Private ENT appointment

[Maybaby1994]

Hi,

Just wondering what I should expect during my private ENT appointment next week? I've had constant issues with one of my ears and last week woke up and it was completely blocked or I've lost my hearing (or both) 🥲. NHS couldn't refer me as urgent as it hadn't been ongoing for 30 days, so I've decided to go private.

Has anyone else had a private ENT appointment? Do they test your hearing while you're there or?

Just curious to know really, and I'm feeling anxious over the appointment itself 😅

Best to get them checked for wax and microsuctioned first. Many opticians offer a service for about £50 , or less if none present.

It would be an expensive way of having your ears microsuctioned if that's all you need.

I'd start with an appointment for microsuction before going straight for an ENT consultant.

@AnnaMagnani if it was only that straightforward lol. I've been in and out the GP with issues with the same ear for over a year and now this has happened along with tinnitus and everyone sounding robotic 🤷🏻‍♀️

But wax can cause that. Will the gp not refer you?

@LIZS they don't seem to think it's a wax buildup after checking my ear multiple times. They offered to refer but wait times in my area is 4-6 months

That is unlucky. I got a nhs referral to ent within six weeks but then had long wait for audiology for hearing aids.

Wow that is quick! They said I didn't meet the urgent referral requirements either as even though it's sudden hearing loss, it's not been for 30 days yet 🙄. I'm only able to go private because my job provides private healthcare insurance.

There is something called "sudden deafness" that can have causes other than a mechanical blockage.
I would definitely keep the private appointment, especially since you have the insurance. I think they will do a specialised hearing assessment, as well as blood tests, MRI and balance tests, depending on what they find.

Hope this resolves quickly and easily for you.

DO NOT GET SUCTION! I KNOW A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEVELOPED TINNITUS AFTER THIS.
Just talk to the Dr and they will examine you. Possibly refer you for a CT or MRI.

@ShrubRose yeah this is what is concerning me tbh. I do have a family history of hearing issues with my dad and grandmother both being pretty deaf and having to wear hearing aids. My grandmother's sister also went deaf with sudden deafness which they put down to a virus!

I had a private ENT consult with similar symptoms last year, my GP had already confirmed there wasn't a basic issue like obvious infection or wax. I went private because the NHS waiting time was insane.

I had an examination by and discussion with the consultant, then went off to another room for a hearing test then back to consultant with the results.

@RollaCola84 was yours a sudden loss or gradual? What was your outcome in the end if you don't mind me asking?

My symptoms were similar and I've been diagnosed with a eustachian tube dysfunction which is fixable. I was incredibly relieved to learn I wasn't going deaf in my late 30s. I've had ear infections since primary school and had convinced myself that the last one had caused permanent cochlear damage.

They will take a history and probably check your ears. They may refer you for a hearing test, this can be at the same hospital if they have the facility. As you’re insured it’ll be the next available appointment.

I had an ear infection and as usual when I get ear infections my hearing went in the affected ear, but then didn't really come back for months on end despite my GP being convinced there was no sign of residual infection. My hearing was badly muffled in one ear and the feeling was like when your ears need to pop on a plane.

I'm really glad I went private, I couldn't have coped with that level of hearing less for the 10-12mths that I was told the waiting lists for adult ENT were in my area and that was an urgent referral ! My consultant was great, I've seen them once again since and will likely again before summer.

@RollaCola84 ah I'm glad yours was fixable! ED was mentioned by my GP to me a few times and up until now I agreed, but I haven't been able to get this "blocked" ear feeling to go for nearly 3 weeks now and because it's now with tinnitus and everyone sounding robotic, I'm really worried it's hearing loss ☹️

I was getting tinnitus as well. My hearing isn't 100% yet but it's probably back to about 70-80% of what it was from October/November. If it doesn't totally resolve I may need a grommet but fundamentally there's nothing wrong with my hearing, hoppefully yours is something fixable like mine was.

But if it is hearing loss, that's solvable too.

So little update for anyone who comes across this post; I have glue ear and need a grommet! Not ideal but at least it can get sorted ☺️

No, not ideal, but compared to other possibilities, I would say that counts as a good outcome!
Thanks for letting us know!

I had this last year. I had a grommet fitted / it didn't fix the problem immediately but after about 6 weeks my hearing felt normal again and the ear wasn't clicking and popping. I still have some tinnitus but it doesn't bother me at all. Good luck!

@Localher0 did you have general or local anaesthetic for your fitting? I'm a big wuss but the Dr was pushing me more towards local?

@Maybaby1994 I had a general as that's how my specialist likes to do them. It was very quick and I was home within a few hours. At my follow up he removed the thickened skin from the ear drum (🤢) and that was so tickly and a tad sore that I was glad I'd had a general!