Hearing loss?

[Missy Mouse]

I just got back from my audiology appointment and I have moderate conductive hearing loss in my left ear. I failed everything below 60 decibels. I have had trouble with it for a long time but assumed it was from TMJ. It always feels blocked and attempting to pop it never works. I have to go to my ENT Wednesday. The audiologist said it's originating somewhere behind the eardrum and the only thing she could confirm is that it's not from wax build-up. I'mg glad I went because since last night I've had this strange fluttering in my ear that I can actually hear. It's the sound your ear makes when it's popping but only it's very rapid and continuous. I thought I might be going crazy but I'm relieved it's not in my head.

Now the question remains to be figured out, what is going on and why is it happening? Anyone have experience with conductive hearing loss? What ended up being the reason?

 

[Missy Mouse]

bump bump.

 

[golfgal]

Here is how up I am on my own hearing loss, I am not sure what "kind" I have but I have it mostly in the upper registers, higher pitches, about 50% loss in both ears. Basically I went through many, many tests and they couldn't find a cause so they figured it was something genetic. It has been at the same % of loss for 11 years which is good. I have constant ringing in my ears which my hearing aids help mask but in a quite room I can hear it. It doesn't bother me too much unless I am trying to hear over it, which I can't anyway .

Chances are you will have an MRI, CT Scan and maybe some blood work and other tests. TMJ can cause hearing loss at times as can a number of other things. My suggestion is to find the best ENT you can and start from there.

 

[Missy Mouse]

Here is how up I am on my own hearing loss, I am not sure what "kind" I have but I have it mostly in the upper registers, higher pitches, about 50% loss in both ears. Basically I went through many, many tests and they couldn't find a cause so they figured it was something genetic. It has been at the same % of loss for 11 years which is good. I have constant ringing in my ears which my hearing aids help mask but in a quite room I can hear it. It doesn't bother me too much unless I am trying to hear over it, which I can't anyway .

Chances are you will have an MRI, CT Scan and maybe some blood work and other tests. TMJ can cause hearing loss at times as can a number of other things. My suggestion is to find the best ENT you can and start from there.

Thank you for sharing! I think mine is the opposite - I can't hear low tones. I also get the tinnitus at least once or twice a week, mostly when laying down in bed. I always try to pop my ear because it feels blocked, but have never been able to.

 

[golfgal]

Thank you for sharing! I think mine is the opposite - I can't hear low tones. I also get the tinnitus at least once or twice a week, mostly when laying down in bed. I always try to pop my ear because it feels blocked, but have never been able to.

I know I have negative pressure in my ear, same as you, felt like I had to pop my ear. I thought I had an ear infection and that is what started the hearing loss discovery for me. I looked up the difference and at least with the conductive loss there is a possibility of regaining your hearing, mine is permanent.

 

[ImMarcik]

I only have 20% hearing in my right ear. I can not hear the phone or whispers or my ipod headset in this ear. I've had an MRI and other tests on it, it's irreversible. It goes back to when a firecracker popped in my ear as a child. My left ear is fine. But, one time in college I got an ear infection that I ignored for 2 or 3 days and went running in the cold. Next thing I knew I could not hear at all in my college classes. My right ear is already bad and my left was sooo stopped up. So, I went to the dr who immediately referred me to an ENT because my eardrum was about to burst. He had to poke a hole in it and drain out all of the fluid. This was VERY painful. But it worked, I could hear again. And, I sure did learn a lesson about ignoring earaches. I'm supposed to wear a hearing aid in my right ear, per the ENT & Audiologist but I've just never gotten one. My DH lectures me all the time. As long as he's talking to me on the left side I'm fine.

 

[Missy Mouse]

I only have 20% hearing in my right ear. I can not hear the phone or whispers or my ipod headset in this ear. I've had an MRI and other tests on it, it's irreversible. It goes back to when a firecracker popped in my ear as a child. My left ear is fine. But, one time in college I got an ear infection that I ignored for 2 or 3 days and went running in the cold. Next thing I knew I could not hear at all in my college classes. My right ear is already bad and my left was sooo stopped up. So, I went to the dr who immediately referred me to an ENT because my eardrum was about to burst. He had to poke a hole in it and drain out all of the fluid. This was VERY painful. But it worked, I could hear again. And, I sure did learn a lesson about ignoring earaches. I'm supposed to wear a hearing aid in my right ear, per the ENT & Audiologist but I've just never gotten one. My DH lectures me all the time. As long as he's talking to me on the left side I'm fine.

Is your hearing loss sensorineural? The audiologist couldn't really tell me anything. I have to follow up with my doctor on Wednesday. My boyfriend gets frustrated because he has to repeat himself constantly around me, especially if he's on my left side. It just sounds like a bunch of mumbles to me. I just can't figure out what has caused it. I hope it can still be reversed. Do you get earaches frequently as an adult?

 

[golfgal]

Is your hearing loss sensorineural? The audiologist couldn't really tell me anything. I have to follow up with my doctor on Wednesday. My boyfriend gets frustrated because he has to repeat himself constantly around me, especially if he's on my left side. It just sounds like a bunch of mumbles to me. I just can't figure out what has caused it. I hope it can still be reversed. Do you get earaches frequently as an adult?

THAT DRIVES ME NUTS!! DH is famous for talking to me as he walks out of a room and then gets mad if I don't hear him, well tough cookies honey, I can't understand you even WITH my hearing aids!

Just a warning, hearing aids are VERY expensive and WON'T be covered by any insurance. It is worth the money to get the digital hearing aids. Plan on spending at least $2500 for each aid, more if you want it completely in your ear canal. Batteries run about a $1/piece and last between 4 days and 2 weeks depending on the size--less time for smaller ones.

 

[wheeler1]

Hi Missy,

I have a hereditary condition called otosclerosis. It affects both of my ears and I have lost most of my hearing as a result.

The symptoms you have mentioned are exactly how I first discovered my problem. Come to find out, my mother has very little hearing in one of her ears but the other is fine.

It is a problem with the stapes bone in my middle ear. Over time, calcium type deposits are causing this itty bitty bone to become rigid, preventing sound waves to travel appropriately.

It does affect the "low" tones, I have constanst ringing in my ears as a result. There is a GREAT surgery with a high success rate, I have had it in my right ear so far. They took out the stapes (remember the hammer, anvil and stirrup from bio class) this would be the stirrup! And replaced it with a piece of titanium or tephlon LOL, cant remember which!

Anyway, i can hear much better in one ear now! Has made a huge difference.

Anyway, I dont mean to prattle on, if you should find yourself facing this same condition, I would be glad to pass on my email to you if you have any questions or just want to vent.

Good luck with this. I know first hand how awful it is to not be able to hear...It can quickly degenerate into a very stressful situation. And being young and seemingly in perfect health, its hard for people to believe sometimes...

 

[LBAK]

I have nerve damage from childhood in my right ear. I only have 5% hearing in that ear. It hasn't effected me much as I learned to lip read early on. The worst thing for me is the phone. There are heavy phones at my job and I can never switch ears. My left ear has made up for a lot of my hearing it's phenomenal. At least when my DH snores I can lay on my good ear and can't hear him too much!

 

[Missy Mouse]

Hi Missy,

I have a hereditary condition called otosclerosis. It affects both of my ears and I have lost most of my hearing as a result.

The symptoms you have mentioned are exactly how I first discovered my problem. Come to find out, my mother has very little hearing in one of her ears but the other is fine.

It is a problem with the stapes bone in my middle ear. Over time, calcium type deposits are causing this itty bitty bone to become rigid, preventing sound waves to travel appropriately.

It does affect the "low" tones, I have constanst ringing in my ears as a result. There is a GREAT surgery with a high success rate, I have had it in my right ear so far. They took out the stapes (remember the hammer, anvil and stirrup from bio class) this would be the stirrup! And replaced it with a piece of titanium or tephlon LOL, cant remember which!

Anyway, i can hear much better in one ear now! Has made a huge difference.

Anyway, I dont mean to prattle on, if you should find yourself facing this same condition, I would be glad to pass on my email to you if you have any questions or just want to vent.

Good luck with this. I know first hand how awful it is to not be able to hear...It can quickly degenerate into a very stressful situation. And being young and seemingly in perfect health, its hard for people to believe sometimes...

I researched this condition. It was mentioned to me yesterday by the audiologist as a possible cause. The more I read the more I believe this could really be the reason I'm losing my hearing. I have ALL of the symptoms. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. It's good to know there are options out there to treat it though.

 

[Missy Mouse]

At least when my DH snores I can lay on my good ear and can't hear him too much!

 

[wheeler1]

Good luck tomorrow!

I can also highly recommend Dr. David Vernick at Beth Israel if and when you get to the point of needing a specialist. He is head of otolaryngology there and really knows his stuff!

I remember one of the operating room nurses quietly telling me how respected he is and that I really couldnt have picked a better Doctor.

And, he really is very nice!

Let us know if you find anything out!

 

[Missy Mouse]

Good luck tomorrow!

I can also highly recommend Dr. David Vernick at Beth Israel if and when you get to the point of needing a specialist. He is head of otolaryngology there and really knows his stuff!

I remember one of the operating room nurses quietly telling me how respected he is and that I really couldnt have picked a better Doctor.

And, he really is very nice!

Let us know if you find anything out!

Thank you very much for the suggestion. I see Tom Costello in Woburn but depending on the results I may go for a second opinion. It's always good to get recommendations because I don't know anyone in this area.