Tinnitus after stroke

[Sweens1]

Hi all. My name is Geoff joined group today.

21 months ago I suffered a stroke. One of symptoms is the constant ringing in my ears.

Completely lost hearing in my left ear and after hearing tests last August it had returned to 40%.

Audiologist suggested hearing aids which she said would reduce my tinnitus and help my balance.

Well they haven't. Finally had appointment with consultant ENT yesterday. He contradicted audiologist and said tinnitus would fade in time. Told him that when I move my head from side to side or up and down, rest my hand on top of my head tinnitus increases. He said he'd never come across that before! My question is does this happen to anyone else?

Take care

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi Sweens1

I would agree with your audiologist in terms of hearing aids being helpful for tinnitus. The hearing loss which you experienced is likely to be chronic, so anything which augments the hearing which you have can help with tinnitus. I wouldn't go as far as to say that hearing aids are going to take away tinnitus, but they can certainly help - youtu.be/FVZqm58-M7Y?si=y1V...(Not working as expected?)

In terms of balance, the option exists to be referred to an audio-vestibular specialist if you continue to have problems in that regard. The British Association of Audio-Vestibular Physicians might be a good place to look for specialists in the UK and their contact details - baap.org.uk/

From what you describe, your ENT consultant is seeing tinnitus as a symptom which people habituate to, which often does happen - that isn't quite the same thing as tinnitus going away but it can become something which doesn't cause us frustration or difficulty as we get used to living with it - youtu.be/-q_DE5-r6-4?si=d6_...(Not working as expected?)

Your consultant may not familiar with tinnitus which has somatosensory characteristics, which is tinnitus which alters through neck movement or jaw contraction. Physiotherapists can help with this but if your ENT would like to learn a bit more, perhaps this link may be educational - tinnitus.org.uk/for-profess...

With best wishes

Pat

Senior Tinnitus Support Officer

Tinnitus UK

[Sweens1 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Thank you. Very helpful.Take care.

[Jimbob7 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Great post Pat. Thank you. We all need reminding about what habituation looks like.

[Sweens1 in reply to TinnitusUKPat]

Hi again, very interesting reading on here. I think myself lucky with the severity of my stroke .I do most things but as I said my balance restricts me like I'd never go up a ladder! Lol.

I also feel my Tinnitus isn't as bad as some have reported on here. I'd say 7/10. I've come to realise that it could be a lot worse. After experiencing a stroke I associate the changes in Tinnitus pitch with it. Used to frighten the life out of me especially when I was dropping off to sleep. I also get a sound like someone cocking a gun occasionally.

Glad I joined this foum.

Take care.

[rabbits65]

welcome to this site , I think you will find it very helpful and people are very kind and friendly and understanding.

[Pipster25]

I have those symptoms and so do many others who have posted on here previously. It shows you the standard you can expect from ENT when they have “never heard” of your problem. Good luck.

[Sweens1 in reply to Pipster25]

So others have an increase when moving head left and right etc?

[Pipster25]

Yes , my symptoms include tinnitus spike through side to side head movements, jaw movement and touching top of head. Others have also posted with this type of symptom, so you are not alone with your problem.

[Sweens1 in reply to Pipster25]

OK. Thanks for that. Strange my consultant said he'd never come across it. Glad I'm not alone. Feel relieved.

[Pipster25 in reply to Sweens1]

I find it very strange as well Geoff. Its bit like going into the butchers to order a pound of sausages and being told they’d never heard of them. LOL

[Bumpity]

Hello Geoff

That's strange, I've had Tinnitus for many years and only just realised having read your post that mine started following two TIA's many years ago. I was recently offered hearing aids but as have coped this long and undecided whether to try or not. My Tinnitus has not faded at all and I too find that if I move my head it gets better/worse i.e At night if I lie on my back it lessens whereas if I lie on my side it can be an absolute nightmare. If I lean forward when sitting it seems to get louder, am just testing now. Take care.