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Tinnitus & possible hearing loss?

Pixiefox
over 4 years ago

I'm posting this on behalf of someone else who is highly likely autistic. They have had severe high pitched tinnitus for a few weeks which started 3 days after wax being removed by practice nurse (ear 'syringing') GP has arranged referral to ENT doctor but wait is nearly 5 months. I read that tinnitus is often linked to some hearing loss in certain frequencies (the brain tries to "fill in" the missing sounds) and if so, hearing aids can help. Free hearing tests are available at Specsavers, but hearing aids from them cost £495-£2500 plus, whereas they would be provided free from the NHS, but after a potential 5 month wait suffering from a debilitating constant sensory assault with the usual associated anxiety this causes for those of us on the AS spectrum (although it can of course also be a strain for people who are not autistic) Two types of anti-anxiety medications have been prescribed so far, but neither seem to help.

I just  wanted to ask if anyone has suffered with tinnitus, and if so whether hearing aids helped?

Parents
  • over 4 years ago

    Thanks everyone for your replies & suggestions. He had a private hearing test a few days ago, which showed a slight age-related hearing loss but not enough to need hearing aids. The audiologist suggested the usual things: to try to relax, listen to other sounds, and that it should become more bearable when the brain starts to adapt. Since the day after the test, he has been dealing with it better and is less anxious. He said he felt more comfortable with the audiologist than either of the 2 GPs he has seen about it, so perhaps he was reassured by being told by someone he trusted more that there was no damage to the ear canal or eardrum and that he did not have a significant hearing loss. Sometimes we subconsciously worry about stuff without realising it, which can make anxiety worse and set up a vicious circle with the tinnitus. Hopefully he is over the worst of it.

Reply
  • over 4 years ago

    Thanks everyone for your replies & suggestions. He had a private hearing test a few days ago, which showed a slight age-related hearing loss but not enough to need hearing aids. The audiologist suggested the usual things: to try to relax, listen to other sounds, and that it should become more bearable when the brain starts to adapt. Since the day after the test, he has been dealing with it better and is less anxious. He said he felt more comfortable with the audiologist than either of the 2 GPs he has seen about it, so perhaps he was reassured by being told by someone he trusted more that there was no damage to the ear canal or eardrum and that he did not have a significant hearing loss. Sometimes we subconsciously worry about stuff without realising it, which can make anxiety worse and set up a vicious circle with the tinnitus. Hopefully he is over the worst of it.

Children