Newbie here. Male 59 - in good health generally. I've had ringing in my ears for the last 10 years or so - and have learned to live with it. But in the last month, my tinnitus has risen to a new, much louder continual level. It can be quite overwhelming at times.
I'm considering going to a private audiologist for some advice - and to explore the option of having an in-ear device that generates white-noise to cancel out the buzzing. The cost is about £5000.
Does anyone have an experience of these in-ear devices and have effective they are?
If anyone does, I'd be very grateful.
Thanks,
Ian
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IanBuzzed
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Silly question, perhaps, but to be clear, we are not talking about an implant or other kind of permanently attached device - just something that sits in your ear and is removable - something with the same form factor as an in-ear hearing aid? If that is the case (and ignore me entirely if it is not), then I am also guessing that the device would need to be removed overnight?
On the basis that all of the above is correct, then this sounds like an expensive masker, of the kind that many hearing aids have as an optional extra, with the white noise programmed by the audiologist to match the frequency of your T and (according to the doctrine), just a little lower in volume than your T. I have had one of those as part of my NHS (excellent) phonak aids for 8 years, recently replaced with a more up-to-date version which also connects by bluetooth to play any masking sounds I choose from my phone.
If we are indeed talking about much the same kind of masking device (albeit the one you are considering may have more sophistication and options), then they certainly do have value in cases where a person is habituating to T, or simply seeking some relief from time to time. It is a major drawback that they cannot (if indeed yours cannot), be worn whilst sleeping, and their utility over long periods (when they might become as irksome as the original T), might also be an issue.
We are all different, our T affects us differently and responds differently to this kind of therapy. If your audiologist is prepared to allow a trial period (that may be rare, but I might be wrong, I have never had a private consultation), I would certainly go for that before investing so much in a device of this kind.
Finally, most T, particularly as one grows older, is associated with hearing loss - even minor loss. If you have not yet consulted and audiologist it is possible that an examination will show that, like so many of us, your need is for one or two aids incorporating the masker rather than a free-standing device.
Others with more relevant personal experience will probably comment soon.
Yes, you are correct that I was talking about something that sits in the ear and is removable - and not an implant. I agree that the cost is crazy - but after a visit to my GP this week who more-or-less told me to 'get on with it' - I was willing to explore any option as the noise is seriously affecting my day-to-day life.
In light of your response , I will now look at an hearing aid option with a white noise option through an audiologist and not a high-end company who charge top dollar for their products.
As a final thought, we all know that NHS provision is variable, but many (including my own), permit self-referral. Of course there are waiting lists and you may not feel able to delay, but in my experience the audiologists are excellent, understand T and can offer services to help with it. The NHS dispenses (and maintains), without charge aids produced by and identical to those sold by major manufacturers. Some extras (eg specialised TV and phone connectors), may not be supplied, but in most cases people who pay £6K and more do not get anything significantly better than the NHS offers.
[Preliminary note: I have been busy today and wrote what follows in response to this question of yours without reading your earlier post. I don't think it makes any difference to what I have to say though.]
Yes, it is different. I am no expert, but the position seems to be that audiology will only test your hearing and prescribe / supply any necessary aid(s) - including T-maskers. An ENT may decide to refer a patient who has been referred to him/her to audiology if that seems necessary, likewise I am sure that the GP could also make a direct referral to audiology. If, for example, a person has recent onset T, and consults their GP, I think it may be the ENT who prescribes the usual, precautionary, MRI. I don't think that audiology would do that (I may be wrong).
As it happens, in my case I was referred to an ENT by my GP because I was having dizzy spells and there were other reasons to refer me. I already had a recent, relevant MRI for other reasons. The ENT decided that there was nothing wrong with me that he could fix but referred me to audiology where my hearing loss was detected and aids prescribed. That was 8 years ago and when, recently, I felt that my hearing had declined a little I self-referred to the same audiology department, where a new prescription and new aids were supplied.
This is the position with my local NHS trust. I have heard similar stories from others, but they may, of course, be different.
Finally, it seems that these days many Consultants are willing to see patients without a GP referral if one simply books the private appointment and pays. I don't know if ENTs do that - maybe they would, but that would probably involve paying not only for the consultation, + maybe private audiology + private MRI.
Hello Ian. The same has very much happened to me in the last few months, after years of being able to live with T. I'm 4 years older and again in generally good health and do appreciate pericoder's advice. Not much help to you Ian but think can understand what you going through.
yes indeed I have the Phonak . It works &is amazing. It was programmed by my audiologist and has been the number one thing that has helped my screaming tinnitus . Well worth every single cent !Regards
I use hearing aids sometimes pls note. For my severe T. Came via NHS Audiology referral to Hearing Therapy dept. Helpful when it's quiet at home or garden which can normally be horrific agony. But cannot use aids in noisy environments eg cafe with friends. Because it all becomes overwhelming. Noise inside head + outside amplified, overload pure hell unbearable . I have 2 streams of T and my pulse banging with extreme headaches gripping 24 7. Gradually worsened over 12 years. Now destroying my life hard to keep fighting.
Reading other responses I agree. Try the nhs first I have tinnitus with hearing loss but since having my hearing aids my tinnitus has improved to a bearable level.I have recently been issued with new aids which have the Bluetooth facility but haven't tried that yet. Even without Bluetooth they are a big improvement on my previous hearing aids and smaller too.
Hold up bud NHS do the same thing for you. Get a referral from your Doc and go from there . Might have to wait a while but it's worth it rather than spending five grand. You are the same age as me and I suffer really badly with my tinnitus. It spikes at least two or three times a week and it crucifies me. I did have hearing aids but don't find that they help me, it's just another noise with the white noise in them. But you do need to explore your own ways of coping. Good luck.
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