Hearing concerns
Discussion
I'm struggling a little with my hearing. I'm finding it quite difficult to filter sound when there is background noise - so for example lunch in pub (just normal levels of background chat will do it) and particularly annoying within an orchestra/group of musicians. I'm a violinist, so playing up high is difficult to hear in those scenarios.
I have some high pitched tinnitus, mostly low level manageable stuff but practice or loud noise exposure leaves a lasting impression for a few hours currently.
Saw my GP in October, who tried the usual anti allergy stuff as he said my ear drums were retracted onto 'gunk' behind them which was probably responsible for most of it. When that didn't work he referred me to an ent.
I had a hearing test this morning, headphones on and play various frequencies stuff, at which point it was observed my hearing was excellent. I pointed out I had already told them that, it's filtering the sound I can't do at the moment. From then on however, I felt very much like they thought I was wasting their time. I was essentially told nothing looks physically wrong so they can't help me.
I was given a leaflet on tinnitus and sent on my way.
Wondering if anyone on here has any further suggestions as at 34 it's a tad worrying. I'm fully aware I'm super sensitive hearing wise, have always been susceptible to loud noises etc., but until recently have had no problems picking out the sounds/voices I need to focus on.
I have some high pitched tinnitus, mostly low level manageable stuff but practice or loud noise exposure leaves a lasting impression for a few hours currently.
Saw my GP in October, who tried the usual anti allergy stuff as he said my ear drums were retracted onto 'gunk' behind them which was probably responsible for most of it. When that didn't work he referred me to an ent.
I had a hearing test this morning, headphones on and play various frequencies stuff, at which point it was observed my hearing was excellent. I pointed out I had already told them that, it's filtering the sound I can't do at the moment. From then on however, I felt very much like they thought I was wasting their time. I was essentially told nothing looks physically wrong so they can't help me.
I was given a leaflet on tinnitus and sent on my way.
Wondering if anyone on here has any further suggestions as at 34 it's a tad worrying. I'm fully aware I'm super sensitive hearing wise, have always been susceptible to loud noises etc., but until recently have had no problems picking out the sounds/voices I need to focus on.
I can't really help but this sounds like the start of noise induced hearing loss, probably caused by the violin playing unfortunately. Some people are particularly susceptible to it.
Problems with background noise, tinnitus and loud noises are classic symptoms. I had trouble like this for years before it was picked up on a hearing test. The higher frequencies around 4 kHz tend to go first. A 20 dB hearing threshold is considered "normal" and the NHS is no longer supplying hearing aids for mild hearing loss, which is anything up to 40 dB. So it has to be quite bad before something will be done and at that point the "solution" will be to try a hearing aid.
The audiologist should have done a test with white noise playing in the background to see if you can still hear the tones. Also a test for conductive hearing loss vs sensorineural (with sound coming through your head). But I don't think it would change much. The ENT department never seem keen on doing any tests for the many causes of hearing loss. I suppose an MRI, for example, is considered too costly for the small number of people it would help.
If you don't already, make sure you wear musicians ear plugs to help stop any further progression. There is some evidence that magnesium can protect against noise exposure:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8135325
Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can advise further.
Problems with background noise, tinnitus and loud noises are classic symptoms. I had trouble like this for years before it was picked up on a hearing test. The higher frequencies around 4 kHz tend to go first. A 20 dB hearing threshold is considered "normal" and the NHS is no longer supplying hearing aids for mild hearing loss, which is anything up to 40 dB. So it has to be quite bad before something will be done and at that point the "solution" will be to try a hearing aid.
The audiologist should have done a test with white noise playing in the background to see if you can still hear the tones. Also a test for conductive hearing loss vs sensorineural (with sound coming through your head). But I don't think it would change much. The ENT department never seem keen on doing any tests for the many causes of hearing loss. I suppose an MRI, for example, is considered too costly for the small number of people it would help.
If you don't already, make sure you wear musicians ear plugs to help stop any further progression. There is some evidence that magnesium can protect against noise exposure:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8135325
Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can advise further.
Thanks - that pretty much bears out what I was thinking. Curiously right ear is worse, when I'd have assumed left...
I have some ear plugs through work, but they're not the greatest to play with, they're more for drowning damaging frequencies when doing classroom/group work.
My boss has suggested a chat with British tinnitus association, and there's a possibility of some more specific ear plugs that would be better to play with. I'm also going to try and contact musician's hearing. Really I simply want to halt any further damage or problems if I can.
No white noise test, I very much felt that once I fit their normal testing she was looking at me with a sort of why am I bothering, and from the get go with the consultant it was the same attitude. Frustrating.
I have some ear plugs through work, but they're not the greatest to play with, they're more for drowning damaging frequencies when doing classroom/group work.
My boss has suggested a chat with British tinnitus association, and there's a possibility of some more specific ear plugs that would be better to play with. I'm also going to try and contact musician's hearing. Really I simply want to halt any further damage or problems if I can.
No white noise test, I very much felt that once I fit their normal testing she was looking at me with a sort of why am I bothering, and from the get go with the consultant it was the same attitude. Frustrating.
I'm in the same boat as you, having tinnitus. My hearing is - apparently - fine according to NHS trusts, and yet I'm constandby having to ask people to repeat themselves, as if they speak when there's any background noise, I do not hear it.
Part of the problem IMO is the hearing tests, which play very quiet sounds with no background noise. I'm fine with that, it's background noise I struggle with.
As with you, I was offered a "coping with tinnitus" leaflet, and even counselling, but I'm really not that kind of person.
Part of the problem IMO is the hearing tests, which play very quiet sounds with no background noise. I'm fine with that, it's background noise I struggle with.
As with you, I was offered a "coping with tinnitus" leaflet, and even counselling, but I'm really not that kind of person.
I too have problems when there is background noise. I'm virtually deaf in a pub or club. Two people talking at the same time means I can hear neither.
I've had a long chat with an NHS ear doc and the long and short of it is that I'm stuck with it. I can have hearing aids that might help, there are those that will filter out some frequencies, but it's an expensive option that 'probably won't help much'.
Some of mine is due to damage from firing guns, that's the noise, not by being shot in the ear, and going to F1.
Cinemas were a pain as dialogue was lost. Following counter-intuitive advice I used earplugs when watching Rogue 1 and it was something of a miracle. I heard everything and clearly. I became almost emotional as I was taken back years.
It works, to a lesser extent, in situations where there is background conversation or music, such as pubs and, particularly, my rugby club. Normally after a match I just sit there and smile (or cry). Now I can take part.
It looks a bit silly, having earplugs sticking out, but people tend to speak up when they see them, so a bonus there. I no longer tell people I'm wearing them because I'm a bit deaf as they think I'm taking the mickey. The only downside is that I have an arthritic jaw (I was punched on the jaw some years ago), which might be part of the problem in my right ear, and wearing them for any length of time causes a lot of pain.
Not a solution of course, but a work around.
I've had a long chat with an NHS ear doc and the long and short of it is that I'm stuck with it. I can have hearing aids that might help, there are those that will filter out some frequencies, but it's an expensive option that 'probably won't help much'.
Some of mine is due to damage from firing guns, that's the noise, not by being shot in the ear, and going to F1.
Cinemas were a pain as dialogue was lost. Following counter-intuitive advice I used earplugs when watching Rogue 1 and it was something of a miracle. I heard everything and clearly. I became almost emotional as I was taken back years.
It works, to a lesser extent, in situations where there is background conversation or music, such as pubs and, particularly, my rugby club. Normally after a match I just sit there and smile (or cry). Now I can take part.
It looks a bit silly, having earplugs sticking out, but people tend to speak up when they see them, so a bonus there. I no longer tell people I'm wearing them because I'm a bit deaf as they think I'm taking the mickey. The only downside is that I have an arthritic jaw (I was punched on the jaw some years ago), which might be part of the problem in my right ear, and wearing them for any length of time causes a lot of pain.
Not a solution of course, but a work around.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff