Should I Be Pushing For More Tests (Tinnitus) ?

[CW1]

Had a l-o-n-g appointment at Audiology last week where they gave me hearing aids for tinnitus relief, & a relaxation sound box for night (which is absolutely no use at all, it actually stresses me more as I'm hearing that alongside the tinnitus & can't wait for it to turn off).

 

They also did what I think was an eardrum vibration test (box, like a laptop, & an ear probe). Was told should be about 50 but was actually minus 200. Was asked if I'd had a cold recently - "no" - & GP had been harping on about congestion & told me to use Beconase, which I did for over 7 weeks in total. Made no difference so I stopped. 

 

The hearing aids have little to no affect, get maybe an hour or 2's relief in the evening after wearing them virtually all day, then tinnitus returns just as quickly as it might go, for no apparent reason. Getting some pain in my left ear, & a sore throat too.

 

Have only had a hearing test & this probe, no one is referring me for any further tests, ENT seem to have washed their hands of me since finding *some* hearing loss at higher frequencies in 1 ear (I can hear perfectly fine). I'm convinced there's more to this. Originally the tinnitus was just 1 ear, now it shifts between them & is usually both, & the sound changes from day to day, sometimes more frequently.

 

Can't sleep, had to start taking sleeping tablets just to get a couple hours sleep, am at my wit's end, & really having thoughts I shouldn't have (mentioned to GP but he's not interested). I do have another Audiology appointment in a few weeks. Is there anything I should - could - be pushing for ? 

[Thisoldbird]

I've had Tinnitus 20 or more years. I've worn hearing aids prob 15 yrs..there is no one thing that triggers it to my knowledge. I have been known to get up late at night convinced I can hear a helicopter circling or sometimes a lorry engine left running outside my window.  It's very unpleasant. 

I'm led to believe there is no cure so put up with it. 

I can't stand noise..I turn the TV off most of the time because the background music is exaggerated from the tinny hearing aid sound. 

I wish I knew the answer but so far have to put ip with it. 

[CW1]

Hazlinny, well ... checked my blood pressure at my neighbour's earlier, tinnitus happened to have quietened (as does some Sundays when we're out. No one can explain why) so I was quite relaxed. Quite interesting 🤔

 

I've generally had normal to low blood pressure as used to be quite active. No GP has checked it for for years. Today, lowest of 3 was 125/83. Checked back thru' notes on my phone & I'd done it last July too. That was 101/62. Does make me wonder why no GP has thought to check it, especially with the last 2 appointments being tinnitus related 😦

 

Thanks for the pointer, I'll be mentioning it to the GP 👍 

 

[Hazlinny]

^^ Will look forward to hearing what GP has to say - sometimes one has to give a little nudge as to what might be the cause of whatever is the problem.😊 

[Canary42]

I've had it for over twenty years, but most of the time I just don't notice it - currently noticing it because of reading this thread. The only other time it really bothers me is in the theatre during quiet scenes.

I am on medication for high blood pressure which does seem to be effective, it being down to 139/70 last time I measured it (two days ago). But tinnitus still thriving.

[Patsy33]

Are you on any medication, CW1?

[CW1]

Plenty, Patsy33 🙄 The Audiologist did agree one can cause tinnitus but said no more tho' I'd already been on it 12 years when this happened. Don't think there are many - if any - alternatives, but I'll bring that up when I see them again in a few weeks.

 

It did actually go while I was at my neighbour's yesterday, & stayed gone for over 12hrs, albeit with the hearing aids in. This is what I just don't get. Go, & STAY gone ! 😔