Tinnitus... Who has this BS?

I remember doing the hearing tests when I was still in and the ringing was so bad I couldn't hear the beeps so i'd look over at the guy next to me taking the test with me and every time I saw his thumb hit the button, I'd hit it too lol

 

.

At the ATL VAMC, the Tinnitus classes are given through the audiology department. You get a big workbook and have several classes with about 25 veterans in the class.

The classes taught me a lot ... not a cure all ... but the classes really helped.

IIRC ... there were about 4 classes of about 3 hours each with some great hand out information.

 

Wow, struck by lightning. Not many of people like you walking around.

You shouldn't have done that man haha

I'll have to see if they offer that..
I'm gonna have to take some more serious steps to see if I can help this get better. Because it isn't going away, if anything it's getting worse, and amplifying my misery.

 

I've had tinnitus in my left ear for nearly 12 years. My docs believe it was triggered by the many decompression cycles from my frequent flights. I worked for the Dutch Masters and had almost monthly international flights to the land of Wooden Shoes and Wouldn't Listen. The funny thing about mine is that it can act as an indicator of my blood pressure. It was really useful when I was in the middle of my first flood during Memorial day in Houston. Surprisingly the event itself wasn't so bad (thanks to my lucky duck waders that floated by at an opportune point) but after a particularly stressful day dealing with contractors and FEMA my ear was ringing 9.9 level. I took a moment to walk to the local park and settle down on a bench for some meditation. After a little sunbeam time, some deep breathing and counting some blessings the ringing came down and I was centered.

 

I didn’t wear ear pro in one ear for one range cause I couldn’t hear my Squad leader and sure enough we had a hearing test the day we got back from the field.. failed it twice with that bad ear and if I failed it again I was going to have to go to the Naval Hospital to get it checked and I can’t remember whatever it was that was coming up an my Team leader was like “You better pass today. You’re not going to the Naval Hospital. And if you fail again, you better shit a paper that says you passed.” Lol.

 

Is your ENT referring to the internal ear ‘bones’ or are they referring to parts of the skull?

Have you ever heard of a BAHA? Bone Anchored Hearing Aide?
A BAHA is a device that’s surgically attached to your skull. A post (or magnet) sticks out where a processor is placed. The processor then converts sounds to vibrations. Those vibrations are sent into your skull and your Cochlea (inner ear) picks up the sounds.
I have one......
Just something to think about OR - get yourself a 2nd opinion. My local ENT/Docs coudln’t help me. I had to drive 1.5 hours away to John Hopkins to find out about the BAHA.

 

The internal bones. Yea he told me about the BAHA and was considering it, but it wouldn't have been worth it. Something like 20% chance it would help.

 

Does your ENT have the headband that they can test it??? It sounds like they're not equipped enough or they should've offered to test it.

My ENT (at John Hopkins) had a special headband where you can literally test out the BAHA vibrations thru your skull....... Its pretty neat.

I would HIGHLY recommend getting a 2nd opinion and at least find an ENT that is equipped with the BAHA testing headband. Where are you located?
I belong to a lot of BAHA Groups on Facebook where people all over the world have this done. I could try and find a BAHA specific ENT that's near you (hopefully).

Don't give up on your hearing..... Sometimes you gotta take the bull by the horns and push the issue yourself.

Good Luck!

 

One of the last times I was at ENT at the VA, the woman that was seeing me got up before my appointment was done and walked across the hall to another exam room and laid down on the exam table... Didn't even finish my exam.. It's OK tho it only took months to get that slot, pushing a year I think it was.

 

.
...^^^... Try to politely push back on things like that.

When I was in therapy, i Had to see a PhD for therapy and a MD for any meds if necessary.

I get early appts at VAMC, so I am up at 0300 hours and in their parking lot by 0515 hours to get a parking place.

I had several appointments at 0830 with this new MD (shrink) and she was always 10 - 15 minutes late, saw me for 5 minutes, and pushed me put the door 10 - 15 minutes early. She did all this on a 30 minute appointment too.

The 4th time (in a row) that she did this ... I asked her why she was doing this as I got up at 0300 hours for 5 minutes with her and politely told her this was ... "not acceptable therapy to me and was this a new SOP by the VA ??"

She looked at me in a weird way and didn't know what to say. I told others in that dept about her and she was transferred.

I dont recommend this to most veterans, but I am always very polite at the VAMC and the VARO and when I told others about her, they believed me.

You need to ask the person (if at all possible) if their procedure with you was VA SOP and see what they say.

Be careful, this can backfire, but most employees at the ATL VAMC know now ... they have to be more careful with veteran patients ... with the possibility of job loss and/or the VA going private under the present administration. The "VA CHOICE Program" is the first step in the VA going public IMO. This present administration has really shaken up things (for the better) at our local VAMC and VARO.

 

I haven’t noticed mine for years. This thread reminded me that I have it and now I can’t ignore it. Thanks.

 

Does anyone notice that it’s worse when you’ve had a few drinks?

... Asking for a friend.

 

Have any of you ever considered CBD?

I use it to help the anxiety associated with the ringing. It can also force cancer cells into apoptosis, but who's counting..

Urbalactiv.com

We also have a pet line, for the anxious little fellas and the hip dysplasia sufferers.

 

57 and a lot of concerts, cars with loud music, headphones with loud music, worked in various industrial settings before going white collar, etc etc etc. I have it in both ears but doesn't keep me from sleeping one bit. It does fuck with hearing people talk when multiple inputs are happening (TV, other people, other noises). Other than that small to medium annoyance, the thing that annoys me the most is missing complete silence. The white noise is what I have more than ringing. IMO, ringing would be more to deal with.

 

I’m 32 and starting to get it. I notice it mostly in quiet environments and I’m also having trouble understanding certain voices when there’s lots of background noise. Went to the local ENT but he said I’m still within normal hearing range however that stupid soundproof box made it seem almost impossible to pick out the higher tones from the ringing.

 

Public PSA:
For those who have tinnitus and have been diagnosed by an ENT as “within normal limits” please go get your neck examined.

 

Anything specific they should be checking?

I've had it for 10 years or so. Some days it's worse than others and my ears always feel like they're about to pop (ie, altitude/pressure kind of pop). And yes, it wears on your nerves, especially on the bad days and nothing can take your mind off it.

 

Upper cervical dysfunction, specifically. Mechanical issues of the upper joints or muscles can cause impingement of neural and vascular structures.

History of car accidents or desk jobs are examples of positive indicators.

 

Thanks! I've been working desk jobs most of my adult life, but I also enjoyed loud music and played drums when I was young.

I'm guessing an MRI and/or X-Ray would be needed to determine impingement of neural/vascular structures?