Knowledgeable and Well Equipped ENT in London Area

[pytajnick]

Hello everyone.

I suspect my tinnitus to be related to ETD or chronic ear infection. NHS route was good enough to rule out several potential causes but didn't actually help me to find the reason of my T and H.

Do you know a professional that is able to diagnose me more thoroughly (at least with an endoscope)?

I begged my GP to give me a referral to Royal ENT Hospital in London but as I've been already "diagnosed" by some random local ENT, she refused to give me another one. That was a month ago.

Since then my T got worsened to the point that I am unable to function normally. 2 days ago I've visited emergency because o sudden spike due to getting water into the middle ear (more about that in another thread) and he said that I have in both ears signs of old, chronic infections. I would like to investigate it some more.

Any idea how should I proceed?
Thank you!

 

[Michael Leigh]

I suspect my tinnitus to be related to ETD or chronic ear infection. NHS route was good enough to rule out several potential causes but didn't actually help me to find the reason of my T and H.

On the whole NHS care is very good although mistakes do happen as in everything. If you feel your tinnitus and hyperacusis is related to ETD, I'm sure if you asked your GP kindly to recommend a private ENT doctor she would be willing to help or do a search on Google. In any event I don't think a private ENT doctor will see you unless your GP refers you although I could be wrong.

I will tell you something that was told to me twenty years ago by my GP in London, when I wanted to go to see a private ENT doctor/clinic as I was in a lot of distress. He said: "You will get the best help and long term aftercare for your tinnitus under the NHS".

I have had very good care under our NHS for my tinnitus for the past twenty years. Please remember the most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise. If you have been listening to music through headphones at loud volume regularly, or attending places where loud music is played often, these are the usual causes. Also working in a noisy environment.

I have written an article on tinnitus that you might find helpful, the link is below.
Best of luck
Michael

PS: I think you should wait as the usual course is once ENT have done their tests, the next stage is to be referred to Audiology for tinnitus management if you're find habituation difficult. You are in the early stages and need to give yourself time, providing there is no underlying medical condition causing the tinnitus.

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

 

[pytajnick]

On the whole NHS care is very good although mistakes do happen as in everything. If you feel your tinnitus and hyperacusis is related to ETD, I'm sure if you asked your GP kindly to recommend a private ENT doctor she would be willing to help or do a search on Google. In any event I don't think a private ENT doctor will see you unless your GP refers you although I could be wrong.

I will tell you something that was told to me twenty years ago by my GP in London, when I wanted to go to see a private ENT doctor/clinic as I was in a lot of distress. He said: "You will get the best help and long term aftercare for your tinnitus under the NHS".

I have had very good care under our NHS for my tinnitus for the past twenty years. Please remember the most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noise. If you have been listening to music through headphones at loud volume regularly, or attending places where loud music is played often, these are the usual causes. Also working in a noisy environment.

I have written an article on tinnitus that you might find helpful, the link is below.
Best of luck
Michael

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/tinnitus-a-personal-view.18668/

Thank you for your response! So you suggest that I should with the NHS route. I would love to but I am wondering how can I convince my GP to give me another referral since as She and ENT gave an impression that my treatment is done. Who to contact and what to say?

 

[maltese]

I convince my GP to give me another referral since as Who to contact and what to say?

Ask for a referral to a hearing therapist maybe? I'm not exactly sure what the "keyword" is, but you want to see a hearing therapist. He/she will be able to provide you with audiogram, counselling, referal to ENT if needed (probably not needed).

When it comes to tinnitus, NHS has everything you need. Don't waste money going private, it's not worth it (I did both).

 

[pytajnick]

Ask for a referral to a hearing therapist maybe? I'm not exactly sure what the "keyword" is, but you want to see a hearing therapist. He/she will be able to provide you with audiogram, counselling, referal to ENT if needed (probably not needed).

When it comes to tinnitus, NHS has everything you need. Don't waste money going private, it's not worth it (I did both).

Thanks. Really appreciate!

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thank you for your response! So you suggest that I should with the NHS route. I would love to but I am wondering how can I convince my GP to give me another referral since as She and ENT gave an impression that my treatment is done. Who to contact and what to say?

As @maltese says: you are wasting money going anywhere else for treatment. No private practice in the UK can compete with the NHS for tinnitus treatment I assure you. Private practice are not into the long haul which tinnitus can be sometimes. To be honest, I think you were sent to ENT too quickly. Perhaps your GP wanted to make sure there was no underlying medical condtion causing your tinnitus. The best treatment for tinnitus in the early stages, is to do nothing. I explain this all in my articles and I advise you to read them. You shouldn't even been referred to a hearing therapist yet unless you're finding it difficult to cope, so you might need some couselling. More is explained in my articles. Read them and then you'll understand what tinnitus is all about.
Best of luck
Michael

 

[pytajnick]

As @maltese says: you are wasting money going anywhere else for treatment. No private practice in the UK can compete with the NHS for tinnitus treatment I assure you. Private practice are not into the long haul which tinnitus can be sometimes. To be honest, I think you were sent to ENT too quickly. Perhaps your GP wanted to make sure there was no underlying medical condtion causing your tinnitus. The best treatment for tinnitus in the early stages, is to do nothing. I explain this all in my articles and I advise you to read them. You shouldn't even been referred to a hearing therapist yet unless you're finding it difficult to cope, so you might need some couselling. More is explained in my articles. Read them and then you'll understand what tinnitus is all about.
Best of luck
Michael

Actually, I've read your articles and initially was trying to just monitor my condition. In fact, after the initial period of anxiety (one month) I've started slowly to improve in terms of coping and my T seemed to get lower in volume. But after that the condition started to aggrevate. (new sound, higher loundess, T attacked the second ear) That's why I asked both ENT and GP for further examination. It's hard to be patient when you're suffering more and more...

 

[Michael Leigh]

Actually, I've read your articles and initially was trying to just monitor my condition. In fact, after the initial period of anxiety (one month) I've started slowly to improve in terms of coping and my T seemed to get lower in volume. But after that the condition started to aggrevate. (new sound, higher loundess, T attacked the second ear) That's why I asked both ENT and GP for further examination. It's hard to be patient when you're suffering more and more...

Before the onset of your tinnitus did you listen to music through headphones or attend clubs or concerts regularly?

 

[Michael Leigh]

@pytajnick
If exposure to loud sounds isn't the cause of your tinnitus then something else caused it. If there was an underlying problem causing your tinnitus this would have been found when you had the hearing test at ENT and MRI scan? Did you have an MRI scan? If you're feeling stressed because of the tinnitus this is quite common, tell your GP. She will probably prescribe you something to help that. As long as there's no underlying medical problem causing the tinnitus, it's best to wait and see. Talk to your GP. The answer in my opinon isn't to ask for or another referral for tests. If you're still having difficulty your GP will probably refer you back to ENT and they will send you to Audiology for tinnitus management. At the moment the best treatment is to do nothing except taking something for stress or anxiety. Use a sound machine at night, try to avoid sleepling in a quiet room.

 

[pytajnick]

@Michael Leigh
I can't really tell what caused my T initially. I had an MRI scan, tympanometry and a standard hearing test. My GP gave me mild antidepressant for sleeping. I was using sound enrichment a lot. I've read a lot the forum in the first days after treatment (found some of your threads very helpful as well for which I'm really grateful) so basically, more or less I knew the drill. I am not sure but I believe that it was you who stated that one should wait and obsereve as long as the condition is not getting worse. I am concerned because I was once refused to have new refferal. Now to have a visit to GP I'll need to wait a month or more, than (Big maybe) She will refer me to ENT (another 3 weeks), than ENT (even Bigger maybe) will send me to Audiologist. Waste of time for me and two doctors...
Sorry If I sound somewhat defensive. I really appreciate your opinion and willingness to help. It's just... Since onset I've had 6 visits, no underlying reason found, lack of necessary tests made (endoscopy among others) and the condition worsened. I feel like NHS just want to tick me off.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I feel like NHS just want to tick me off.

With all respect @pytajnick I don't agree with you that the NHS are to use your term "ticking you off" Since you've read most of my posts then you know I am quite experienced with "noise induced tinnitus" There are many other people in this forum that know more about tinnitus than me. However, I feel they would tell you a similar thing. You've had all the relevant tests. The ear is a very delicate organ and the best thing to do is to "leave things alone" for now. Forgive me for asking this question again as I don't think you answered it. Did you used to listen to music through headphones regularly? Or attend places where loud music is played? Or work in a noisy environment?

 

[pytajnick]

Yes, I've been listening to music through earphones and at first thought that must be the reason for T, still I consider it very likely. The problem is that I also had a recent history of ear infection which caused 2 days lasting T 3 months earlier, problems with decompression during flights...

 

[Michael Leigh]

listening to music through earphones and at first thought that must be the reason for T

If you have been listening to headphones regularly and probably at too high a volume, this is the likely cause of the tinnitus. Although, an ear infection can cause it. I advise you not to use headphones for now (preferably never again) but it's your choice. Take the antidepressants that your GP has prescribed and give yourself time for the tinnitus to settle down and your stress and anxiety. Your GP and ENT are doing the right thing. What you need at the moment is to just try and relax as much as possible. Follow some of the advice I suggested in my articles and the positive advice from other members in this forum. Tinnitus is stressful at first but with time and patience you will improve.

Michael