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Suggest Treatment For Severe Tinnitus And Hearing Loss

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Posted on Tue, 18 Nov 2014
Question: I have such severe tinnitus from sudden hearing loss. Am under ENT care. Am to take
scheduled to take MRI today. In the meanwhile, the tinnitus is so severe it keeps me up at night. Having much difficulty in sleeping. My medical doctor put me on 0.25mg XANAX. Does not seem to be helping me. Is there any thing that can help relieve this
ringing until the Mri test has been completed. Please help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Tinnitus id not life threatening.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. The tinnitus is a result of your sudden hearing loss. Is this sudden hearing loss one sided or in both ears?

2. Sudden hearing loss (assuming the MRI is normal), has a 50% chance of spontaneous improvement. With the above treatment, any recovery will lead to a reduction of the tinnitus. DO you have the details of the injections in the ear?

3. Tinnitus is not a sign of any major illness in 99% cases. However the nuisance value and irritation from tinnitus is severe.

4. Use of hearing aids can help mask the tinnitus during the day if your hearing loss is moderate to severe. Upload your audiograms. Some hearing aids can mask tinnitus by emitting a broad band noise or XXXXXXX music.

5. HBOT (Hyper Baric Oxygen Therapy) may help. Caroverine (Tinnex) infusions may help but are not approved by the US FDA. Vasodilators (such as pentoxifylline) , neural protective agents (such as piracetam) and antiviral treatment (such as acyclovir) can be added.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (14 minutes later)
The hearing loss is only one ear (left) and I received two TYMPANIC steroid in
ear. Two shots one week apart.

No major improvement as a result of these shots. The tinnitus seems worse.
I am thinking of going to physco therapist for help to cope. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy.

This tinnitus has ruined my life and made a nervous wreck.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Add IV steroids, HBOT and other medication.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. ISSNHL (Idiopathic Sudden SensoriNeural Hearing Loss) usually is one sided and should improve with the above mentioned treatment. Discuss with your ENT Specialist to add these to your treatment, including high dose intravenous steroids (1 gm of methylprednisolone per day x 3-5 days). Lomodex (low molecular weight dextran) can also be used. This will require indoor admission.

2. As the ISSNHL improves, so will the tinnitus decrease.

3. CBT is given in all cases. It will reduce the distress and perception but cannot reduce the tinnitus itself.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)
None of what you recommended was offered by my ENT. Only oral prednisone and th e two injections. Do you think some, not expecting all my hearing will return, but what are the chances of some hearing returning. It's been about five or six weeks since I lost my hearing. Have you heard of biofeedback or neromonics?



doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes. Try all types of treatments.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. There is always a likelihood of spontaneous improvement. Some improvement leads to 'servicable' hearing (which can be managed with a hearing aid).

2. Try and discuss all these treatments with your ENT Specialist. Some of these are are included in the AAO-HNS (American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery) treatment guidelines for ISSNHL.

3.:Neuronomics is a type of tinnitus masking and neural stimulation (biofeedback) as mentioned above. It cannot cure tinnitus, but may make it bearable. These are non-invasive treatments. There is no harm in trying these out.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (8 hours later)
My audiologist recommended crossover hearing aid. Do you have any information on this type of hearing aid, or any that will help with the tinnitus and hearing loss.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, a hearing aid will help mask the tinnitus.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Any digital hearing aid will work, including the crossover type or a softband BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid).

2. These are not recommended so early in the treatment. In your case, the object is to mask the severe tinnitus.

3. An Audiogram will help decide the exact type. Upload an Audiogram.

If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2685 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Tinnitus And Hearing Loss

Brief Answer: Tinnitus id not life threatening. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. The tinnitus is a result of your sudden hearing loss. Is this sudden hearing loss one sided or in both ears? 2. Sudden hearing loss (assuming the MRI is normal), has a 50% chance of spontaneous improvement. With the above treatment, any recovery will lead to a reduction of the tinnitus. DO you have the details of the injections in the ear? 3. Tinnitus is not a sign of any major illness in 99% cases. However the nuisance value and irritation from tinnitus is severe. 4. Use of hearing aids can help mask the tinnitus during the day if your hearing loss is moderate to severe. Upload your audiograms. Some hearing aids can mask tinnitus by emitting a broad band noise or XXXXXXX music. 5. HBOT (Hyper Baric Oxygen Therapy) may help. Caroverine (Tinnex) infusions may help but are not approved by the US FDA. Vasodilators (such as pentoxifylline) , neural protective agents (such as piracetam) and antiviral treatment (such as acyclovir) can be added. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them. Regards.