Suddenly Lost My Hearing and Developed Earache and Pulsatile Tinnitus — Any Reassurance?

Hi all,

I’ve had tinnitus for many years and have coped well. On Christmas Eve I woke with chronic earache and pulsatile tinnitus. I have lost my hearing in that ear and the tinnitus is screaming so loud that I am struggling.

I have seen my GP who has referred me back to ENT but I’m worried that this may be permanent. Also due to COVID-19 I expect a significant delay in being seen.

Can anyone offer me some help or reassurance?

 

Which ear did this happen in?

Regardless, why didn't you go to urgent care immediately when that happened? Or did you and the GP failed to treat you properly?

Steroids might have brought your hearing back, but now that it's been more than 2 weeks, it is probably too late for steroids.

Medical negligence on the part of your health care professional, in my humble opinion.

 

I couldn’t get an appointment until 4th January. I was given a steroid nasal spray but it has done nothing. My right ear shows fluid in there and my left (which is the worst) just doesn’t look right is what I was told. My left ear crackles but the internal noise only gets louder when this happens and my hearing doesn’t improve.

GP said there could be an issue with the Eustachian tubes.

 

Hello @Sue W.

Could you not take yourself up to A and E?

I know there’s COVID-19 but they will have to see you.

Or even get referred and go private to an ENT.

It’s just a thought. Try and stay positive.

Sending prayers.

 

If the A and E won’t give you steroids, then definitely go private and demand them there. It’s on a later side, but nothing to lose. I believe you can claim the money spent on the private care back from HMRC in this case.

 

I have been referred to ENT but there’s a long wait. Going private is not an option unfortunately. Thank you for your prayers x

 

If already your GP says your ears are not looking good, you may have something treatable. Most of the times ears are looking good and one still has these symptoms. If on the island it's not possible to get an ENT appointment within a few days with these symptoms, maybe go directly to a hospital with an ENT department.

 

I don’t know where you live but sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency. Can you go to an ER or an Urgent Care site and get steroids?

 

And antivirals...

 

Maybe things are different in your country but in case of SSNHL, it sounds like it, or any significant loss of hearing, you don't need an appointment. Just pop up at the nearest ENT. That's what I've done and is common practice here.