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Hearing aid question

Posted , 6 users are following.

mary16977
mary16977

Hello, I'm new to this forum and just started researching Meniere's support. I've had MD for about 13 years. I recently got bilateral hearing aids as I could no longer deny my hearing loss. My question is, has anyone else noticed that their tinnitus is worse when wearing/after wearing the aids? I haven't been back to the Dr or audiologist yet as I'm just a week in. I need to protect my ears as very loud or high pitched sounds have always hurt and increased the ringing in the past. Am I doing more harm wearing these? I don't want to make the tinnitus permanently worse. Thank you all very much

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • paul01145
    paul01145 mary16977

    Posted

    Hello mary I've had md a long time and I'm like you they hurt my ears but everyone is different but last time I was there I got told people with md find it difficult to adapt to hearing aids hopefully this helps take care and good luck

  • christine_35821
    christine_35821 mary16977

    Posted

    Hello Mary. I have worn bilateral aids for 4 years as I had hearing loss before Meniere’s. I don’t have a problem in normal environment but loud voices and shouting are jarring to me. One thing I never do now is go to the cinema as the volume seems excessive these days and my ears will ring for hours after. I do wear them all the time though as I would struggle without them. Just persevere and you will adjust. 
    • mary16977
      mary16977 christine_35821

      Posted

      Thank you Christine. I was just worried because I do need the hearing aids at this point and have typical Meniere's hearing loss with extra perception and sensitivity to loud, high pitched sounds...but if weighing struggling to hear with this extra loud and worse tinnitus I think I might take struggling to hear lol Thanks for the support!

  • monstermama
    monstermama mary16977

    Posted

    THank you fot writing Mary.  Like you, I have had Menieres for a long time and I have never understood why I can’t be around loud sounds but I feel I need hearing aids because I can’t hear many things. It doesn’t make sense!  How can you explain that to people?  I can not even imagine amplified noise with a hearing aid in my ears.  Ear buds make me crazy like movies, tv, large gatherings and restaurants.

    Just last night I had to wear ear plugs because my oldest son talks so loud in our home. Can anyone explain this phenomenon?   Thanks!

    • mary16977
      mary16977 monstermama

      Posted

      This support is wonderful and it's nice to know I'm not alone. I'm the same way...even the high pitched beeps of the microwave with these hearing aids in is excruciating! Then my ears ring worse! I will keep at it smile

  • nancy60118
    nancy60118 mary16977

    Posted

    I am a long term MD patient and also long time hearing aid wearer in both ears. My suggestion is to work with the audiologist until they get your hearing aids adjusted so they are comfortable. They should be able to mask some of the tinnitus. Also it sounds like they have them turned up too loud. Just keep after them to make programming adjustments. I hope you have a good audiologist. It seems like some places are just interested in sales, so beware. If they don't seem willing to work with you go somewhere else. You have a trial period when you can return them. Insist on that.

    • mary16977
      mary16977 nancy60118

      Posted

      Thank you Nancy! I do have 30 days to return them. They are Phonaks, the second tier aids, up from the base model. There's no volume control on them, she calibrated them on the computer. Said we would do it gradually, so they aren't even turned up to where I need them. Yikes! lol My voice sounds like I'm in a cave, I hear shh-shh scratching when my hair rubs on them, etc., I know there's an adjustment period. smile I think she's a good audiologist lol but idk...she was referred by my physician. Thanks again.

  • david2salsero
    david2salsero mary16977

    Posted

    Hi Mary. Welcome to the forum, and thank you for sharing your story about your MD. I have MD is one ear so far. I started with heigh frequency loss when is was 18. Officially diagnosed with MD last year though it was difficult. Since then the disease has been progressing and affecting my hearing. I too have to deal with hyperacusis, so I use ear plugs when I’m in a loud environment. My issue now is low frequency sounds. My hearing aid is basically useless for those frequencies though I am due for an adjustment. When my hearing recovers, no problems. My hearing comes and goes once I have an episode. It usually starts with pressure. Do you suffer from vertigo? Do you take any medication to combat the tinnitus? Have you tried tried supplements to increase blood flow in the inner ear? Some folks have mentioned relief from John of Ohio supplement program. Stay positive.
    • mary16977
      mary16977 david2salsero

      Posted

      Thank you so much for sharing your story with me David. I do have MD in both ears although worse in my left ear. I do suffer from vertigo and actually, I'm always slightly dizzy. I haven't had a bad attack for a couple years, knock on wood. The tinnitus is so bad...so loud and with layers of tones and pitches in the ringing. It did come on gradually over the years and I think I'm good at tuning it out but that's why I was worried about the aids because the ringing seems worse when/after I wear them. My hearing loss has become permanent at this point. I'm on a low sodium diet and take a diuretic daily but I'm not sure of the efficacy lol I had done a lot of research and always hoped I'd be one of those that had a spontaneous remission but the years dragged on and I guess not. smile I know some of my vertigo triggers, so that helps. smile Thanks again, I'll research your advice!! Best to you...

    • monstermama
      monstermama mary16977

      Posted

      Mary,  what are some of your triggers ?   Mine are noise and stress.....
    • mary16977
      mary16977 monstermama

      Posted

      Those are tough to avoid! sad I'm almost afraid to post mine because they will sound so odd. lol I can scroll "up" on a screen but if I scroll "down" for too long I'll feel the nausea and woozy spin starting. I can look to the left all day long but if I have to turn my neck to the right I'll feel it coming on. I also can't crane my neck and look up for long. Like if a friend had their tv mounted over the mantel I can't look up and watch it for long. I also can't lie flat. (Makes dentist and doc visits tough because as soon as I lie flat I'm spinning) I had some of my worst bouts before I started sleeping sitting up. The recliner or bed with wedge pillows is it for me now. Haven't slept on my side or stomach for years. I think lack of good sleep is a big part of my struggle. Like I mentioned, I'm always slightly dizzy. I've learned to live with it and compensate I think. But how wonderful it would be to have a clear-headed, non-dizzy day! Lol Stress or anxiety definitely raises the volume on the ringing in my ears though! Thanks for the support, I wish the best for you.

    • monstermama
      monstermama mary16977

      Posted

      Oh Mary. Your positional stuff sounds awful. Can not imagine. And you have not had any relief from doctors?  Have you tried alternative medicene? Acupuncture?  Hope your situation improves in the new year!  

      Laura

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