Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Posted by Julie, Volunteer Mentor @julieo4, Jun 15, 2020

Tinnitus is extremely common with hearing loss. In fact, nearly everyone who has hearing loss will tell you they have or have had tinnitus to some degree. When hearing loss has not been diagnosed, tinnitus may be a sign of mild hearing loss; an indicator that one should probably have their hearing tested. It is also possible to have tinnitus without hearing loss. Tinnitus, those pesky head sounds that may sound like crickets, sirens or buzz saws, is annoying. While most tinnitus is tolerable, in some instances it can be disabling. LEARN MORE.... Thursday, June 18th. THIS WEEK. You have to register.

A 'FREE to attend' research symposium held by the national organization; 'The Hearing Loss Assn. of America Inc.' (HLAA); will focus on tinnitus research. You can register to attend this session, and the entire 2 day conference at http://www.experiencehlaa.org This event is being held in lieu of the annual national convention of HLAA. Presenters who would normally have been at the national convention have offered to share their prepared information in this forum. There are many other presentations of interest during the 2 day online event. This is a golden opportunity for people who seek information on hearing loss. Again, http://www.experiencehlaa.org to register.

The mission of HLAA is to OPEN THE WORLD OF COMMUNICATION TO PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS THROUGH EDUCATION, INFORMATION SHARING, PEER SUPPORT, AND ADVOCACY. HLAA, a consumer based organization ,does not endorse products, services or providers. http://www.hearingloss.org

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

@brianhd0821

I recently went to my local ENT and audiologist for a check on my hesring. My left ear has moderate hearing loss due to cell damage. I have crazy irritating tinnitus that is keeping me up at night sometimes. Being a truck driver and a motorcycle rider, I feel like I have to make a drastic change in life. I went down a rabbit hole though searching online. I saw that stem cells can play a big part in the regrowth of the damaged hair cells. I am just trying to stay positive because this just came out of nowhere. Did anyone hear about the stem cell stuff like I did? Is it in the works at MayoClinic?

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I’ve joined this group today & have tinnitus. Believe the ringing in my right ear started when I was 40 & now I’m 85. Started seeing a doctor who gave me ointment to put in my ear & ended up completely losing my hearing. At that time I worked in a sound proof room using a computer & I truly believe this started my hearing loss. The doctor I was seeing became very angry with me & said I did not put the ointment in correctly. That I was supposed to have somebody put the ointment in the ear. I had put the ointment in correctly!
I was very upset with him & saw another doctor who gave me ear drops that helped. However, I believe that is when my ear started ringing & is still loudly ringing today.
Years later I moved to Ohio & went to the Cleveland Clinic in their Solon facility. As I read in the other commends they had a demo center. They gave me a hearing test & loaned me a hearing aid. Unfortunately it only magnified the ringing sound, so I took the hearing aid back. Later I had a hearing test for my left ear but, again the hearing aid they loaned me only picked up the ringing noise being made in my right ear. So I ended up returning both of the loaned hearing aids that were free of charge. I’m not sure if Cleveland Clinic still offers a demo center as it has been so long ago. Today my ear seems to be ringing very loudly & it is bugging me. It may be because I’m anxious!
I have Fibromyalgia with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so I battle pain & fatigue
24/7, the ringing in my ear, etc. I just muddle through & try to be happy for my loved ones. As for me & only me, I feel that most of my illnesses or syndromes are inherited & passed on from my Mother. I do hope & pray that they will find a cure for tinnitus.

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@jaynes40

Thank you! I never heard of a ‘demo center!’. I live in RI and not aware of any but maybe Boston has one. I”m wondering how hearing-loss college students are helped, or are they not likely to apply. What an awful thought!

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You might want to check with the Rhode Island state office for deaf and hard of hearing. Also, for vocational rehabilitation within the state. I don't think there is an HLAA chapter in Rhode Island, but there is one in Plymouth Massachusetts, which looks fairly close. Different states call these agencies different names. There are independent living centers in most states. Just mentioning this as there could be a demo center for hearing assistive technology near you. Those places would know where it would be.

The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates accommodations for students with all disabilities. Most college students with hearing loss have probably been taught to self-advocate for those accommodations. It would be a shame if they didn't.

Let us know if you are able to find support in your region.

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@julieo4

You might want to check with the Rhode Island state office for deaf and hard of hearing. Also, for vocational rehabilitation within the state. I don't think there is an HLAA chapter in Rhode Island, but there is one in Plymouth Massachusetts, which looks fairly close. Different states call these agencies different names. There are independent living centers in most states. Just mentioning this as there could be a demo center for hearing assistive technology near you. Those places would know where it would be.

The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates accommodations for students with all disabilities. Most college students with hearing loss have probably been taught to self-advocate for those accommodations. It would be a shame if they didn't.

Let us know if you are able to find support in your region.

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Will give it a go! Thank you.

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@brianhd0821

I recently went to my local ENT and audiologist for a check on my hesring. My left ear has moderate hearing loss due to cell damage. I have crazy irritating tinnitus that is keeping me up at night sometimes. Being a truck driver and a motorcycle rider, I feel like I have to make a drastic change in life. I went down a rabbit hole though searching online. I saw that stem cells can play a big part in the regrowth of the damaged hair cells. I am just trying to stay positive because this just came out of nowhere. Did anyone hear about the stem cell stuff like I did? Is it in the works at MayoClinic?

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There is a HLAA chapter in RI! It stopped the meetings during the Pandemic, and they will re-open on Saturday July 14. It’ll be a new experience, and want to thank you for the direction. Will report back.

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@jaynes40

There is a HLAA chapter in RI! It stopped the meetings during the Pandemic, and they will re-open on Saturday July 14. It’ll be a new experience, and want to thank you for the direction. Will report back.

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Yay! So glad to hear you were able to connect with them. The pandemic affected these groups. Many went to online meetings, but some just stopped meeting. I hope to hear good things when you report back! Remember, they can't answer all the questions you may have in one fell swoop! 🙂 It's a learning process.

Have you checked the HLAA website for specific information, and for programs that were done during the pandemic that are filed there.

http://www.hearingloss.org

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