For those you have had a laby, did the tinnitus, aural fullness, or hyperacusis disapear or become greatly reduced after your procedure. I have been relatively free of vertigo issues since the use of antivirals, but the above symptoms, especially hyperacusis, have been tough to deal with, since the sensitivity towards sound intensifies the tinnitus and fullness. There have been numerous times where the only relief for me is to take a valium, and that's when I just want to get a laby and kill the ear, as I'd rather have the silence then to continue to isolate myself from everyday sounds. I have about 50% hearing in my bad ear, but the tinnitus makes it worse and I can't wear my hearing aids because it amplifies the sensitivity. Looking forward to hearing from you all.
I had a laby last July. The aural fullness (which was a huge symptom for me) greatly reduced, almost to nothing. I still get a bit of fullness -- in both ears, now, actually -- esp when a storm front rolls through or there's a big barometric change. We are pretty sure I have a migraine element going on so that might be tied to that. Even at its worst now, though, it's NOTHING like it was pre-laby. When you have a laby you lose 100% of your hearing on that side. Whatever you still have. So hyperacusis -- for that ear -- is gone post laby. Sorry to say there's still tinnitus. And it still fluctuates, though not sure what drives it. Hormones... caffeine... sodium... barometric pressure. It is always present, and can range from high pitch squeal like a tea kettle to the roaring engine noise. It does worsen in loud situations (which is odd to me, since I have no hearing on that side). It's definitely not eliminated.
I agree with No Dizzy. My OTO said regarding the laby that the vertigo attacks will stop and any of the other symptoms if they too are gone "is icing on the cake." There are no guarantees however I got lucky I only have tinnitus and on very rare occasions I feel some fullness.
Thanks for your comments. I can probably deal with the tinnitus as long as I know that it won't get worse because of the sound sensitivity. I am a little worried about learning how to adjust to the post laby balance issues. As far as losing hearing, the affected ear is pretty much unable to differentiate sounds because of the tinnitus and the distortion, so I don't believe I would lose that much with the procedure.
Don't get me wrong... eliminating the vertigo was priority #1 for me and was absolutely necessary. At just about any cost. I had *some* useable hearing left, before the laby, but it was growing more and more distorted by the day. It wasn't worth all that much, hearing wise, when I finally got to the procedure. But the complete loss of that side hearing... that means I can no longer "echolocate" and determine where sounds are coming from. Which, day to day, is not nearly as serious as the debilitating vertigo attacks I'd been having. However, the consequences range from the annoying (how many times will people call my name in a busy place? More than I thought! And I look like a moron every time searching high and low in every direction for who called me... at the store, at the airport, and most often walking my dog in our very friendly neighborhood... it's become a joke at this point). but more seriously, it happens in more consequential places. I can still drive safely but really have to pay attention when sirens are approaching, for example, if I don't see where they are right away. I have yet to return to skiing... I am really nervous about the morons who come flying down the mountain from behind and I can't tell which way. Losing that one side of hearing had more of an effect than I anticipated beyond the actual hearing part. I would still do the laby again in a heartbeat but it's something to consider.
Joe, If nothing else, thanks for putting a name to that symptom. I didn't know what it was called, but it sure is annoying. Please No Dizzy, Please report back if you start skiing again. I miss it badly. (gave it up this year.) I will water ski only, until I get younger. Thanks Jim
To regain your balance, walk as much as you can as often as you can. Use a walker or cane or whatever and stay away from traffic but just keep walking. You will be surprised how much you will recover and how quickly. The finer points take m9nths and years but you probably can get serviceable balance in a couple months if the other ear is good.
Had my Laby in Jan. '09, and the only real difference is I don't have vertigo attacks any longer (from that ear). I distinctly recall waking up in recovery after the surgery, and I looked up at my wife and told her: "It's quiet"..I hadn't heard actual silence in years. That heavenly silence lasted all of about 2 minutes; the tinnitus returned and hasn't shut up since. Went bi-lateral in 2011, so I still have fullness in my other ear (along with the rest of the Meniere's trimmings) except vertigo. My advice would be to avoid the Laby so long as you have hearing in that ear, and aren't having issues with vertigo. If the vertigo is a constant issue, then I'd get that nerve chopped.