My ENT Appointment Is Finally Today — Will Report Back

I was referred to an ENT in October 2018, here in the UK. Today I have my ENT appointment so I wait with baited breath as to what help I will be offered or be disappointed at how things haven't changed.

Either way, I'll report back later.

 

Back from ENT at the Freeman in Newcastle.

Overall... I'm very happy with how it went.

I was seen quickly and professionally. Had my hearing tested - there has been no hearing loss and my results are the same as in 2015 and I have very good hearing. [I'll come back to this later]

There's no fluid behind my ear drum.

I'm being referred to a Specialist Tinnitus Clinic and the Consultant said he will try and push it through quickly.
My earwax was removed manually and by using a camera... I was given the choice of that or suction. The consultant could tell that made me nervous due to the noise so he did it by hand.

He hadn't heard of Neuromod but he said to discuss it with the Clinic, who might have. Depending on timing I see this as an opportunity to work with the Clinic whilst hopefully using the device SOMETIME this year.

Because of my recent chest infection and cold my hearing may remain muffled for a few months which he says can make tinnitus seem louder.

So... hearing loss... for those who know me my tinnitus spike occurred after a piano playing session. I was expecting some hearing loss as my tinnitus was noticeably aggravated the following morning and hasn't settled.

So what does this mean - hidden hearing loss? Tinnitus can spike through noise but without any hearing loss?

 

That's good news @Allan1967. Good that you have no hearing loss and hopefully your referral will come through quickly.

 

Is your tinnitus somatic?

 

You most likely won't see a difference anything beyond the margin of error on an audiogram unless you experienced something very severe like a blast.

After my 2x trauma from an MRI I did not see any changes up to 16 kHz, in fact my audiogram is the same for the last 6 years despite multiple tinnitus increases.

So yeah it is some kind of undetectable damage I guess.

 

Try to stop speculating over hearing loss Allen. I did mention to you some time ago not to dwell on this, as it can increase stress and anxiety which will do you no good. Whatever treatment you decide on with the clinic, I strongly advise you to limit visiting tinnitus forums once you begin and try to get back to enjoying the things you like to do in life. Whatever treatment you have it can be the best in the world, it can't do it all! You have to back this up with positive mental attitude. In order to do this, you to have to engage in doing positive things, anything try to take your focus away from tinnitus.

All the best
Michael

 

I can modulate it by clenching my jaw and pressing my ear, yes. Why do you ask John?