Started with a high-pitch ringing occasionally, then it became constant. Then I noticed a sharp decline in my ability to understand what people were saying in normal conversation. Then at a gig over Labor Day, I found that I was unable to hear anything but distorted mush coming through the sound system and I knew my "good" ear had finally given out. I called my ENT over at Baylor - he was TOO BUSY to see me for several weeks. In a panic, I called my regular doctor. He gave me a shot of steroid in the arm, and sent me to another ENT. The steroid shot saved my next gig, an outdoor job that weekend. I could hear well enough to play normally. But then it got worse. Now everything I hear is distorted and midrangy. My steel sounds awful no matter how I tweak the volume or the eq. My 6 six string sounds out of tune, even when the strobe tuner says it is spot on. So... I've got all that going for me. In the meantime, the new ENT says it is likely that I'm gone bilateral and I should be considering hearing aids and balance therapy... What to do, what to do..? I've got 2 more gigs lined up this month, and I am hoping for a miracle. I'm still doing the JOH, I've cut my caffeine intake to about 1/3 cup coffee daily - no more. I'm not eating wheat, I watch my salt. Who else is bilateral...? What can I do to mitigate this awful sounding mush? My right ear is still worse, but that is of little consequence now... Thanks, jmc
Personally, if the steroid shot helped...I would lean towards asking them for a full course of pred pills (with the taper down dose of course).
Maybe consider intratypanic steriod injections as well. I myself went for a kenalog injection in the arm Very strong and stays in your body for a year. Some get relief for months at a time. Allowed To get 3x yearly. infectious disease docs are the ones Who normally carry kenalog ,Good luck
imasteeler - Have you ever tried allergy shots? The fact that the steroid shot in your arm helped might be an indication that allergies played a role in this latest flare up. Allergy shots aren't an overnight remedy by any means, but they can help. Sorry to hear you've gone bilateral. I went bilateral about 14 years ago, and I'm still doing my thing ... for what it's worth. I do have to wear HAs when my symptoms are bad, but every now and then they're not necessary (I still have permanent loss, but there are times when I can get by without them). Lisa - I thought kenalog was for joint inflammation? Interesting that people get positive results regarding MD.
Gla I actually got the kenalog injection Years back because I couldn't get off afrin lol It opened my nasal passages immediately And helped me breathe without the afrin I Learned that it helps severe allergies As well, so continued getting every spring For a few years. I now need for a back injury So I can only get 3x yearly and need to save In case my back acts up, bu I did it for The mm and got complete relief for 5 Weeks , some can get much longer results
Hi all: my dentist says I don't show any specific signs of TMJD - i.e., the wear and tear on my teeth is normal for a man my age (59). I did have a bunch of silver fillings in my teeth from when I was younger - these have all been replaced over the years. Same for allergies - there are just no other symptoms present that are consistent with allergies in any way. This flare-up came on about the same time we had our bi-annual weather shift in Houston. Twice a year, the humidity goes way down and it is just spectacular in the day, up till about 1 PM. I'm going to ask about the kenalog on my next visit to the ENT. He mentioned last time they have seen good success with the steroid injections directly into the ear. As a working musician, this scares the hell out of me just thinking about it... The good news today is that I can hear better and with less distortion in the lower ranges. Not completely clear by any stretch, but an improvement. It is not clear to me yet what precipitated this latest incident... I am slowing eliminating caffeine from my diet, down from a whole bunch every day to less than 1/2 cup coffee's worth now. So.... Monday I go to have some hearing aids "demoed" to me. No ideas what to expect, so we'll see. Thanks all for your concern and well-wishes. To have gone bilateral now after almost 2 years of feeling like I had gotten past the hump is particularly demoralizing.... Got a gig tomorrow night with some old friends, we'll play 3 hours and be done by 9 PM. If I can hear what I'm playing, I will count it as a good night indeed... Rgds, JMC
GLA: I am at Houston ENT, 915 Gessner. My ENT is Dr. Mark Nichols. I've just been twice, once for the initial exam and then again for a bunch of tests - hearing and balance. I am going back Monday for the hearing aid demo. I was at Baylor for 6+ years prior, but they were too busy to see me when my good ear started to really go south... So I switched. scott tom: I tried antivirals a few years back, they did not help. In fact, I had more a series of minor episodes during the time I was taking them.
That's interesting they didn't work. If you don't mind answering, what antiviral and dose were you taking? Did it follow Gacek's regimen? That specific regimen has worked for many.