I had my second hearing test today. My first one was in January and was normal. Todays sucked. I've had two severe attacks since in the past three weeks and my ENT had me go back for another test. I'm sort of noticing it at times but she said my left ear is compensating well for the loss in the right. Significant low frequency hearing loss and slight loss at higher pitches. This is the first recorded hearing loss I've shown since being diagnosed in January. I've been having symptoms since last summer. Will the steroid injections bring it back??
I am note aware (but not sure either) that steriod shots will help. I know when I experienced sudden full hearing loss steriod pills did help. However, if started early enough, believe that Dr Gacek has seen positive results of hearing being regained after anti virals. I was not able to start anti virals for over 3 years of active attacks and hearing destruction so the a/v did not improve my hearing - but have not had further loss...
I have had two steroid ear injections since late February and the first one did restore some of my hearing. I went from a moderate to borderline severe loss to a moderate borderline mild loss in my problem ear. The second injection was given 2 weeks after the first to hopefully build on the initial improvement but unfortunately no such luck. In my case the injection also gave me relief from sustained ear pressure as well as hyperacusis however it did nothing for the tinnitus. My ent did tell me he wasn't sure how long the relief would last, so far so good for now.
I recovered some of my hearing with the anti-virals. I wish I had know about them and started them at the stage that you are at. But I am very grateful for what I recovered. I went from moderate-severe to mild-moderate. In real life what that means is that for a while I could not hold a conversation with someone if they were walking on my left, but now I can most of the time (even though I seem to have another problem with my hearing now separate from MM, but I won't go into that). My heart goes out to you. I always get shaken up when I see a test that shows hearing loss.
I'm going to try again to see if he'll put me on an antiviral. I just finished up a week on oral prednisone and still showed hearing loss on the test yesterday. I'm terrified of the injection. The thought of a needle going into my ear makes me shudder. I'm a little less than a week in to the JOH regimen so am not on the full regimen yet. Yesterday I stayed woozie feeling all day. Off and on I felt like I was floating or something. Very strange sensation. The tinnitus wasn't bad yesterday. My balance and coordination was off a bit though. We just got a new dog. He's a puppy but already about 40 pounds. We're still trying to teach him to not jump up on people. He's almost made me fall a couple of times now. Don't need that. Thank you for your support on here. This forum has been a tremendous help to me lately.
The injection is not that bad. Painful, yes, but bearable. Make sure you do not see the needle before the injection, less fear You are strong moodymom !
I have to say that the thought of a needle in the ear made the procedure a no go for me at first too. I changed my mind after realizing that I was already experiencing almost constant ear pressure along with ear pain and there was no end in sight. After all the worrying I did about the injection it turned out to be more of an uncomfortable moment than actually painful to me but I agree with Marta best to not look at the needle.
About how long did it take for the small hole in your eardrum to close, after the tympanic membrane injections?
When I have my steroid shots they actually have me hold the needle in my hand for a few minutes to heat up the steroid. I got a very good look at it. The procedure is more uncomfortable but it lasts less then 10 min.
I had a series of three steroid injections, one a week for three weeks, about five years ago. The hole never did close up. Every time I blow my nose, there's a whistling sound. The doctor says since it's not causing any problems and the hole is so small, we're just going to leave it alone. The injections are quite expensive. For me, the numbing solution was the most painful. When it was applied all I could think of was a lit cigarette being held on my eardrum. I also had to lie on my side for 30 minutes without swallowing. I got absolutely no benefit from the injections.
I had significant hearing loss in exactly the pattern you describe. I regained normal hearing with several months of antivirals and allergy treatment to take the load off the immune system. My dr was Dr Derebery at House Ear in LA. The hearing in the high ranges is the least likely to return because that part of the ear is more fragile than the part that creates lower frequency sounds. The sooner you get treatment the more likely you are to regain and preserve your hearing. Good luck!