Anyone know about tinnitus and hearing loss

[RingoStarr]

I’ve had tinnitus for a while now and some hearing loss, plus my ears feel strange- very poppy and crackly and as if someone has filled them up with Vaseline.

I have a GP appointment but it’s not for a while. Just wondering if anyone had experienced anything like this and what might be causing it? No previous ear issues.

Do you have lots of ear wax? I imagine the first thing they’ll do is check that. If you can get to a Boots with a Hearingcare, I’d go there if they can fit you in before the GP. They’ll do a proper hearing test and get a good look inside, and it’s free. I did this 2 years ago and I’ve only just been seen on the NHS after I put in the referral request after being seen at Boots and having the hearing loss confirmed. Boots said I’d benefit from hearing aids, and gave me a free 30 day trial, but I just couldn’t afford them. When I was eventually seen by the hospital last month, they had me in an MRI machine in less than 48 hours which was scary as hell. They were checking for tumours which can cause hearing loss but luckily I got the all clear. My hearing loss and tinnitus are unexplained but I’m finally getting my hearing aids next week. I have no idea if it’s standard to have a 2 year wait to see someone. It’s been very frustrating

I popped in to Specsavers to get a free hearing test, turns out I cant differentiate sounds.
I was a TA in an infant school and realised that I struggled to hear an individual child as the background noise was interfering.

I've struggled with tinnitus all my life, im nearly 60, but crackling noises is usually down to an ear infection or a build up of fluid deeper in the ear. Best get it checked out.

I've had vestibular problems for several months. Dizziness and one sided pulsing tinnitus. My MRI was clear, but hearing tests this week showed some hearing loss in the affected side, not enough to warrant a hearing aid.
The dizziness has finally gone but the tinnitus persists and there's not much to be done apparently. White noise and relaxation!
All came on out the blue. I'm 50.
Get checked for wax.

Obviously get seen by a professional but the MotivationalDoc - Dr Mandell on YouTube is fantastic.

https://youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=dr+mandell+tinnitus

I'm pretty sure flare audio buds are supposed to help tinnitus

In my area we can self refer to audiology. They check for wax but also do the heating tests and fit aids if needed. One stop shop on the NHS. Not sure if it’s the same for other areas.

Low iron levels can cause tinnitus, worth getting a blood test?

I’ve just booked to see my GP about my tinnitus. I’ve chalked it up as another menopause symptom and I figure I’m just going to have to live with it, but thought I’d better get it checked out just to be sure. Menopause - the gift that keeps giving.

I’d be wary about getting wax out of your ears if you’ve got tinnitus. Most (all) nhs removal makes a noise that can be at a dangerous level.

I would have a look at the BTA, British Tinnitus Association website.

www.tinnitus.org.uk/

Thanks, everyone. Sorry to hear about others' problems.

I had no idea tinnitus could be menopause related. My GP has been useless about menopause (told me that I was asking for HRT because it was "trendy") so I've been thinking about finding a specialist. Shall be sure to mention the tinnitus if I do.

Hopefully the GP can help. I have tinnitus in one ear, the GP was initially very dismissive but she did refer me on to audiology. They couldn't find a cause and I don't have any hearing loss.
I'm really interested to read tinnitus could be linked to the menopause though. Does anyone know if this includes tinnitus in one ear only? It would be lovely to think that maybe it will stop in future and I could have silence again!

I have age related deafness so I wear bilateral NHS hearing aids. They work ok. No hearing aid however expensive will ever substitute for normal hearing.

Ive also had terrible tinnitus, The sound I hear is a constant whooshing. This is often accompanied by clicking, clanging like hammering on metal, high pitched singing type sounds. It can be awful and worse if I’m tired or stressed.

There’s no cure for tinnitus & it does settle but can take absolutely ages for that to happen. Your brain does get used to it. It’s just another “noise” for the brain to block out.

it’s important to look after our hearing, For example if young people go to a gig or concert and come away with their ears ringing, for sure they’ve damaged their hearing. It will likely catch up with them as they age.

Do you also have vertigo? Tittinus, hearing loss and vertigo are the 3 signs of meneiers disease

I have always had tinnitus a bit, but now worse, vertigo and some muffled hearing. Am off to private consultant ina couple of weeks (know I am lucky to be able to do this) but GP says 2 year plus wait and family history of both vertigo and deafness means I want to know what I am dealing with (mid 50s).

Very timely thread for me ! Ive been experiencing balance issues and partial loss of hearing in one ear. GP cant see anything wrong.
Tried to Get a hearing test at Specsaver but told I needed to GP referral !

I've had a sudden loss of hearing in one ear. I had my ears 'suctioned' as I thought it was due to ear wax but its made no difference. I've seen my GP who took a swab and said there's no infection. There's no pain or discharge, just a feeling as if concrete is stuck down there. My GP tried to get me an urgent ENT appointment but as there's no pain or discharge, the Consultant won't see me and has just referred me to Community ENT. I've heard that the waiting list is a year!

I'm finding it very difficult to adjust to only being able to hear partially and it's already affecting my social life. I feel so cut off. I'm wondering whether to raid my savings and see an ENT Consultant privately.

Does anyone else have experience of sudden, unexplained hearing loss? And would it be a good idea to be seen privately (my GP advised against it saying 'it will cost you a fortune').

@DillyWest Im still experiencing some hearing loss and loss of balance while walking. Had hearing test, which showed some loss but no reason. Im unable to get a GP appointment so have booked a private appointment with an ENT consultant, which still wont be until 9th Jan. It is expensive but It will be worth it for me mentally to hopefully find out what is wrong. I think I could wait a long time for a NHS appointment

@thereisonlyoneofme I'd be interested to know how you get on at your private appointment - would you be happy to outline what happened here afterwards?

Like you, I want to know what's wrong and I don't feel I can wait a year for Community ENT to get round to me as living in this sort of 'half world' is getting me down. I also worry that the hearing loss might be getting worse while I wait. Best wishes and hope it goes well for you on the 9th and you get the information/help you need.

Have your hemoglobin and ferritin checked.

Menieres? Especially with balance issues.

I’ve had pulsating tinitus which came on recently - started with that flu bug that’s been going round - hearing was affected for 4 weeks and then tinitus started. I’m hopping out of all related and will fade in time. GP was useless.

To all those with pulsating tinitis - please get your eyesight checked- have an enhanced OCT check at soscsavers or other optician.

My pulsating tinitis transpired to be a symptom of papilodemia @ Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension which was picked up by having a single fnhsnced eye test & referral for mri and lumber puncture.

Hi OP. Your local hospital will have an Audiology department. Many departments have a tinnitus clinic with specialists. Ask to be referred