New here with a few questions..

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Avalynn80

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I am wondering if anyone has heard of similar stories like mine.

I am a frequent migraine sufferer, a while back I had a terrible migraine, but this one was different, no aura, no sensitivity to light sound or smell, just a splitting headache with a twist, a high pitched ringing in my ears. I suffered through this migraine for about 4 hours (shortest in a long time) and while the migraine had subsided, the ringing didn't. Then I was hit with a terrible case of vertigo when I went to get up, sent me straight for the bathroom (as I am prone to pretty bad motion sickness). Even with the vertigo and ringing I was managing to function, within a few hours I felt as though every time I spoke I had my head underwater screaming everything I was saying. Again I just put it off as a side effect of my migraine. As the day wore on I could hear less and less, it wasn't until my husband and son told me that I was talking strange, that I decided to go to the ER.. They did a neurological exam on me, a cat scan (both normal) at one point I think the DR thought I was drunk because he gave me a breathalizer (mind you I was stumbling around and slurring my speech.) I was sent home with Antivert, Mucinnex D. (even though Dr said I was clear as a whistle) also put me on a water pill. So here I am today hearing less than I could before, hardly able to hear my own voice inside my head, the vertigo medication is helping a little, but the ringing is worse than ever. I am scheduling an appointment with my general practitioner so she can give me an exam and order an MRI. Truth is I am scared I have children who are getting frustrated with mommy not being able to hear them, read to them (can't concentrate with the salvation army bell ringer in my head) I haven't slept in days. anyway that's my story hope someone can point me in the right direction.
 
Wow. I seriously feel for you there.

What you have going on with the ringing is known as "tinnitus" but not all tinnitus is the same. The lack of balance, feeling off kilter or dizzy is known as a VESTIBULAR IMBALANCE which is caused by the inner ear.

Now, as the nerves degrade, either in the cochlea or in the nerve stem connection it will make a "hissing" or "ringing" or "tone" which is often high in pitch. This tone is actually not generated by the cochlea, pressure nor the nerves themselves, rather it's much like an old television with no antenna making a horrific static sound and displaying popcorn on the screen.

Your brain is "searching" for sound and naturally generates a sound according to the frequency that is normal for your body, much like different computers use processors all running different frequencies but all capable of displaying and broadcasting and receiving the same information in the same format. Your brain, much like a computer is unique, thus the pitch of the tinnitus will be different from person to person.

You likely have a problem in the inner ear where your body's balance system is. I am not a doctor, but seriously, I recommend getting checked for MENINGITIS, which is a deadly disease that attacks the nerve system. A hyperbaric chamber, lots of Vitamin D3, B12, and WATER is the closest you will get to an actual cure. Triggering your body to rebuild itself and giving it the tools to do such are the best you can do. Modern medicine operates on the "Kill them all, let God sort it out" when it comes to infections, and leads down a very steep and dangerous road. Many have died and few have made it out to tell the tell.

Vascular constriction is a high cause of migraines, as it restricts blood flow to the brain, the result is that the brain starts shutting off sensory inputs, and the more you fight it, the more it hurts because you try to keep functioning and ignoring it. Your body was trying to tell you something and you need to listen.

I know people who have vestibular imbalances, and their life became an utter nightmare.

I have a lot of information about this, and though I totally have no trust in doctors, do seek help, sooner is better.

-Chris
 
Thanks Chris,

Funny thing is I was checked for Meningitis today.. spinal tap.. very uncomfortable. I have another appt with my GP tomorrow. She is thinking Menier's Disease, so spent the day on the internet and now I am for sure I am just going to die.. lol internet is not your friend if you have a handful of symptoms that can lead to a million diagnosis.. As of today the ringing is unbearable and I only hear pieces of what I am saying. I get aggrevated and confused just by trying to hold a conversation where I cant hear them can't hear myself, and have to compete with the ringing inside my head. I really don't know how hearing people who suffer from sudden adult hearing loss cope.. my world is too quiet, last night I could see my sons lips saying " I love you Mommy, Goodnight" but I couldn't hear the sweet voice that went with it :( I even miss the sound of my husband snoring.. Thanks for responding..

Melissa
 
Sounds like mieneres to me :/ which a lot of people do live with although it is a pain! I would suggest also getting a hearing test done by an audiologist and visit an ear nose throat doctor. I have roaring tinnitus as well and it started at age 16 as well as a mild hearing loss which is now severe profound so I get where you're coming from. I would definitely go to the Audi for a full hearing test. Sometimes even allergies can cause hearing loss and migraines ...hopefully it goes away soon! *fingers crossed*
 
Melissa,

I went from hearing to 100% deaf in just 3 days. Knowing that I will never hear my wife say "I love you" is not the biggest worry in life.

Bigger worries come with time. You'll understand what I mean in a year, unfortunately.

I have perfect cochlea, but no bones nor drums. Roaring tinnitus 24/7 is what I deal with.

Your body can cope in more ways than one. When doing things like diagnosing and tuning engines, I go by feel and vibration. My body can detect vibrations more now than I ever did when I was hearing. I can feel footsteps and figure out distance on wooden floors, and my rib cage feels loud vibrations such as the closing of a door or people banging stuff around.

Your body will "hear" all that your ears cannot. Be willing to listen.

As for your fear of death, I can only say that nobody makes it out of here alive. So I eagerly look for the grim reaper every day and stare him down and laugh.

-Chris
 
Had my first hearing test yesterday which showed severe hearing loss, Frequency 500 no response L or R, 1000 @ 60 db both ears, 2000 @ 60 db both ears 4000 no response from right 60 db on left, my Dr made me an emergency appointment with an ENT for today. She also believes its Menier's. Everything I reado online says vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss should fluctuate but I notice no change. Oh well, will find out more today, hopefully.. then who knows maybe my hubby and I can take some ASL classes together.. (his idea) Thanks for the info and support everyone.
 
Well at least you're on the road to a diagnosis! Being deaf isn't the end of the world! ASL is good for the whole family and hearing aids or CI would help with the hearing part. Don't know what you do for a living and if you rely on your hearing for it but there are options! I would for sure try to learn some ASL and look into deaf products for around your home if your Audi thinks your loss is permanent. There are lots of things like deaf alarm clocks, phones, alert systems, etc
 
I am a firefighter/EMT I don't know if I will be able to do my job because it is important to "listen" to your patient, their breathing, and other vitals. not to mention ask them about their situation.. Went to an ENT specialist friday and he is saying 50% loss on the left and 70% on the right.. I didn't think hearing was measured in percentages, I thought it was db, anyway he put me on an antiviral, steroids, and said see ya in 11 days if this doesn't fix it we will go from there. I am not sure I like him because even though I explained I couldn't hear him he insisted in talking in a very low monotone voice all the time. frustrating because my hubby had to explain everything after the visit! Anyway thanks for the support!!
 
I feel like almost all ENT's are like that ...audiologists are more sympathetic about a loss than ENTs are ...also you're right they aren't explained in percentages..if you have a copy of your audio gram and post it I can help you better decipher is or anyone else here can or even online resources! I think it's pretty important to understand your own audio gram! As for your profession I totally get it! I was in nursing mad just dropped out due to my loss and not beig able to auscultate :( I am awaiting on approval for a cochlear implant for my right side so I can hear better than with my hearing aids
 
Avalynn80 said:
I am a firefighter/EMT I don't know if I will be able to do my job because it is important to "listen" to your patient, their breathing, and other vitals. not to mention ask them about their situation.. Went to an ENT specialist friday and he is saying 50% loss on the left and 70% on the right.. I didn't think hearing was measured in percentages, I thought it was db, anyway he put me on an antiviral, steroids, and said see ya in 11 days if this doesn't fix it we will go from there. I am not sure I like him because even though I explained I couldn't hear him he insisted in talking in a very low monotone voice all the time. frustrating because my hubby had to explain everything after the visit! Anyway thanks for the support!!
Click to expand...

I am really sorry your going thru all this. I lost all my "perfect" hearing overnight last May. Sudden hearing loss throws you into a world of the unknown. Our ability to communicate for now is gone. I also suffer from horrific tinnitus and actually for me that is far worse then being deaf.

It sounds like you have a loving family with a very supportive spouse. For me, it was a necessity to have my spouse at every appointment. He would and still writes things down for me and tells the doctors to slow down and talk to me. But at this point I feel it is more important to get the informatiin correct.

Juat know you are not alone. I believe there are a few of us on this site who lost our hearing "traumatically" (suddenly). I pray you get the help you need and that your hearing loss is not permanent.

Learning ASL (American Sign Language) is a plus for you and your family. Try Lifeprint.com and aslpro.com. These two sites can teach you how to fingerspell and most of the basic words you need right now.

I hope you find an answer and some relief very soon.

If you need to talk to someone just send me a message.

Angel
 
Thank you Angel,

I just went back for my follow up appointment with my ENT my hearing test showed no changes.. :( Dr. Ordered an MRI to rule out tumors but says that's just a precaution. I am becoming more and more frustrated with my family and friends.. They treat me as if my hearing loss has made me in some way "retarded" for lack of a better word. AAAAHHHHHGGGGG I am going insane.. no diagnosis, no prognosis, no clue.. want to crawl in a hole.. I am still trying to hold on to that glimmer of hope but it seems as if everything is trying to pull it from my grasp.. I know I can do this.. I know I am strong enough to succeed in spite of this.. I just feel so lost as to where to start..

anyway thanks for listening to a woman on the brink of insanity.. Have a great night/day whatever lmao..
 
Bottesini said:
No steroids?
Click to expand...


Yes they had me taking quite a few medications one happened to be prednisone which I believe is a steroid. I am sorry if you believe I am obsessing, but honestly my hearing was a major part of who I was.. I feel like I have lost my best friend. When I am depressed I listen to music, when I am happy I sing.. when I need to vent I talk and talk and talk.. being deaf isn't a bad thing.. It is just not who I am used to being.. so yes I am a little upset, 32 years of who I am just took a violent shove into who I was.. Now I need to find me again!
 
Bottesini said:
No steroids?
Click to expand...

Avalynn80 said:
Yes they had me taking quite a few medications one happened to be prednisone which I believe is a steroid. I am sorry if you believe I am obsessing, but honestly my hearing was a major part of who I was.. I feel like I have lost my best friend. When I am depressed I listen to music, when I am happy I sing.. when I need to vent I talk and talk and talk.. being deaf isn't a bad thing.. It is just not who I am used to being.. so yes I am a little upset, 32 years of who I am just took a violent shove into who I was.. Now I need to find me again!
Click to expand...

:P Where do you find all that implied criticism in my two words??

I was just trying to find out if you had a decent doctor as that is always the first treatment for SSNHL .

I am all for returning the hearing of the late deafened!! As quickly as possible...
 
Avalynn80 said:
I am wondering if anyone has heard of similar stories like mine.

I am a frequent migraine sufferer, a while back I had a terrible migraine, but this one was different, no aura, no sensitivity to light sound or smell, just a splitting headache with a twist, a high pitched ringing in my ears. I suffered through this migraine for about 4 hours (shortest in a long time) and while the migraine had subsided, the ringing didn't. Then I was hit with a terrible case of vertigo when I went to get up, sent me straight for the bathroom (as I am prone to pretty bad motion sickness). Even with the vertigo and ringing I was managing to function, within a few hours I felt as though every time I spoke I had my head underwater screaming everything I was saying. Again I just put it off as a side effect of my migraine. As the day wore on I could hear less and less, it wasn't until my husband and son told me that I was talking strange, that I decided to go to the ER.. They did a neurological exam on me, a cat scan (both normal) at one point I think the DR thought I was drunk because he gave me a breathalizer (mind you I was stumbling around and slurring my speech.) I was sent home with Antivert, Mucinnex D. (even though Dr said I was clear as a whistle) also put me on a water pill. So here I am today hearing less than I could before, hardly able to hear my own voice inside my head, the vertigo medication is helping a little, but the ringing is worse than ever. I am scheduling an appointment with my general practitioner so she can give me an exam and order an MRI. Truth is I am scared I have children who are getting frustrated with mommy not being able to hear them, read to them (can't concentrate with the salvation army bell ringer in my head) I haven't slept in days. anyway that's my story hope someone can point me in the right direction.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's scary!

I hope you get more testing. In addition to the hearing problems, there could be something else going on with your body that could be even more serious. The doctors really need to find out what's going on.
 
Avalynn80 said:
Yes they had me taking quite a few medications one happened to be prednisone which I believe is a steroid. I am sorry if you believe I am obsessing, but honestly my hearing was a major part of who I was.. I feel like I have lost my best friend. When I am depressed I listen to music, when I am happy I sing.. when I need to vent I talk and talk and talk.. being deaf isn't a bad thing.. It is just not who I am used to being.. so yes I am a little upset, 32 years of who I am just took a violent shove into who I was.. Now I need to find me again!
Click to expand...
Ugh, Prednisone. I was on that for almost a full three years. In finally weaned off of it over a year ago. I'm glad that they didn't keep you on that for a long time.
 
Bottesini said:
No steroids?
Click to expand...

Actually I will apologize, I read your signature (somewhat offensive at this time) as part of your post. I understand how some who are born deaf can look at adult deafness as nothing more than an inconvenience because like you say it is part of who they are.. but just like a person born with the ability to walk and becomes suddenly paralyzed, it is not the end of the world it is an adjustment. I am sorry that my stress cause me to bite.. usually I am just a nibbler.. :) I am much more sensitive than I usually am..
 
Avalynn80 said:
Actually I will apologize, I read your signature (somewhat offensive at this time) as part of your post. I understand how some who are born deaf can look at adult deafness as nothing more than an inconvenience because like you say it is part of who they are.. but just like a person born with the ability to walk and becomes suddenly paralyzed, it is not the end of the world it is an adjustment. I am sorry that my stress cause me to bite.. usually I am just a nibbler.. :) I am much more sensitive than I usually am..
Click to expand...

It's ok.
 
Well I haven't been back since I got a good reaming by a Deaf person about my deaf problem, anyway I got my hearing aids today and to be honest I am so glad they are removable, I learned to love my world of "silence", however never got past the communication part or my love of music. So now I am a happy deaf person with the ability to hear when she wants or needs, now mind you hearing aids are not perfect, and they never will be, my spondee today was 30%, but my audi said give hearing again some time, your brain may have simply forgotten some sounds, so we will keep following up, where I live you have to have a spondee of 50% or higher to do my job firefighter/emt. Well just checking in.. :)
 
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