So You've Just Experienced Tinnitus. What Steps Do You Take?

So you've just experienced Tinnitus...what steps do you take?

I found this list on a website which looks like a good starting point for anyone that's just experienced Tinnitus for the first time and doesn't know what to do.

Please feel free to add to and edit this list.

Medical/Audiologic Evaluation/Exams Should Include:

- Complete case history including tinnitus and hyperacusis, overall health
- Investigation into whether vertigo or imbalance is present.
- History of head trauma, other illnesses or conditions.
- History of medication use, abuse, previous and present.
- Physical exam of head, neck, throat, ears, chest, etc. etc.
- Blood pressure, pulse, listening to heart and lungs.
- Possible blood testing recommended for Lyme disease, thyroid, etc.
- MRI or CAT scans as indicated by presence of objective tinnitus.
- Complete audiologic evaluation including tinnitus/hyperacusis.
- Possibly an Auditory Brainstem Response if problem is one sided and test results demonstrate the need.

(Realistically, this sort of examination requires a longer session than the typical 10 minute office visit. When you schedule an examination with an ear specialist for a tinnitus evaluation, you may wish to express a desire for a more involved consultation. According to my two favorite local otologists, this is a perfectly acceptable way to ensure a little more time with them but needs special approval prior to the visit. Also be sure that your primary care physician has completed a referral if your insurance company requires one).

Source: http://www.tinnitus-audiology.com/facts.html

 

Back when I scheduled appointments I told them my ears were burning, ringing, popping which was only enough for a standard examination (meaning being told to learn to deal with it). There is no way people can know this unfortunately yet the list is much needed!

 

Exactly. It saves a lot of time, stress and money when you know exactly what to do.

Imagine how many people go to a GP, wait hours in a queue, get the run around by their GP, go back again and again and again, get referred to an incompetent ENT that says "too hard, just live with it" and doesn't cover anything on this list. Then the patient gets depressed, stressed and anxious...and this could go on and on and on for years before one even covers half of the things on this list.

 

Doctors do not feel that any of this is needed. T is here to stay and you should get used to it.
Maybe they are right ? Lots of people have had all these examinations and it did not help at all.

 

I think once the ENT hears the patient say I have ringing in my ears all their medical studies go out the door. They will even forget to tell you what causes T. Has anybody with T gone to an ENT and didn't tell him about your T and had a regular examination?

 

@RaZaH You have it over two years have you got used to it?

 

While agree that in some instances this may be the case, there's many that rectify the cause of their T and their T goes away.

It's still important to have a thorough medical examination done because T can be caused by some other serious medical condition.

Whether its related to your spine, neck, jaw, hearing loss, brain, diabetes, blood circulation, blood pressure, thyroid etc its important to get everything checked.

 

@Ken219 , Yes , two years and NO , have not gotten used to it.
It has gotten somewhat better or should I say , I have gotten somewhat better at dealing with it.
I have ok days and then the excruciating ones as well.
It might that it varies more , for almost two years it was completely relentless.
Now I get days where its ok.

@MarkD , Yeah I agree , it makes sense to get these examinations out of the way .
Although the futility of this search for a cure/cause has become apparent to me.

I have come to the conclusion that its best to just forget this and move on as best you can.
I will probably change my mind about that within the hour..or tomorrow..

 

From one that has habituated 3 times and hoping for a 4th in several months. It is not bad. If these relapses don't kill me I will habituate again. It is hard to explain but habituation with T can be a normal life. With certain precautions. Wish you the best. God bless. Ken