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@gregv

My empathy and reply to all of you. I have had hearing loss since the 1980s, slight at first, now severe. Tinnitus in both ears since 2001 (high pitched "electronic" tone). Hearing aids since 2005 - on that subject someone here claimed that all hearing aids do is increase volume. Maybe the cheap ones, but mine have plenty of tone and specific frequency adjustments for each ear that clarify speech very well. 2018 my right vestibule over pressurized until damage occurred, resulting in 12 to 16 hours of debilitating dizziness, then vertigo, then throwing up (every other day for 6 weeks). My right eyesight also deteriorated overnight. Lots of doctors, PT, and every test known to man later, turns out for me it was a pinched nerve in my neck. So, for me, when the fullness in my ear starts, I can get that under control with neck exercises. I truly wish it were that simple for everyone who has this condition.
All of that is just background. 2022 I reacted to the 3rd Phizer covid booster - inflammation to my already damaged right ear. Only severe dizziness this time, no vertigo. ENTs were absolutely worthless (prednizone only worked while on it, both had nothing els to offer), neck exercises did nothing. Only 2mg valium, 4mg antinausea, and 1 to 2 hours sleep got me through. A ton of research, especially with VEDA (Vestibular Disorder Association) lead me to a PT who specializes in this arena.
I also discovered a slight misalignment with my eyes. Local optometrist and ophthalmologist said it was nothing, but further research lead me to a neuro-ophthalmologist and corrective glasses (needed glasses anyway).
I am to the point of just accepting that the nerves connecting the eyes and ears are somehow slightly damaged and not fixable. VEDA suggested the PT mentioned above to train my brain to recognize that the balance messages from my right ear do not match that from the left and both eyes (all four need to say the same thing). I do my exercises every day (takes about 5 minutes), and with my glasses - no dizziness for the last 3 months.
It took a lot of work to get here, but so far - success. I am back do doing the things I like to do - like my motorcycle and long mountain hikes. Surgery and more drugs are usually my last resorts.
My suggestions include personal research - plenty of vestibule, vertigo, and Menieres websites with peer-reviewed medical articles and studies that you might find give you answers that the doctors cannot. People in the medical professions are just people - they cannot know it all, and I feel it is up to the patient to be a major part of the fix. After all, we are (have) the problem, and although we know best how it effects us, we may not be able to express it well enough. And when they give us homework (exercises to help correct our conditions) DO THEM!
Good luck to all of you, and take care...

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Replies to "My empathy and reply to all of you. I have had hearing loss since the 1980s,..."

Thank you for sharing Greg that is a lot of information. I think most of us are trying to read as much as we can, and figure out what to do but like you stated some of it’s debilitating and you just don’t know what to do.

May I ask what kind of heating aids you have. I’m the one that made that comment. I have an Phonak and they were extremely expensive but they don’t help with clarity. I can turn down the volume up or down I can adjust for background noise are having a listen to the people in front of me but definitely not clarity, so I’m curious what you have maybe I can give them a try

My eyes are involved too. It’s so hard to get doctors to understand. I agree you have to do research on your own. I just feel like researching my health is all I do and that can get depressing!
Did you go to Chiropractic for pinched nerve. Were you in pain?
I see this is an older post but I would like to hear more because your symptoms sound like mine.
Most people don’t mention their eyes.

Good info! Is a pinched nerve the cause? Did chiropractor help? Have you tried acupuncture? Before Covid, I had the flu with right sinus congestion and right ear stopped up. Took antibiotic and Flonase and Zyrtec trying to clear ear with no success. Terrible crick in my neck for 3 months. Sudden hearing loss in right ear with tinnitus and dizziness. ENT said Meniere’s Disease. A year later the hearing loss started in left ear, now think AIED. I’ve always wondered if a pinched nerve is to blame but no one will listen. Numbness in fingers in both hands started about the same time. Now numbness in toes on both feet. Healthy , happy person. All rheumatology tests are normal with no concern with inflammation markers. I can’t find a ENT or Rheumatologist with AIED experience.