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Caloric test

Posted , 7 users are following.

Brookiana
Brookiana

Hi all,

I have just had the results of my caloric test done in may. My ENT told me that I have a 29% loss of vestibular function in the left ear and a 10% loss in the right ear. She basically told me that this is my diagnosis and she has discharged me with a piece of paper with some vestibular rehab exercices to do at home.

As I was shocked at the time , I just left the hospital and thought nothing of it. Now, I'm just wondering what it means! Is this typical of Ménière's? Or does this prove I DONT have Ménière's? I should have asked but I was in shock.

I just don't understand what it means other than its irreversible, they don't know the cause and don't know whether it will get worse or not.

I have accepted my problems with my ears but can't help but feel slightly frustrated sometimes by what seems to be their lack of understanding or ability to explain.

If any of you understand what the caloric test results actually prove or mean, I would be very grateful for some enlightenment.

Thank you in advance and take care all of you x

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Questor
    Questor Brookiana

    Posted

    Really don't know what that test is, if it's not just a hearing test! Dr know nothing about Meniers, or very little! Get a prescription for Serc and go see an Upper Cervical chiropractor! Maybe hearing loss can be stopped! Dr Burcon on utube and Facebook watch and learn! Good luck!

  • patrick45945
    patrick45945 Brookiana

    Posted

    I too was shocked at the nonchalance of my ENT after discussing the results of my tests. While he advised that I did not have MD, he would only say that my 30% hearing loss and tinnitus in my left ear was caused by a viral infection and there was nothing else he could do to help other than suggesting a hearing aid with a shrug of the shoulders.

    After $9K in tests, I was expecting something more. I have tried acupuncture and chiropractic with minimal results but will see an upper cervical chiropractor next week. 

    Hope springs eternal.

    • Brookiana
      Brookiana patrick45945

      Posted

      Oh it does get so frustrating, doesn't it? I feel for you Patrick. I still have no answers and still don't know whether I have MD or not, after a year and a half of investigations. Luckily , I'm in the U.K. so the nhs is free! Still as frustrating though. Some days I'm ok with it and just think I need to accept it, some days I think I'm being taken for a fool 😢

  • tanney
    tanney Brookiana

    Posted

    Hi Brook.  Did your ENT ever tell you if you have MD?  The caloric test is one of the tools used to confirm diagnosis of MD.  Have you noticed any hearing loss or balance difficulties?   If you do have MD it is "normal" that you will have some damage to your vestibular function (balance and hearing via inner ear).  The numbers you mention 29 and 19 seem to indicate that you have NOT lost significant vestibular function.  These numbers may increase the more frequently you have vertigo attacks, but for now your numbers are not something to worry about unless you are noticing imbalance during your everyday activities.  The vestibular exercises you received should be helpful if you are noticing balance problems.

    Good luck!!

    • Brookiana
      Brookiana tanney

      Posted

      Hi tanney,

      I have been suffering with md like symptoms for about ten years but very few proper vertigo attacks. I have finally been seeing an ent for the last year and a half. I have a hearing loss called cookie bite where it is only the mid frequencies that are significantly lower. That, i know is not typical of Ménière's. As the ent was puzzled with my other symptoms, I was told I had probable Ménière's and just discharged with some serc to take. As I had several episodes of being off work with a floating feeling for weeks , being unwell and very unsteady on my feet and dizzy drunk all day, I begged to be referred back to ent. I then had an MRI where everything was clear , then now this caloric test. And the results are what I shared earlier.

      It is driving me insane this unsteadiness and I have now quit my job as a teacher as it was just unbearable , the visual and auditory stimuli drove me to fatigue and anxiety.

      I was really wondering if this caloric test just meant that my balance organs are damaged and that this does happen with md or not.

      Thanks for your reply. 😊

  • louise98846
    louise98846 Brookiana

    Posted

    Hi Brookiana,   Is your ENT a Neurotologist?  The latter have experience in diagnosing Menieres. 

     

    • Brookiana
      Brookiana louise98846

      Posted

      Hi Louise, I'll be honest with you, I have no idea! She's discharged me anyway and doesn't think she needs to see me again. It gets a bit frustrating with the nhs. I know it's free, which is amazing, but you never really see the same person twice or know who they are...

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