I had another hearing test the other day and my bad ear is around the 50-60dB mark as usual for the last year. But I had 3 days a week or so ago where the hearing came back in this ear. I'd started on the John Of Ohio's plan a month earlier but I'm sure that's just coincidence, but I was wondering, are there people out there who also got their hearing back on this plan or are we really just looking for controlling the spinning? When I had the hearing test I told the ENT about these days of good hearing but his reaction was less enthusiastic than I hoped. I thought this was the proof that the hearing was still there and it was just a case of finding it but he says it's just the way Meniere's works and to take Cerc for the rest of my life etc, etc. Talking about Cerc, does anyone actually take that? I haven't seen much said about it on the boards here and it never seemed to do a lot for me.
For me, my hearing would fluctuate significantly up/down. But each attack reduced my hearing further to where even the "Good" was not as good as it used to be. My understanding is that if antivirals are started early on it is very possible to regain full hearing and prevent further hearing loss. But the longer this thing is active the more long term damage done.
I have had Meniers for 10 years. I recently had a hearing test. There is only 70% hearing left. I do have difficulty hearing in some venues. There is a Meniett devise in my ear but doc says that would not affect the hearing. I am reluctant to get a hearing devise. I understand that they are not always successful. Any thoughts???
I haven't had a full blown vertigo attack in about 8 months now ( came very close a few weeks ago but did not end up vomiting/diarehea) - I have had 3 decadron shots in that time and am taking lipoflavanoids, B-12, valium for dizziness and my last hearing test a couple weeks ago showed an improvement in my low-tones ( Only my right ear is affected)
QueenB, I had always heard that hearing aids were not all that useful for those with Meniere's. It's not just that the hearing goes, it's that the receptors are all mucked up so you just end up amplifying "garbage" in a sense. Some thoughts from those who have experience of the special meniere's hearing devices would be interesting though but I don't see how they could work. Nickyschick, when you say an improvement, do you mind if I ask what kind of level your hearing is at?
My hearing at the lower registers is bad in my left ear. For me the hearing aid works extremely well. I only struggle at times in extremely noisy environments - other than that, it not only helps me hear but i feel like I am not as tired at the end of the day from struggling to hear all day long. Key to the hearing aid is a good audiologist that spends the time tweeking the settings over a period of time.
I have a hearing aid for my bad ear. It does not help me with my hearing. For me, BeanzMeanz, you are absolutely spot on; my receptors are all mucked up so the hearing aid amplifies the sound but I cannot understand the clarity of voices. The distortion is horrible. I have an excellent audiologist who works with meniere's patients. She has tried different ear molds and various settings to help me understand voices better, but she said that my meniere's has caused the distortion and the hearing aid cannot fix that. One benefit of the hearing aid for me is that sound in general sounds more balanced so I don't feel "off" as much as I used to. I wear it everyday; if I don't, I feel unbalanced and on the verge of vertigo.
Hi Scott Tom Great you got your hearing back through antivirals. Can you tell me how long had your hearing been affected and to what degree before you took the antivirals. Thanks
I was at about a 70% loss in my right ear- last test I was at about a 50% loss - so not a HUGE improvement - but def an improvmemt - If you are looking for specifics on how they measure I would be happy to get that.... so i am hoping that if I continue this way that next test in 3 months is a little better ....
Hearing aids help in early Meniere's, but with advanced Meniere's they are useless. I took Cerc back in the early 1970s and it was totally useless for me. My hearing eventually got down to more than 120 dB down in both ears. Cochlear implants (CIs) worked for me. My hearing is now 20 dB down (low normal range) in both ears with CIs. They also corrected the distortion and recruitment, and improved my tinnitus. Best regards, Jim
Hi Jim, That sounds great too. But I was reading this page on cochlear implants. Is this how they are now or have there been improvements? https://auditoryneuroscience.com/prosthetics/noise_vocoded_speech Vince
Thanks Scott Tom how wonderful that must be for you. After 10 years I have got used to hearing zip with my left ear. I have never been able to get hold of antivirals through the doctors here in the UK So what I intend to do is before I go to Spain in a couple of months is to have a hearing test. Then purchase antivirals in Spain as they are sold over the counter there. Come back have a course of the antivirals and have a repeat hearing test. If successful it would be great for me and others but also it would be great to show the results to the arrogant know all but know nothing doctors and specialists here. I must say that it is probably too long a period for me to recover my hearing but I'm going to give it a go. For those who have had success with antivirals which are best,what dosage and for how long. To add that hearing loss and fatigue are my only symptoms, haven't had vertigo, dizziness or vomiting for 7 years.
I got a hearing aid about 45 days ago. Immediately I felt the releif of the feeling of pressure and somehow the noise annoyance from the outside in was better than the noise on the inside of my head. Feeling quite posiitve then about 3 weeks in, I statrted getting awful nausea. Couldn't eat much for 3 weeks. Then I decided to stop wearing the hearing aid thinking that maybe it was simply too much stimulation causing that sea-sick feeling…more noticeable when I am walking. At about the same time I started experimenting with Meclizene. After only one dose, my hearing significantly improved. But because of the groggs from it, I stopped taking it although wonder about taking it a couple times a week at bedtime. I may give the hearing aid another go but not for awhile until I can fully stabilize…like my next life-time!
Hi Vince, My Cochlear Implants sound very normal. They have never sounded like the vocoded recording. Music sounds just like it did back in the 1960s before I had Meniere's. Best regards, Jim
My hearing stabilized and is slowly improving. I've been seeing a Nucca chiropractor. Definitely pursue this, or the TMJD evaluation before considering any destructive surgery. Be well.
Please read what I posted in "does anyone get their hearing back?" Valacyclovir is what has helped me most.