Hearing loss

Hello Sezzp, I have progressive hearing loss, it started in the left ear and years later has become bilateral. 

I didn't have hearing loss so badly in the early stages of where vertigo ruled my world. Bertman 

 

Hmmmm, your ENT sounds like he/she is a general ENT.  I think you need to see one that has a sub specialty in inner ear diseases....most ENT do not.  Meniere's Disease has some basic symptoms that all patients experience:

1.  vertigo that lasts at least 20 minutes

2.  hearing loss in LOW decibel range as determined by a hearing test.  Hearing loss unfortunately increases a little every time we have a vertigo attack. 

3.  ear fullness usually preceding vertigo attack

4.  tinnitus which might be loud or soft and may increase in intensity preceding a vertigo attack

And, Betahistine is NOT  a placebo...it does not work for all MD patients but is quite effective for a significant proportion. 

My recommendation to you is to see another ENT but make sure the person has sub specialty in inner ear diseases.  You can usually find the right ENT by contacting the largest hospital system or University medical department near you and asking for the name of an ENT who specializes only in inner ear diseases.  GOOD LUCK!

Hi, I was told that my hearing loss wasn’t to bad when I first started having md symptoms seven years ago and wasn’t given a diagnosis. I then went into remission for five years, and had no symptoms again until last year. When I had a hearing test in January the hearing loss in my left ear was significantly worse and along with the other symptoms it was enough to get me a diagnosis of Ménière’s disease. So even if you haven’t got a diagnosis at the moment it doesn’t mean that you won’t get one in the future.

My specialist told me the medication is supposed to help prevent hearing loss.  And I needed to be on my meds.  I’ve had 2 emp Sac Decompression and with the use of my meds I have 37%.  Which is stable even after the surgery.    I had a severe attack and in 30 days lost 3%.  My advice would be to find a neurotologist and get a correct diagnosis. 

Good luck to you. 

he said my hearing was good but it good sometimes I feel like it goes an comes I can't heard good all the time

Hi Sezzp,  I have had hearing loss for many years before I showed symptoms of MD and was diagnosed two years ago.  Re Betahistine it certainly works for me & I believe the majority of people on here. You definitely need to see a ENT specialising in MD. I was lucky enough to get one who was also very keen on steroid injections into the ear and having a series of these certainly helped me.  My sister in law who has had MD since years has no hearing loss so it is possible. 

Thank you all for your replies and advice. Good to know others have all other symptoms without hearing loss yet. The ENT doc seemed a very junior doctor and said 'he'd been on a course and had learnt that many diagnosed cases of MD are in fact migraine!' 🙄

Seems to me that MD does not follow the same pattern for everyone and if he did hearing test during an attack then he would see a different graph.

Tbf, my hearing before MD was outstanding. I used to have regular tests as a requirement of a job and the nurse always commented on how good my hearing range was.

I'm not so bothered that he was a bit of a numpty , I suppose. As long as I can still get the meds that I know make a huge difference to my life. The original ENT doctor that I saw had no doubt that I have MD. It was just the one I saw for my check up that was a bit of an idiot.

Initially my doctor did not want to diagnose me with MD. Said it was sudden hearing loss and it could return. So I was prescribed a round of steroids. My hearing continued to fluctuate up and down for a couple of years. I had regular hearing test.

My MD attacks were rare at first. Then gradually I lost total hearing in one ear (left) and had more frequent attacks.

Now I have been diagnosed with MD and with my last attack have lost most of my hearing in my right ear

I had MD for over 10 years before my hearing loss started to come and go...and within the last 2 years I finally had to admit it seemed permanent and went in to get hearing aids a few months ago. But in the beginning I had no hearing loss. Tinnitus...dizzy...ear fullness...vertigo attacks...those were my symptoms for the beginning years.

Second opinions are a good thing

All the best,

~Mary

Also to note...I don't get migraines and rarely get headaches and if I do get a headache it seems unrelated to the MD. Everyone seems to present so differently!

~Mary

I likewise do not have hearing loss after 2-3 years. My ECOG was + and because my symptoms are triggered by salt the doctors say I have MD. I have been on dyazide and a low salt diet since. I am not eligible for the shots because I don’t have hearing loss. The side effect of the steroid shots is hearing loss so they don’t want to risk giving you hearing loss if you don’t already have it. My suggestion is to find an ENT who specializes in inner ear disorders.  MD is rare and it sounds like your doctor is maybe a general ENT? Good luck and I am so sorry you have this crazy disease

I have hearing loss but I also know and I am no doctor that everyone on here is different and it affects everyone differently....Sometimes these doctors need a reality check and remember. they are human and be open to listening to the patient rather than draw their own conclusions.....good luck to you and betahistine has helped so many including myself but once again not all but the majority it certainly has helped!