Tinnitus After Gallbladder Removal & Age-Related Hearing Loss

[Paul10Khz]

Hi everyone, my name is Paul from Australia, aged 53.
My tinnitus literally just 'switched-on while I was recovering in bed from gallbladder removal surgery in 2018.

It is high-pitched (10000 hz), and was so sudden, I thought it was the wifi router next to the bed (some electronics make a noise when they are failing).
I actually said to my wife "damn - we need a new wifi router", then I realised the sound travelled around with me (99% right ear).

It has become more severe since then, with accompanying pain from everyday sounds.
After an MRI, CT scan and audiology test (all physically normal), its been put down to age related hearing loss.
Indeed my right ear has lost high frequency sounds.

I'm now using Livio 1600 hearing aids which produce a masking sound.
They help during the day, I can't bear the tinnitus without them.
When I take them off, the tinnitus becomes severe for 45 minutes before calming-down.

I'm looking forward to a medical breakthrough to help us all.

Cheers
Paul.

 

[billie48]

Welcome to the forum. Did you experience traumatic stress or take any ototoxic drugs for your operation? These can cause the tinnitus too. Take good care. God bless your recovery.

 

[Paul10Khz]

Hi. I followed up with the surgeon to see what anaesthetic had been used. I can't find the name of it now, but he said it was one (deliberately chosen) that did not have the ototoxic side effects.

In addition, I did have major abdominal surgery 3 months prior to the gallbladder removal (ventral hernia repair with mesh), so all of this in the span of a few months was pretty stressful.