Tinnitus Specialist / Doctor in Vancouver, BC (or in Canada)?

[porcelainblue]

Hello!

I've had constant unilateral tinnitus for the past 16 days and it seems to be getting worse. My audiogram suggested slight hearing loss in the affected ear, but "nothing to worry about".

The ENT has put me in the queue for an MRI and wants to wait until results are back. His clinic staff said that this could be months due to COVID-19 backlogs.

I am aware of some of the suggestions in the 'Early days after onset' thread are time sensitive, such as steroids. The problem is that neither my ENT nor my GP seem particularly concerned. I've also tried 2 walk-in clinics for second opinions and possibly a steroid prescription, to no avail.

If anyone has any recommendations for more tinnitus-aware practitioners, I would be immensely grateful.

 

[bobvann]

I am in the same area. Everyone I have seen has failed me so far... Includes St. Paul's Tinnitus Clinic, Sound idEARS at Oakridge mall, Sonaris in Surrey (only interested in as our good USA friends refer to as $$ Benjamins), CBT with Dr. Lau, CBT Vancouver which was recommended by St. Paul's Clinic.

Most recently I was at Hearing Life who were more honest and let me run a trial at no cost. I kind of discovered sound therapy makes things worse for me. May be different for you. Just make sure you have a trial period. You will still be charged several hundred dollars for a tinnitus "assessment".

 

[PeteJ]

I am in the same area. Everyone I have seen has failed me so far... Includes St. Paul's Tinnitus Clinic, Sound idEARS at Oakridge mall, Sonaris in Surrey (only interested in as our good USA friends refer to as $$ Benjamins), CBT with Dr. Lau, CBT Vancouver which was recommended by St. Paul's Clinic.

Most recently I was at Hearing Life who were more honest and let me run a trial at no cost. I kind of discovered sound therapy makes things worse for me. May be different for you. Just make sure you have a trial period. You will still be charged several hundred dollars for a tinnitus "assessment".

Canada's tinnitus climate is like everywhere else. Useless and there is no organizations that help and specialists (i. e. ENT appointments) are useless. There's even some device that audiologists may use that may harm. It's probably best to decline that test.

Do the main hearing test and buy: ear muffs, ear plugs, NAC, magnesium and maybe curcumin. Check the forum for other suggestions. Canada is just another craphole country that has no help or support for this health condition.

 

[dan]

There is no treatment/cure for tinnitus, hence no "tinnitus practitioners".
You get a free audiogram in Canada and told to live with it, if you have normal hearing they wont Rx you steroids.

Also tinnitus is not considered a big deal in Canada.

 

[bobvann]

The little fucker at Sonaris Fred Matta, Charged $280 for a Tinnitus "assessment" which was 3/4 part audio gram which is free in most places. I had 5 hearing tests prior and had sent him results. The MOST honest practitioners were Hearing Experts and Connect Hearing who just threw up their hands and told me not to waste my time & money.

 

[porcelainblue]

Hey! Thank you all for replying and for the heads up re which places to avoid.

@dan
That is my experience too: because my audiogram shows only "mild" hearing loss in the affected ear, I haven't been able to find anyone who will prescribe steroids. This is incredibly frustrating: since my onset is recent, the steroids seem worth a shot!

 

[PeteJ]

There is no treatment/cure for tinnitus, hence no "tinnitus practitioners".
You get a free audiogram in Canada and told to live with it, if you have normal hearing they wont Rx you steroids.

Also tinnitus is not considered a big deal in Canada.

If they don't want to even try but confirm their uselessness by doing nothing, they could at least try to help moderate/severe tinnitus sufferers get disability.