1. Community
  2. Ears, nose, throat and mouth
  3. Meniere's Disease

What were the results of your hearing tests?

Posted , 6 users are following.

cormac1221
cormac1221

One year ago in late September I experienced muffled hearing, ear pressure, and attacks of vertigo. The vertigo happened several times a day at first, then once a day, then it stopped after three or four weeks. By the time I got in to an ENT, my symptoms were gone and my hearing was fine, but he diagnosed me with possible MD and told me to come back if the symptoms return. Almost exactly one year later (two weeks ago from today) I woke up feeling a little dizzy, but it got better as the day went on. The next day I felt full in my left ear with muffled hearing, but the dizziness was practically gone. I went to the ENT and took a hearing test. The hearing in my left ear was reduced by 40% but only at the higher frequencies. The doctor said I could wait a few weeks to see if my hearing comes back again, if it doesn't then I should get an MRI. He's still not sure it's MD. I don't have the vertigo like I did last year, but I still do have the hearing loss, a constant high-pitched ringing and occasional fullness feeling in the left ear. Over the past couple days it's been popping quite a bit. I have two questions:

1) Is it common to have hearing loss at higher frequencies? I read that most people with MD have trouble hearing lower frequencies.

2) Does anyone have MD that is triggered by the change in seasons? It could be a coincidence, but it seems like my symptoms are triggered by the change to autumn, and I do have a history of nasal problems when the cooler drier air arrives.

Thanks.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • dpt57
    dpt57 cormac1221

    Posted

    My first audiogram showed a loss of hearing in both ears but more in the right. The ENT consultant diagnosed Otosclerosis and confirmed I probably had Menieres. My hearing in the right ear seemed to deteriorate and I had a second audiology test a year later. That showed no further loss of hearing and this Audiologist said he didnt think it was Otosclerosis but just blocked sinuses and Eustachion tube. I am now in the dark about the cause of my symptoms.
    • cormac1221
      cormac1221 dpt57

      Posted

      I feel your frustration. I think doctors have a hard time diagnosing inner ear problems because that area is so inaccessible, even to them. I hope you can find some relief in over-the-counter treatments that might help with clogged sinuses.
  • clifford64549
    clifford64549 cormac1221

    Posted

    I find your discussion very interesting from different perspectives, in that once again (and no one in the medical fraternity tells us)  MD is not understood, because it cannot be. You go through a trial and error process with ENT'S, audiologist, neurological examinations, harmful drugs (side effects)......sometimes this gets lucky and you are helped to a certain degree, but most of the time you live with a certain degree of discomfort.

    Please understand, before you think I am the "knight of doom and gloom", let's have a chuckle; "hahahahaha" - we will get to the positive side a tad later - but the truth will set you free (in my humble opinion).

    What causes this disease? 

    Improper fluid drainage, perhaps because of a blockage or anatomic abnormality

    Abnormal immune response

    Allergies

    Viral infection

    Genetic predisposition

    Head trauma

    Migraines

    Something you might have had a long time ago and then through stress or whatever unleashes the virus

    Or really anything in close proximity to your ears and including the nerve system.

    I have MD - 80% loss in right ear, could become bilateral as I age etc. - have my tinnitus (my love song) at a high pitch all the time, still get all symptoms now and again and really have empathy for others who have it much worse than me - especially young people.

    I also have a great life, because I try and manage it.

    I do the diet, I do the exercise (not running but more the pressure points), I have taught my brain (or rather have jinxed it) not to hear the sound (sometimes I mask it), I only take medication if I have an attack e.g.. vertigo, I take something for nausea. 

    The point I am making is that we can fight this and live normal lives, alleviate our symptoms and train our brain  - meditate not medicate, try and stay away from the things that trigger or make your symptoms worse.

    The only time I get really annoyed with MD, is when I 3 putt on the golf course because my balance is a little off that day.

    To answer your question:

    1. I do not know, but the audiologist will.

    2. Most probably, be extra aware over this period and look after your sinuses.

    Go well, I hope your hearing fully recovers (because it might), remember you will always live a normal life  - do not let your brain tell you anything else.

    • cormac1221
      cormac1221 clifford64549

      Posted

      Thank you for the very uplifting post. I like how you refer to your tinnitus as your "love song." You're right, MD (or the symptoms related to MD, in may case) is manageable, although it's probably easier for some people to handle it than others. I'm thankful my present symptoms aren't too bad, even if they may progress as I get older (I'm in my early 40s now). I'm hoping my hearing loss is temporary, but I'm not opposed to wearing a hearing aid in my bad ear if it comes to that. I'm new to this site, but I'm guessing that hearing loss is just a minor inconvenience compared to some of the other conditions that people have to deal with in other forums.

       

    • arax19947
      arax19947 clifford64549

      Posted

      Hi clifford64549. You bring up many good points. Diet and exercise! Can you share what sort of exercises you do besides golf? I get the diet part, which I follow- no sugars, no alcohol, low intake of salt, no grains except a little it of oats in the mornings and some corn. My issues seem to get worse with stress, sinus problems, allergies, etc...

      I have suffered with MD and tinnitus since I was 16. I am now almost 60 and have 80-90% loss of hearing in my right ear and about a 30% loss in my left. The tinnitus I suffer is a loud humming sound 24/7. 

      "do not let your brain tell you anything else" is probably a good advice. Can you share with the rest of us how you mask the sounds or jinxed your brain not to hear them? Thanks 

    • clifford64549
      clifford64549 arax19947

      Posted

      Dear Arax, - Wow  from 16, firstly you have my respect, admiration and empathy.

      I am anal, analytical and extremely cautious when it comes to research - when I find something interesting, I research the person, clinic etc. I find 90% of the entries garbage and the reason for the entry, financial. 

      Even the latest 2017 updates from respected doctors into MD clearly clarifies this statement - it is still not understood.

      However, you give excellent "issue" symptoms, stress, allergies and sinus. You also state that your tinnitus is loud and constant. To answer your question through research (I ain't no doctor) and my own experience, I would suggest you carefully look at the state of your Eustachian tubes based on your symptoms. I have found this method highly beneficial to me and if I did not do this constantly and also meditate for stress and breathe properly; I know that I would be in a far worse state in the management of my MD.

      To look after your tubes go to youtube and type in the search area - How to cure Tinnitus linked to eustachian tube dysfunction - Dr. Mandell

      This is the truth, has really helped me and hopefully can help you too. 

      Go well and through your experience please share anything that can help us. 

    • arax19947
      arax19947 clifford64549

      Posted

      Hello Clifford, I actually had come across Dr. Mandell's videos last year but never followed through. I started to do them as of yesterday. I hope to see a difference. Thanks for reminding me and nudging me towards it for the second try- this won't be a TRY...I'm doing it. 

      Thanks for your input. I will post anything I experience in the near future....stay tuned!

      Thanks again and stay well

  • angela84522
    angela84522 cormac1221

    Posted

    Yes this is third year I have had problems start up strong in October. Barometer pressure change is hard. I was diagnosed with M.D. last October 2016.
    • cormac1221
      cormac1221 angela84522

      Posted

      Yes, that's been my experience also. I love autumn but the change in weather is brutal on my sinuses and ears. I was diagnosed with MD last October too.

  • christine_35821
    christine_35821 cormac1221

    Posted

    This is a very helpful discussion to me. I was recently diagnosed with MD after constant vertigo from last December. This followed pneumonia and months of antibiotics. I already had about 40% hearing loss both sides and have worn aids since 2007 so the prospect of further loss is daunting. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to cut out of my diet apart from salt and caffeine as I have had no advice on this. Like Clifford I try to live a normal life with adjustments such as no alcohol and I retired from my job as it was too stressful lurching out of the office to throw up. I also did site visits for surveys which was also stressful. I am a regular squash player and horse rider and so far have no balance issues and am still taking Serc 8mg x2 three times a day. When should I stop this?  My hearing has recently returned to (my) normal and my ear feels ok. Less of the strange feeling of movement inside. My tinnitus level has also returned to the low hum which is my default. I also have trained my brain to ignore it although it leaps me out with phantom songs which is very weird. Does anyone have experience of hearing aids which are good with music?  
    • cormac1221
      cormac1221 christine_35821

      Posted

      I'm not wearing a hearing aid yet, but I do know that there are several hearing aids that are made for musicians, so those may be a possibility. I'm not sure how expensive they are though.

      I hope your vertigo is manageble. Maybe it was somehow related to your bout of pneumonia, and you won't experience too many relapses.

  • Questor
    Questor cormac1221

    Posted

    I encourage everyone to listen and  watch DR Burcon's u-tube videos about his RESEARCH with Menier's patients.Dr Burcon from Ann Harbor Michigan, is the only Dr I have ever known to do any research.Your Meniers is from a trauma to your head many years ago.!!

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.