I had a laby 7 years ago. I have had it pretty good for the past 7years enjoying all life has to offer. In October I experienced a period where my "good" ear started to distort sounds to the point where I could barely hear anything and what I did hear was high pitched and almost Donald Duck like voices. Thinking I might have some congestion in my head I took Allegra D and within 2 days my hearing was back to normal. A good thing. The week before Christmas I experienced the exact same symptoms. Again I took Allegra D and my hearing returned but not like it did the first time. I now have only high pitch sounds and my low tones are completely off. I can understand speech but music and TV sounds are very distorted. What is bothering me the most is the vibrations I feel/hear in my ear especially when I am driving my car. My ear is picking up road vibration also when the car accelerates the sound is so annoying I can feel it throughout my body. Does anyone else have the vibration in their ear that I am explaining? And if so could you share with me your experience? I am sure this is probably the start of going bilateral. So far no vertigo. Any and all input will be greatly appreciated.
I don’t know if that’s maybe a form of hyperacousis? With the sudden hearing loss maybe consider pushing your doc for some prednisone. I know you’re already on valtrex, right?
Redwing, I hope you can quickly get confirmation of whether your symptoms are indeed bilateral beginnings or something else. It's awful being in that state of anxiety and uncertainty, especially having left that behind with the laby 7 years ago. For what it's worth, my doctor said that bilateral meniere's is less likely in people who were first diagnosed unilaterally in their 40s or older and who had lived with the disease for more than 10 years.
Thanks Clare. I have been in contact with my OTO at Mass Eye and Ear and he told me to call for an appointment on Monday, hopefully I can get squeezed in this week. I am hoping for something other than bilateral but not sure what else it could be. My PCP saw no wax build up. Good news is no vertigo are fullness to go along with the hearing loss.
Redwing - I am so sorry to hear about the second ear. I have had MM for 12 years in my right ear. However, I often get fluid in my "good" ear following a cold. I affects my hearing for a few days. This just started happening in the past 2/3 years. I think most of us are just born genetically with crappy ears so we are more susceptible to issues. I am hoping that it is just middle ear fluid that is causing your issues. But if for some reason it is not...I would highly recommend starting an anti viral regimen on JOH and actual antiviral pills. My guess is you tried it before your Labby but maybe it was too late by then. If you start it early on your good ear...you never know you may save it!! Hopefully its just a middle at issues anyway...fingers crossed.
Hey Red..,I know Dr. Rauch will get on it quickly. His existing patients always take priority. You are in good hands. No vertigo and no fullness are good signs it is not bilateral. Probably allergies or normal hearing loss as we age. Keep me posted my friend.
Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I am trying to stay positive and focus on the fact that I have not had vertigo or fullness. Will keep you up to date. Should hear (ha ha) from scheduling secretary today.
I met with Dr. Rauch this morning. My hearing has greatly improved from 2 days ago and the hearing test I had today showed very small decline in the low tones since my last test in November. We discussed the fact that there is no way of telling if indeed it is Meneires. We discussed what it could be related to, weather, congestion etc. I am not experiencing any vertigo or fullness. Tinnitus is present 24/7 very mild. We discussed the different tests I could have (VEMP, CAT Scan) but again that would not change the outcome if Meneires is attacking. It would rule out tumors but that is pretty unlikely as I am extremely healthy, active and show no signs of that possibility. We discussed the anxiety that goes along with thoughts of losing hearing in my good ear. For now I am going to monitor how often my hearing acts up and if it continues to go in a downward slope or not. If my hearing is off for a few days or weeks on a monthly basis we will be looking into a cochlear implant sooner than later. Best to have the option before I go completely deaf and it is comforting to know I have that option. If I develop vertigo I will seek treatment. I know a lot of you have had great success with JOH and antivirals but I am not going that route. As I have said before I already gave up many years of my life to this disease and at this age I am not willing to experiment with the supplements and antivirals as I had no success the first time around. Please don't take this as I am against that route it's just not for me at this stage of my life. We all need to do what we need to do. So bottom line for now I will "soldier on". Hoping for more good days than bad. Continue monitoring and see where it leads me. Thanks again for your support.
^^Great post You are in Great Hands with Dr. Rauch....he gets it and when I saw him twice many years ago he was what I needed to hear when he told me the vertigo had to be stopped so I can live my life. Stay positive Red as I know you will.... MM has took many years of my life..it will not take another day. Life is too short.