Hello! Another Tinnitus Sufferer Here

Back in Oct 2016, I had muffled hearing on both ears for about a month which I just shrugged off and did not pay much attention to it. One morning early Nov 2016 when I woke up, stood up, then I passed out briefly. Next thing I know, I was already on the floor.

Fast forward...after going to the ER and talking with my primary care doctor, they ordered different types of tests and consults to specialists. The last consult was to the audiologist at the VA Hospital around February 2017. They did a hearing test which confirmed hearing loss on both ears, and a VNG test which they confirmed aural nerve damage on both ears.

Since the fainting episode back in Nov 2016, I had suffered vertigo attacks once or twice a month (Tinnitus was not bad or distinct yet). Because of these attacks and the results of the audiology consult, I was referred to an ENT doctor. They sent me for a rehab for vertigo, which helped in my balance, but I was still having attacks once or twice a month. Around August 2017, the vertigo attacks became more frequent. This is when the Tinnitus started to be distinct (high pitched ringing and sometimes it sounded like a rumbling engine noise). Last Dec, I went back to see the ENT doctor due to frequent vertigo with nausea/vomiting. He said that all the symptoms that I was having, he diagnosed it as Menieres Disease. I was prescribed diuretics to remove the fluids and meclizine and valium for the vertigo. I'm still having frequent vertigo attacks multiple times a week. Some are mild (a little spinning sensation/off-balance) to severe (whole world is spinning with nausea and vomiting).

I now mostly stay at home. Lost my job due to liability issues (have been picked up by family members from work multiple times because I cannot drive). I have to have somebody with me whenever I drive anywhere since I cannot predict when I'm going to have an attack. It's very depressing!

A little background about myself. I'm 52 y/o. I have been around military jets for 28 years (until the end of 2014). Not sure if my ear nerve damage is due to noise exposure through all those years and is just now catching up on me.

 

Have you had an MRI (or a CT scan) done?

My dad died of brain cancer. His only symptom was vertigo. Passing out is also a symptom of brain cancer...

 

Yes. I had both MRI and CT Scan done with negative results.