Tinnitus and Severe Hearing Loss After Surgeries for Crohn's Disease and Several Medications

[Daisee]

Hello, I live in Canada and came here because I really need help. I have severe hearing loss, and while I didn't recognize the tinnitus at first, it has gotten really bad over the last few years. I have had more than one surgery for Crohn's disease and was on more than one medication during and after surgery. I recall waking in the hospital and it sounded like a radio announcer voice that was talking fast and couldn't be made out.

At the time I thought it was coming from another patient's room, then thought maybe it was from all the meds I was on during and after surgery.

Since then, it has worsened and so has the hearing loss, I hear factory sounds in my ears or the roaring sounds of the ocean, I can't even explain the sound? It's constant and so loud some days, I can't concentrate on what I'm doing? I take my hearing aids out, and there is no relief, I run out of the house, there is no change, I sit and cry and there is little relief, I pray, but the sound is still there. I can no longer make out a conversation with my hearing loss, even with hearing aids in.

I have seen 3 ENT Specialists, and I'm supposed to go back to my Audiologist in beginning of the month and she is to refer me back to the ENT who was talking about Cochlear Implants if I'm a candidate after further testing? Some say this can improve the tinnitus as well. But even she didn't seem to relate to more than my hearing loss, but had no comment on the tinnitus?

The ENT doesn't really know the cause of the hearing loss, but says it may be immune and genetic related? Another ENT told me my jaw is out?

How can life be so cruel to take one's hearing away and replace it with this? I hope there is help somewhere for all those who suffer with this?

 

[Michael Leigh]

HI @Daisee

Sorry to read of the discomfort that you are having with tinnitus at the moment. I think the main cause of it worsening is due to severe hearing loss which you mentioned early in your post. Hearing loss can cause tinnitus or make a pre-existing condition worse the more the hearing deteriorates. The fact that you have been advised of Cochlear implants, suggests to me you have significant hearing impairment and probably more than your hearing aids can cope with, and this is the reason you are not finding them helpful.

I think your situation needs professional help and the right person to see is an ENT doctor which you are already doing, as this is their area of expertise. Whilst they are not tinnitus specialists they are physicians and know how to treat underlying medical problems affecting the Ear, Nose and Throat. After ENT has done all the can for you, then you should be referred to your Audiologist for tinnitus treatment and management.

I wish you all the best and hope you get some relief from the tinnitus soon.

Michael

 

[Daisee]

Thank you Michael and yes, it did seem to progress with the worsening of the hearing. I cannot make out any conversation now even with my hearing aids, so yes, the appointments start in beginning of the month and then waiting for more, (possibly months) since everything is slow here now with the Covid19 crisis, but it will all be in progress soon, or so I think?

Daisee