Losing my hearing

[blackcoffeeblues]

For over 40 years I have had tinnitis--(roaring in my left ear)---years ago the Doc. said I had less than 50% hearing in my left ear.
Yesterday Sharon was watching a "Fallen Officer" memorial in New Mexico where her brother was being honored. When it got to the end, the traditional "TAPS" was played. The sound of the trumpet sent MAJOR dull pain through my left ear and a sharp pain through my right ear which never hurt before.
The roaring got much louder---my right ear had sharp pains going through it (still does). It got so bad that it gave me a migrain headache, and could not sleep very well.
This morning when I woke up---(I should say got up)--my hearing is whackO---even the sound of the microwave oven is unbearable---any noise is just CRAZY is the only way I can describe.---The bathroom fan when I turn it on, then leave the room the fan still rings in my ears for much to long..
I am thinking it has something to do with the time I spend recording or listening through headphones.
Not only is it VERY UNCOMORTABLE---but I am noticing my eqilibrieum is not up to normal par. I could not even get a valve cap back on my car tire today---it took several tries. To make a long story short I am scared. I do know there is not much they can do with hearing. Got to hope for the best---maybe a temporary injury---I sure hope so because it is very uncomfortable.

 

[Silicon Valley Tom]

You had better seek professional help! Not a pleasant experience!

Tinnitus is not uncommon for anyone who has served in the United States Military.

I have Tinnitus, and the frequency heard in the left ear is different than that heard in the right. Neither tone is a musical note. It is not fun! Any loud noise will exasperate the condition, and cause acute symptoms. In my case, it may take several hours to get back to the expected annoying two tone test signal I am accustomed to. It hurts!

As for headphones, the Air Force taught me to never wear headphones over your ears! You might damage your ears due to a loud noise. We were taught to wear them over the temples. Even today, I cannot wear earphones over my ears.



Tom

 

[blackcoffeeblues]

Neither tone is a musical note.

You got that right Brother. I am not going to blame it all on the military, but I am damn sure it did not help the matter none.
As I said I have had it in the left ear for more years than I can remember---but this is WAY different than anything I have ever experienced before, I just hope it is a passing thing that will heal it's self SOON ---the sooner the better. My nerves are shot-I can't hear Sharon when she is talking right next to me and---I am on edge---and about half nautious--that SEASHELL SOUND has went from level 2 to a level 6...FRIGGING ANNOOYING..-.
If we could get that "MUSICAL TONE" thing down, we might get a big following with Crossroads---Anti-Universe music.

 

[Jack]

I'd have your wife take you to urgent care and then they might recommend a specialist. At least you would have some idea of what is going on that way.

 

[blackcoffeeblues]

I have a Doctors appointment Monday. Many of you probably have that TEA POT whistling in your ear---that's how it started years ago.
now I got a Coffee Pot whistle and a 20 mile a hour wind sound going through my ears mostly in the left ear and the right one can't take any sharp or bassy sounds. I don't know which one is worse the sharp sound or the bass sound --but neither are comfortable. Oh well part of getting old I guess.

 

[dvs]

Good idea to see the doc. A sudden onset or change in tinnitus could be a sign of something serious going on (most likely not, but still...) It's worth checking out. Good luck!

 

[ervjohns]

Good luck Dave

 

[Mickey Duane]

Best of luck with your ears

I have been going deaf for quite some time

that's why I play really - loud - just so I can hear it

peace

 

[blackcoffeeblues]

The fact I hung around pool halls for far to many years and hearing the rack break---playing in bands---worked in foundries---been thru a couple mortar attacks---a M-79 grenade round blowing up with in less than a yard---and running concrete pumps for years (Really loud and noisey)-...add all that up with my stubborn stupidity of ignoring the "Ear plug warnings". It does not come as to much of a surprise. In my years I realize---I have been my own worst enemy when it comes to my health. No one to blame but me.

 

[Elio]

I would get that checked by an ENT immediately. I have had tinnitus for several years, but not surprisingly since I have hobbies that involve shooting guns and playing electric guitars. My dad was a waist gunner on a B-17 and came home with very severe hearing loss and tinnitus, so I tend to be really careful about hearing protection and regular ENT visits. Fortunately, my future daughter-in-law is an audiologist, so I tend to hammer her with a lot of questions.

A few years ago, I woke up with much more severe than usual tinnitus and a really dramatic hearing loss in one ear. The same day I got in to see my doctor who determined that I had a viral infection causing inflammation in the inner ear and the auditory nerve. He put me on high dose steroids with the warning that waiting could result in permanent damage. The steroids did their job and my hearing mostly returned in a few days.

 

[CaptainMoto]

OH Boy!
Just catching up on this.
It's Tuesday, I assume you've seen the doctor by now.
Hope things improve.

Keep us posted please.

 

[John-G]

I completely understand your plight, Dave. I served 3 yrs in the military as a tank driver and after thousands of 120mm cannon shots, I eventually ended up with tinnitus. The whistling, though very annoying but still bearable, does worry me, and I hope it won't get any worse. In addition to my day job, I'm a soundman on Fridays at the local Mall where bands come and play for the locals. The tinnitus still hasn't affected my ability as a soundman, (we make sure the music stays under 80 decibels), and at home I 've stopped playing music at extremely high levels. Damage has been done, for sure, but it's something I live with. Anyways I wish you well

 

[Elwood]

I have a Doctors appointment Monday.

glad you are getting it checked out. That is a total "quality of life" issue. best to do what you can!

All the best!!!

 

[blackcoffeeblues]

I thought I had already answered this ---but guess not--went to the Doc--She gave me a hearing test confirming the same thing the Doc told me 15-20 years ago GEE--WHOOOPIE--what a relieve---come back in 2 weeks--if it is not any better we will do another test?????
It does seem like it is getting better---I guess I should say back closer to the old ANNOYING sound as long as I don't hear any sharp clangs--bangs--Sirens--AND--- the A.C. fan in my car---the shower fan----Now if MAMMA would quit yelling at me, it might help? She thinks I am totally deaf- I will survive...

 

[MikeS]

I thought I had already answered this ---but guess not--went to the Doc--She gave me a hearing test confirming the same thing the Doc told me 15-20 years ago GEE--WHOOOPIE--what a relieve---come back in 2 weeks--if it is not any better we will do another test?????
It does seem like it is getting better---I guess I should say back closer to the old ANNOYING sound as long as I don't hear any sharp clangs--bangs--Sirens--AND--- the A.C. fan in my car---the shower fan----Now if MAMMA would quit yelling at me, it might help? She thinks I am totally deaf- I will survive...

FWIW, When your audiologist gets around to telling you to get hearing aids (and they will), when Marsha & I were looking for new hearing aids we happened to talk to @Dennard. and he told us about his Phonak hearing aids. We were sold. We got a newer version , the Phonak P90 (kinda appropriate right?) and we LOVE them. They connect to our phones so that we can take calls and hear them in our hearing aids, with an additional device (provided by the audiologist), they can connect to our TV (Marsha can read right next to me while I watch a TV show and she won't hear a thing). They also have special programming that hey audiologist can do that automatically switches programs based on your environment. In the car I have mine turn up noise reduction and increase volume in my right ear (where Marsha sits) and decrease it in my left ear to reduce road noise. There are programs for quiet restaurants (I also have a restaurant one that increases the volume in the ear nearest Marsha), Listening to music, and you can even create your own programs. When Marsha is sitting across from me in a restaurant, I have them narrow their focus to just in front of me.
They aint cheap, but I got so tired of asking people to replete themselves that I think they are worth the money. Ours are not the rechargeable ones, but they audiologist provides free batteries for life.

 

[sloslunas]

FWIW, When your audiologist gets around to telling you to get hearing aids (and they will), when Marsha & I were looking for new hearing aids we happened to talk to @Dennard. and he told us about his Phonak hearing aids. We were sold. We got a newer version , the Phonak P90 (kinda appropriate right?) and we LOVE them. They connect to our phones so that we can take calls and hear them in our hearing aids, with an additional device (provided by the audiologist), they can connect to our TV (Marsha can read right next to me while I watch a TV show and she won't hear a thing). They also have special programming that hey audiologist can do that automatically switches programs based on your environment. In the car I have mine turn up noise reduction and increase volume in my right ear (where Marsha sits) and decrease it in my left ear to reduce road noise. There are programs for quiet restaurants (I also have a restaurant one that increases the volume in the ear nearest Marsha), Listening to music, and you can even create your own programs. When Marsha is sitting across from me in a restaurant, I have them narrow their focus to just in front of me.
They aint cheap, but I got so tired of asking people to replete themselves that I think they are worth the money. Ours are not the rechargeable ones, but they audiologist provides free batteries for life.

Mike- What is the cost of one of these? My brother-in-law is almost totally deaf. He has bought so many hearing aids but none of them work!

Steve

 

[Dr. Ron]

I know you have had this problem for years Dave...good advice above. Whatever you decide, be sure to have your primary doctor involved.

 

[blackcoffeeblues]

Thanks Mike for the inside---it does sound like it might be a help to the problem---??? do you have to have a Smart Phone??? I don not have one, but if it comes to my hearing, it would be a small price to pay but I am not to savvy on new tech and t hey sound high-tech.

 

[MikeS]

Mike- What is the cost of one of these? My brother-in-law is almost totally deaf. He has bought so many hearing aids but none of them work!

Steve

They can't restore hearing that's completely gone, but they make the most of what you have left.
As I said they ain't cheap around $8k a pair. IF his hearing is as bad as you say, there may be better options. The technology has gotten MUCH better recently.

 

[blackcoffeeblues]

My last appointment got canceled so it was set for today---bottom line---Just what M.S. said hearing aides. My right ear 95%- my left ear 32%. One other thing was way out of norm in my right ear the decible level---She told me 60 was a normal conversation level--
at 60db my right ear was way over sensitive only being able to handle 40db comfortably any thing over that turned into a loud roar and I mean LOUD....she couldn't understand it---she was a young doctor (maybe in early to mid 30s) she had never seen it before.
The V.A. is paying for them and "PHONAK" was one of them and "OTICON" is a newer hearing aide out now that is suppose to be a little better and advanced over the "PHONAK" but more exspensive----however it requires a "Smart Phone" not mandatory but recommended. I think I will go with it seeing as how the V.A. is paying for it. Bring it on. Wonder if they will buy me a smart phone too?