Warning: Acoustic Reflex Test

Yes, I just wanted to warn everyone with tinnitus and hyperacusis to avoid this test, if possible. I strongly advice against it. It gave me a bad spike a couple hours later and possibly has worsened my condition too.

ENTs and audiologists should be a lot more considerate with people who suffer from the aforementioned conditions.

 

Are you feeling better today?

 

Oh I wish you would of posted about this beforehand. I've known for years this tests is to be avoided. So sorry, I hope it goes down.

 

I am feeling a little bit better today, thank you for asking (could also be due to the 'cocktail' of all the drugs I'm on these days - not sure).

It is not your fault. I should've done my research on this forum and educate myself first. The first time I had the test done I went to see my ENT upon the onset of my problems (4.Nov.2017) and then again last Thursday in a good hospital after multiple reassurances of the whole ENT dept. that the test is completely safe. I guess I should've trusted my survival instincts more. What can be done now, tho? Can't travel back in time.

So I just wanted to start this thread as to warn possible new patients of the risks that this procedure bears.

Can't get rid of the feeling now that by undergoing this test I killed my chances of recovery. Makes me upset every time I think of it.

 

Many of us have been there. Once a spike doesn't go away after a couple of days, it is natural to worry about permanent damage. Luckily, for every person who gets permanent damage, there are probably hundreds of people whose spike ends up being temporary.

 

Oh don't think that! Believe me we've all had those experiences we wish we could take back. Just give it some time, and keep in mind there are people who have had this test (without knowing as well) and were just fine. Big hugs!

 

ENTs are useless. they dont know anything. I am suprised they even got through school, no common sense, or logic. I learned more about Tinnitus/Hyperacusis online than them. They are just there for the money. Worthless. Audiologists also dont know anything either. It is scary to think that ENTS/Audiologists treat people.

 

@dpdx

I noticed a negative post from you on another thread and this one really does not help people on this forum.

What evidence do you have with regard to your (negative, and inaccurate) statement?

 

For one thing they assure people who have T that acoustic reflex is safe..

 

Any "good" audiologist would not perform an acoustic reflex test for patients with T and H

 

Here in the USA they dont really care, they want you to do as many tests as possible. Because tests=money

 

Ah I see. I'm not in the USA

 

Well be glad you are in the UK. Doctors here thought the cause of my T could have been because of aids or thyroid cancer when i obviously told them it is from a concert,

 

I am in the U.S. and that has not been my experience.

 

If they would give you time to research and inform yourself. The ENT nurse urged me to do this.
I saw the decive and literally went out of the room. I don't know why I ran out, because she was still talking to me. Maybe it was kind of survival instenct.

Then she called me back over the floor and I returned.
Worst decision of my life. Costs me > 80 years of hearing damage. (I'm 22).

 

doctors in the US and the UK seem to have the same level of ignorance when it comes to tinnitus/ noise induced pain and hidden hearing loss. I read stories all the time on this forum about it.


The US has a staunch advantage in biomedical research happening ( however ENT"s don't kept up to date with research)
a free market in the US has an advantage when it comes to less regulations and competition
that's why the bio-companies in the US are so advance making these discoveries faster then the UK.


The UK has an advantage of Universal Health Care, it helps people. ( the only problem is muslim immigrants drain the system)
I flirt with the idea of partial socialism... It certainly could work but it can't be coupled with political correctness and abrahamic religions.

The NHS and FDA will only be effective for tinnitus when their is treatments for tinnitus they approve, Governments are not usually progressive and could very well continue the standard of care after a cure has been found because $$$ not being their to provide it.

 

Yes CBT on tap cures everything and anything -- comeing online soon.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your experience, Marceline.

Months later I learned that if they absolutely need to perform the acoustic reflex test, they can lower the sound power level to 50 or 60 dB(A). I hope this sort of testing will soon be falling out of favor.

 

damn mannn Like if I understood you correctly you first decided you would not do the test? And the nurse/doctor like overtook your survival instinct (persuaded/talked you into) and made you do the test and it fukked up your ears? Dangggg that's so wrong man dang

They are so good at persuading and making you do stuff you would not like to do...

 

Wow never seen one in person but searched it in YouTube

Inventis Flute • Tympanometry and...

 

There are several tests that all of them request and which are contraindicated for people who have tinnitus and / or hyperacusis. They either don't know or don't care. And it happens all over the world.

 

Of all the ENTs I have gone to, they have never ordered a tympanometry or acoustic reflex.

Surprisingly, the new ENT that I'm going to see has ordered another comprehensive hearing test, tone decay hearing test, and tympanometry.

Anyone knows if there are some cautions a tinnitus sufferer needs to know about tympanometry or tone decay hearing test?

 

I suggest you search here on TT. There are already several members giving their reports that they got worse after the exams, and even they did not have tinnitus and were left with tinnitus after the exams.

 

Yes research the forum. There's some bad stories. I include myself in those.

The one question to ask your ENT - what can they do if any of these tests reveal something? In my experience it's nothing. Now ask yourself why accept the risk?

 

@Tamara, @Capstan These are good responses. Thank you. I'll probably end up not doing them if the ENT says they can't help with tinnitus.