[Hallicrafters] Tinnitus and hearing loss

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike" <mikeqrpfun at aol.com>
To: <hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 6:13 PM
Subject: [Hallicrafters] Tinnitus and hearing loss


> Terry (et al),
> I agree fully with all the recommendations from our fine 
> members. I especially agree with Duane to see an ENT. Do 
> this IMMEDIATELY!!  Based on my experience you should plan 
> on seeing two or more ENTs. Here is my reasoning...Pardon 
> my lengthy response but it is critical.
>
> I am now virtually deaf in both ears!! My hearing loss 
> started innocently enough as simple minor tinnitus 
> (ringing of the ears). Normal 1960's and 70's music but 
> nothing regular. Primary care doc was absolutely clueless 
> even after reporting it for 2 years ahead of major 
> trouble.
>
> Finally, after experiencing a sudden overnight hearing 
> loss of 10 dB in 2007 in one ear at age 54 did my doc 
> refer me to an ENT. That ENT completely misdiagnosed it as 
> "normal". I got a second opinion along with the battery of 
> tests (good stuff) mentioned earlier. All negative. Got 
> hearing aids. Bang!! A year later 10 dB loss in the other 
> ear. Hmmmm something going on here. Referral to world 
> renown University hearing center. More tests including CT. 
> No conclusions, just suspicions of "Cochlear Hydrops". Two 
> steroid injections through the ear drums (ouch!) and mild 
> diuretics. Continued hearing loss while 24/7 tinnitus 
> became louder.
>
> Finally after retiring out of state I visited another 
> renown Ear Institute after a third sudden hearing loss a 
> year later. FINALLY after 3 years I got I a diagnosis of 
> Ménière's Disease with irreparable damage to both inner 
> ears. One surgery on the worst ear to maintain what 
> hearing I had left. So far so good. Bang!! Sudden hearing 
> loss in the other ear followed by same surgery. To date so 
> far so good however despite multiple hearing high tech 
> hearing aids with Bluetooth connectivity to phone and TV 
> and a remote lapel mic;
>
> 1) 70 to 100 dB amplitude loss in both ears
> 2)  speech discrimination is crap in both ears especially 
> in noisy areas
> 3) can't listen to music since it sounds out of tune
> 4) almost impossible to listen to ham radio (SSB). Tough 
> after 40 years of fun. I
> 5) list goes on ....
>
> Luckily no further degradation. Thank God I discovered 
> PSK31 otherwise I'd be off the air for good!
>
> Bottom line: had I been accurately diagnosed earlier and 
> been prescribed the strong diuretics I currently take, my 
> hearing might be much better.
>
> Only the inner ears of birds repair themselves. Humans are 
> not as lucky so get tested NOW and don't be complacent 
> with your first diagnosis as I did.
>
> Contact me off line for more specifics if interested.
>
> 73,
>
> Mike
> WB6UTW
>
     There is a pretty good article on  Ménière's Disease at 
wikipedia.  I wonder if the place that finally diagnosed you 
was House Ear here in Los Angeles, they are world famous.
      FWIW I don't  have Menieres (they looked for it) but 
have a similar sort of hearing loss.  Music sounds distorted 
and off key. Its like listening to a very cheap radio with 
the volume all the way up except that it happens at all 
levels.  I also have problems with speech discrimination. My 
hearing aids help but don't entirly fix it.  I still have a 
lot of trouble where there is any background noise. I am, 
however still able to listen to SSB and to CW.   When my 
tinnitus began my GP, who is very good, sent me to a 
specialist with a Phd no less).  I had all sorts of tests 
but the final answer was that nothing could be done.  The 
audiogram I had at the time was pronounced normal for 
someone my age.  The hearing loss developed gradually. It 
affects both ears about the same.  I didn't realize how bad 
it had gotten until I had my ears tested for hearing aids. 
One problem with a fairly sever hearing loss is that your 
brain begins to ignore your ears.  This in on the order of 
"lazy eye".  Also, people will stop talking to you if you 
have too much trouble hearing them.
     Tinnitus should NEVER be ignored especially since it 
can be a sign of serious illness as pointed out in this 
post.
      What disturbs me is that beyond some elementary things 
such as sustained exposure to loud sounds no one seems to 
know what causes deafness or tinnitus.  My ENT thinks its 
often genetic, perhaps so.
     As a rule of thumb any sound that is loud enough to 
require people to raise their voices to be understood at 
normal speaking distances will cause hearing damage if 
sustained for any length of time.


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
dickburk at ix.netcom.com