For the first time in two months went to a noisy restaurant with my sister and partner. I started shaking and some of the noises were overwhelming. I got so scared, I didn't know myself. Tried my hearing aids in, and then out, and then back in again. I used to love going out and being the hit of the gathering, and now I sit there in a stuper---it makes me so sad.....Why is this noise destroying me? How do I handle this? When I ate the food (no salt Salmon), it did get some better, and then the headaches start..... What a miserable existence this is now for me.
I can certainly empathize with you. Noise and even normal conversational tones have started to bother me so much that I'm now avoiding most social interaction. I am, however, so hopeful that the Valacyclovir treatment I"m currently undergoing will help this, in addition to helping the horrible vertigo/dizziness that truly devastates one's life. What kind of treatment plans have you tried? Just know you are not alone in this.
Laby Time!!!! Jimmy....you have options to get back to living a normal life, use them. Do not let menieres control you life.
When I'm in a noisy environment like a restaurant I'll sometimes put an earplug in my bad ear. Also, when at a table, I make sure that I'm sitting on end so that I have no one to the left of me screaming in my bad ear.
I always take out my hearing aids when I go out because the noise overwhelms me so quickly. I don't go out very much but when I do, I usually try to communicate with sign language only.
Thanks again to all those who replied to me. In terms of treatment, I have been too three ENTs, and a Neurologists, and also two MDs and countless audiologists. I have had three steroid shots through the left ear and now a tube in the left ear which I place steroids in three times a day and have to lay there for 20 minutes. My current ENT wants to put another tube in my right ear, but no, I am not going to do that, since this has resulted in my hearing declining and even more problems. I got my acyclovir today and plan on taking this when this current treatment ends or perhaps I even thought about starting it now. Can you do that on John of Ohio's regiment--combine convention therapy with the anti-virals? Got tested today, and my left ear continues to decline while my right ear holds steady, but shaky. Today is roar day with beautiful matching high pitched whistles. I see the ENT on March 15. I did get tinnitus blocking hearing aids, which are hard to deal with. All kind of strange crap going on, echos, feedback a monster sound from most voices....
Many have successfully used my regimen right along with prescription antiherpetic drugs. No conflict, all benefits. Attack this disease (in this case the causative virus) as many ways as possible. (For those not familiar with my approach, read it here: http://www.zoominternet.net/~kcshop/JOH.pdf) --John of Ohio
So sorry you are going through this. I am hopeful you will find a good solution. In the meantime--I find restaurants with outside seating and quiet restaurants work for me when loud restaurants don't.