mild hearing loss but terrible tinnitus

[themusicman]

I am a music producer that suffered a pressure related inner ear damage to my left ear on a hyperbaric dive.
Lost 10 db at 12k .Not a catastrophic loss but the tinnitus is unbearable.
This happened 8 weeks ago and in my opinion I have not been appropriately treated as of yet.
I am wondering if I should still try steroids or is my window of opportunity closed?
This is very negatively affecting my job and my life at home.Taking Klonopin to get through the day.
Thank You.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

Most knew jerk responses would be ....  get a hearing aid....  

They usually mask over the tinnitus.  But hearing aids do not amplify out to 12K Hz. So I don't think a hearing aid will do you any good. Seriously though, you could try one, the Resound Pulse or Delta by Oticon. I am sure someone would let you try one in the office, and if you wanted to trial it for 30 days I am sure they would let you do that too. But again, only a trial concept here, because really this is a punt for you.  I have used hearing aids on folks before with essentially normal hearing with tinnitus after head trauma with sucsess. Good luck to you.


If this is really bothering you...  As barb said, find a Tinnitus clinic. (not too many).

[barb131]

Call your ENT and see if there is a tennitis clinic near you; if nothing else, they can offer encouragement and have good advice from time to time.
Let us know how you do.

[Isaac Argan]

Dosent always help, but Betahistine is Used for Menieres/Tinnitus, initially 16mg three x a day.
I stopped that as I had No tinnitus. They don't really have many S/e.

[Isaac Argan]

60mg for 4 days, then 55mg for 3 days, then cut down 5mg daily to stop.

Took for 10 days..Actually they Made me Hyper, Couldn't sleep and Had to Exercise a Lot!!
I stopped, I felt like ****, Fatigued for 2 days, Red eyes. Then Okay.

I stopped as ENT said it was More Conductive Loss. I tried to Blow My Ears out, I think I did More Damage!!! Got tinnitus for 2 hours.

Finding Yawning Help, Maybe there is a element of conductive loss due to Eustachian tubes. ( I could not Blow out my Lefy ear i noticed).

Brisk Walking in Fresh air and Mild exercise seems to help a bit. Magnesium supplements are supposed to help nerves, so i'll continue those. I am just waiting for a Operation now. /stapendectomy

[themusicman]

What doseage were you on ?
What side effects and withdrawal did you get?

Thanks,  A.J.

[Isaac Argan]

It too Late for Steroids. They say First 2 weeks. I Tried Steroids after 2 Months. Made No difference. (+Had withdrawal Side effects for 2 days) I had a virus, So I Thought SSNHL, but later found out I need another stapendectomy anyway.

Obviously there was some damage to the ear, thats causing the tinnitus.
There are Tests they Can Do to Check Integrity of Eardrum, I guess. But Even then, they will Just Let Nature Heal Your Ear, and the tinnitus will slowly subside.
Sometimes Betahistine Help Improve Circulation in Ear.
Best to Wait and Avoid Loud Music For a while. I Know the Feeling, I Lost at least 20db in Left ear, It wasnt Good In the First Place and I Love Music, Its So Distressing Listening in Mono.  The Clonazepam should Help the Anxiety.