Help for Hearing Impairment

Savvy_Sue

But has the balance started or got worse since then? There are various investigations they can do - and you could ask if there is a 'dizzy physio' available, ie a physiotherapist who works on balance issues. I found that VERY helpful!

browniej

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

But has the balance started or got worse since then? There are various investigations they can do - and you could ask if there is a 'dizzy physio' available, ie a physiotherapist who works on balance issues. I found that VERY helpful!

It's exactly the same as far as dizziness goes. That was the reason I was referred to ENT. The consultant said he didn't feel I had a balance problem.


18 months later I still don't have an answer but still have the jaw pain, the sore upper teeth and the dizziness ( more like a light head feeling rather than actual dizzy ).

Savvy_Sue

browniej wrote: »

It's exactly the same as far as dizziness goes. That was the reason I was referred to ENT. The consultant said he didn't feel I had a balance problem.


18 months later I still don't have an answer but still have the jaw pain, the sore upper teeth and the dizziness ( more like a light head feeling rather than actual dizzy ).

Waves hopefully at brook2jack who might want to suggest a dental referral ... and tell you how to go about getting one! or may say that ENT's as good as. I don't know.

browniej

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Waves hopefully at brook2jack who might want to suggest a dental referral ... and tell you how to go about getting one! or may say that ENT's as good as. I don't know.

Any suggestion would be great now.

My upper left wisdom tooth is really sensitive these last few days. Anything hot or cold touching it is really painful.

Hear-Hear

browneij

I am struggling to find the BC thresholds (ie. the mastoid readings) in your post on 27 May. All I can see are the AC thresholds. Different 'rules of masking' apply to AC and BC, but from the AC thresholds you have listed, then AC masking would/should certainly have been done.

The 'balance' issue is one for the Consultant. You have been told it not a balance issue. Sometimes the medics get it wrong, so if you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you need to ask for a second opinion.

The teeth/jaw issue that you describe seems, on the face of it, outside the area of audiology. As Savvy_Sue suggests, you need a referral to a dentist (or possibly an orthodontist ?).

brook2jack

The symptoms you describe could very well be from bruxing (grinding or clenching teeth particularly at night).
Bruxing is entirely subconscious, is often related to stress , and results in massive pressure to the teeth and jaws.

Bruxing can be diagnosed by looking for wear on the teeth or clicking/pain in the jaw joint. Often there is a feeling of fullness around the ear and jaw.

A general dentist should be able to diagnose this and provide a night time wear gumshield which normally alleviates symptoms.

Unfortunately the jaw,ear and teeth are intimately related and pain/problems can be difficult to diagnose.

ENT are no good at this sort of problem and if necessary a dentist may suggest a refferal to maxillofacial specialist.

browniej

Hear-Hear wrote: »

browneij

I am struggling to find the BC thresholds (ie. the mastoid readings) in your post on 27 May.

I had said that the results from the mastoid followed my right ear results but perhaps I wasn't clear.

Basically the triangle symbols which apparently are b-c on Left mastoid read as follows;

45(500) - 40(1000) - 35(2000) - 30(3000) - 15(4000)

The 'balance' issue is one for the Consultant. You have been told it not a balance issue. Sometimes the medics get it wrong, so if you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you need to ask for a second opinion.

Having seen an ENT consultant, Cardiologist and Neurologist I'm not exaclty sure who to turn to next to be honest.

The teeth/jaw issue that you describe seems, on the face of it, outside the area of audiology. As Savvy_Sue suggests, you need a referral to a dentist (or possibly an orthodontist ?).

Dentist can find nothing wrong unfortunately.

browniej

brook2jack wrote: »

Bruxing can be diagnosed by looking for wear on the teeth or clicking/pain in the jaw joint. Often there is a feeling of fullness around the ear and jaw.

I think my dentist has tried to see if this is a problem as I do remember her getting me to move my jaw around.

Unfortunately the jaw,ear and teeth are intimately related and pain/problems can be difficult to diagnose.

She has certainly tried to get to the bottom of it. I've had root canal treatment done on an eye tooth which was eventually removed and which we hoped would solve the problem. She knows the wisdom tooth is highly sensitive and has said that it has a deep filling which may be irritating the nerve. Unfortunately she fears that its removal may be the answer but I am reluctant to lose yet another tooth in this area just in case it may sort it. If I knew it would then no problem but I fear it's a bit of guesswork.

ENT are no good at this sort of problem and if necessary a dentist may suggest a refferal to maxillofacial specialist.

Strangely enough this was the very first consultant I saw about 30 months ago when I was referred there after what my GP diagnosed as a blocked salivary gland on that left side. On my 1st visit they noted that the gland was running clear and I was just to monitor it. On my return visit I mentioned the jaw ache and the consultant did have a look at my teeth and movement of the jaw. He saw no problem there either.

The dizziness epsiode came about 6 months after that. I don't get the spinning sensation now but still have the light headedness feeling.

moneypenny2k

I have a moderately severe hearing loss and have been wearing oticon behind the ear hearing aids. I have been considering early retirement (at 53) as I'm having problems in class as I can't hear what my pupils are saying most of the time.

I went to see my audiologist today and he fitted my for new aids saying that they have the microphone or amplifier in the ear. I'm feeling a bit foolish now as I was more worried about not getting a parking ticket than finding out what kind of aids I'm being fitted for.

Can anyone shed more light on the possibilities?

Hear-Hear

browneij,

Ok, that's clearer now. You have an apparent air-bone gap in your left ear. With the differences between the air conduction thresholds and the bone conduction thresholds being so large, then the British Society of Audiology procedures require masking to be carried out. If the testing was done by a private audiologist, and masking was not carried out, then this is a serious breach. So serious in fact that a complaint to the Health Professions Council (the regulatory body) would almost certainly lead to a Fitness to Practice hearing for the audiologist concerned.

If it was an NHS test, the same regulations do not apply, but you have the right to speak with the Senior Audiologist who must advise you of the outcome of any investigation made.

moneypenny2k

Not sure what you mean by "microphone or amplifier in the ear". As for possibilities, if you are being dealt with privately, your audiologist should explain all the options that are available to you, and if there is anything you didn't understand, you will have been given an appointment for a face-to-face follow-up, which takes place between 2 and 6 weeks of your fitting. This is a legal requirement in the private sector.

If you have been fitted by the NHS, you are unlikely to have had options, so there are unlikely to be "possibilities" for you to explore. However, you should certainly request a follow-up appointment to discuss any concerns about "what kind of aids" you have.