- Mar 1, 2016
- 2
- Tinnitus Since
- 01/2016
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Hereditary hearing loss and serious ear infection
Hello,
Hearing loss runs in the family. I've qualified for hearing aids for over 15 years but was getting by. Early January 2016 I got bronchitis (not new) and an ear infection for the first time ever at 54 yo. OUCH!! Well, it took out what was left of my "doable" hearing. 3 rounds of antibiotics, 2 ENTS, prednisone later the T is hear! Looking back I'm not sure my PCP believed me and wish I'd gone straight to an ENT and/or known to ask for prednisone. 1st ENT drained fluid, ear antibiotics, and later put in the tubes as the pressure and fluid were so painful. I truly couldn't hear a thing. My audiologist loaned me a hearing aid as I had a conference to attend--that was a life saver. The 1st ENT pretty much dismissed me even when I was still bothered by muffled sounds in one ear. I decided to get a 2nd opinion was then put on a round of prednisone. The T began to increase over time. Now the soft tinnitus is moderate. I'd never been awakened by it until about a week ago. Oh my! Well I certainly believe my increased anxiety increased the tinnitus so I backed off "googling" everything and stressing over it--better but not gone of course. White noise and ocean waves are my friend! Glad I love the ocean! OVer the weekend the "muffledness" seems to have gone--I hope for good! Today I've done more internet research and it's louder. I already take an antidepressant for anxiety but not sure it's very effective now..but certainly takes the edge off. I'll be discussing this with my PCP and ENT. I ordered hearing aids this week and look forward to better hearing and hopefully less T while wearing them.
Hearing loss runs in the family. I've qualified for hearing aids for over 15 years but was getting by. Early January 2016 I got bronchitis (not new) and an ear infection for the first time ever at 54 yo. OUCH!! Well, it took out what was left of my "doable" hearing. 3 rounds of antibiotics, 2 ENTS, prednisone later the T is hear! Looking back I'm not sure my PCP believed me and wish I'd gone straight to an ENT and/or known to ask for prednisone. 1st ENT drained fluid, ear antibiotics, and later put in the tubes as the pressure and fluid were so painful. I truly couldn't hear a thing. My audiologist loaned me a hearing aid as I had a conference to attend--that was a life saver. The 1st ENT pretty much dismissed me even when I was still bothered by muffled sounds in one ear. I decided to get a 2nd opinion was then put on a round of prednisone. The T began to increase over time. Now the soft tinnitus is moderate. I'd never been awakened by it until about a week ago. Oh my! Well I certainly believe my increased anxiety increased the tinnitus so I backed off "googling" everything and stressing over it--better but not gone of course. White noise and ocean waves are my friend! Glad I love the ocean! OVer the weekend the "muffledness" seems to have gone--I hope for good! Today I've done more internet research and it's louder. I already take an antidepressant for anxiety but not sure it's very effective now..but certainly takes the edge off. I'll be discussing this with my PCP and ENT. I ordered hearing aids this week and look forward to better hearing and hopefully less T while wearing them.
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