my friend saw a paramedic practitioner who swabbed his ear and he is now on steroid drops for an infection. It's on one side only.

[Iwilldothisthisyear in reply to MichaelJH]

My GP gave me ear drops to clear the infection earlier this year but unfortunately the tinnitus never went away. I have a spay called ear calm that helps when it gets itchy & that seems to help . I have accepted that the tinnitus is here to stay now.

[Martin2627]

Hi Michael, my hearing also has the same issues, I also have issues in a large crowd trying to converse with someone directly in front of me, I hear the voice but cannot understand what they are saying, the hearing aids have vastly improved that. During recent times the tinnitus has now become more prominent as I was told it would. I am aware how my hearing was damaged, I was a bt engineer using an oscillator earpiece. This is the reason for the reply, did you ever work in the telecoms industry, there are a lot out there with the same situation.

[MichaelJH in reply to Martin2627]

I worked in telecoms but for third party suppliers and consultancy services. Damage would be more likely from being a short oval race mechanic and attending gigs! Sending PM.

[MichaelJH]

I got an ENT appointment through for mid-November. The frustrating thing it is first thing in the morning. The problem is being an insulin dependent diabetic and an amputee it puts my whole regime out of sync. As I discussed this and was told I would get one around 10:30 or 11:00 I am bemused. 🤔

[Kellythecat-74]

Sadly Tinnitus is not on our GPs urgent list. My very first private consultant, I explained the constant high pitch shrill. He nodded and said he understood because he could hear a tiny noise in his ear occasionally . Think I was speechless, should have asked for my money back !!