Unilateral Deafness With Hearing Loss In Serviceable Ear

[arushi1]

Recently I had an Audiogram showing mild hearing loss in the right ear, my only serviceable ear.  Four months prior the test was within normal range for hearing.  I am deaf in my left ear due to an Acoustic Neuroma surgically removed over 2.5 years ago.  I have nystagmus, I experience oscillopsia, I have had ECOG and ABR testing which showed negative for Meniers Disease, ENG showed nystagmus consistent with the surgery, but couldn't rule out CNS problem?  Whatever that meant.  I have tinnitus constantly in my right (serviceable) ear, and at times, feelings of fullness, water clogged, pressure changes, pulsing sound, loud knocking noise.  I am able to walk outside for 30 minutes before I feel as though my legs will give out and fall backwards, recently, I experience the sensation of being very tall (or everything in my view is moving away/down from me).  I am very worried as I do not want to lose my hearing altogether and am wondering what this could be. Any help would be appreciated.

[arushi1]

Thank you for your responses.  Yes, I experience what I term "chronic vertigo" that worsens with strenuous activity, but I guess this too is "consistent with surgery".  My audiograms are done with the same facility, so no discrepency there.  I am due for my MR scan in December which will rule out (although rare) tumor growing on other side.  Recently at a symposium on acoustic neuromas I met up with a woman dx NF2 where her 2nd tumor did not show until three years after surgery to remove schwannoma, this is called mosaic NF2.  A California sugeon gave a talk about vertigo said he would suspect another tumor or something else going on in good ear.  I have been to a neurologist (assistant professor to local University, with his background how can one go wrong?) in my town one year ago where he told me my symptoms are stress related seek psych counsel!?  By the way, I am a yoga instructor so have a good understanding of stress related issues and practice meditation/breath exercises daily.  I disagreed with his dx and sought out ENT and neurotologist that came up with recent dx.  Unfortunately, I will never go back to the neurotologist as he was unprofessional and totally out of line (husband was witness).  He needs anger management in my opinion, another doctor told me to report him to the AMA, but I have never pursued this avenue as feel it futile.  I have reached my limit with "professionals" and am "gun shy" about searching out more/new ones.  I felt posting here I might come up with other avenues to seek out as two heads are better than one.  I will consider your comments seriously, again thank you.  

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

"Recently I had an Audiogram showing mild hearing loss in the right ear, my only serviceable ear.  Four months prior the test was within normal range for hearing. "

Did you get tested at the same faciltiy? I ask because calibration may be off etc. That would explain the difference in the results.

"I am deaf in my left ear due to an Acoustic Neuroma surgically removed over 2.5 years ago.  I have nystagmus, I experience oscillopsia,"

I would expect that, this is normal for anyone with these issues.


" I have had ECOG and ABR testing which showed negative for Meniers Disease, "


ECOG testing is really useless, poor normative data, and it is a wonderment as to why the test is even done in the first place. ABR for Menieres, truth is I don't think this is standard procedure for menieres, I have never done one. Although, ECOG is essentially an ABR so maybe this is what is going on. Now back to ECOG.... that test is commonly ordered for menieres, but again it is a poor study.

"ENG showed nystagmus consistent with the surgery, but couldn't rule out CNS problem?  Whatever that meant. "


It means that whenever they did a caloric irrigation, there was probably no response, that is because the vestibular nerve has been damaged, severed etc during the tumor removal. ENG have a "hit rate" of about 40%, meaning you could flip a coin and diagnose yourself based upon that with better odds.

" I have tinnitus constantly in my right (serviceable) ear, and at times, feelings of fullness, water clogged, pressure changes, pulsing sound, loud knocking noise.  I am able to walk outside for 30 minutes before I feel as though my legs will give out and fall backwards, recently, I experience the sensation of being very tall (or everything in my view is moving away/down from me).  I am very worried as I do not want to lose my hearing altogether and am wondering what this could be. Any help would be appreciated. "


You my friend, in my opinion, are well beyond the abilities of your small town ENT. You need to go to a neurotologist, or neruologist & get an MRI.  That is my opinion.

[Nancy T]

What does your neurotologist think may be causing the problem? Has he/she recommended any treatment?

The sensation of distorted proportion of things can be a migraine aura. (There are all types of strange phenomena with migraine auras.) Migraine can cause ear problems, but I'm not sure about the ones you are describing.

Have you seen a neurologist to rule out CNS (central nervous system) problems?

Do you have dizziness or wooziness?

Nancy T.