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Does anyone have this type of off balance feeling?
Has anyone experienced a slightly off balance situation? (I’ve worn hearing aids 9 years, I got new hearing aids a month before this problem began) This has been going on for a few months. I am not quite dizzy maybe just a tiny bit now and then. However I feel like I am walking through water at times, or walking on a slightly soft surface. If I walk down the hallway I might take an extra step to the side to get back on track. Occasionally I turn my head quickly and it feels like the inside of my head moved at a different rate than the outside. Also I can go days with no problems and it can last for a short time or most of the day. Sometimes I think my thighs feel a bit weak. Usually when I sit down I feel ok. It is so hard to explain. My PCP referred me to a neurologist, I’m still waiting to get in. I persisted with my ENT she ordered audiology testing which I have this week. She ordered an MRI of my neck too. I can do my daily walk outside so it’s not like I feel like I am going to fall over. It bothers me more with slow movements as you would have walking in your home. Any advice or related experience would be appreciated.
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To be diagnosed with Meniere's they generally expect you to have three of the four classic symptoms. If you only have two they're generally very on the fence about it and with only one you wouldn't get a diagnosis. Of course there's no definitive diagnosis for it. And a diagnosis really isn't that helpful anyway as they can still only treat some of the symptoms. The tinnitus can't be treated, there are various options for vertigo and obviously HAs or eventually CIs for hearing. I never had the fullness feeling except occasionally.
Are you on medicines that can cause dizzy or lightheaded feelings? I have similar feelings, but, know meds do that to me. Blood pressure ones, especially!
I do wear hearing aids and glasses. Both contribute to the problem! Good luck!
No medications. Thank you!
Dave and Penny, I am going through the same research process as Dave. Was approved for CI in left ear a month ago and have been talking to all of my contacts at HLAA (about 20 have CI's) to get as much info as possible. All are happy they did it. My left ear sounds like yours Penny - about 25% word recognition down from 55% a year before. Right ear is at 55% now. Getting left ear to the 90th% range would be amazing. I have a surgeon lined up at Penn in August but my final research is to talk to all 3 CI mfgrs. at the HLAA Convention. I'm leaning to AB because I have had Phonak aids and Roger mics foe almost 10 years but I want to keep an open mind.
Penny would you mind emailing me with your blog as well? I would love to read it. mikemiles_19087@yahoo.com
Thanks so much. This is why I love this forum.
Mike
I will email you the blog - but I think you found it on FB, also.
A couple of points; 1) Not all phonic hearing aids are compatible with AB CIs. Finding out whether yours is, might help the decision making. 2) AB has the worst record of recalls. Not all hospitals will still implant them so find out if your surgeon does for sure. 3) While you may have the Rogers pen already, if you choose Cochlear you will get a free remote mic and other goodies. I'm not sure where AB is on that.
What does CI stand for please?
Cochlear implant
👍
Penny, thank you for emailing me the blog. I did find the Facebook post but sometimes struggle with Facebook.
As for AB, it was the 1at CI I researched because of my Phonak history. When you get a AB CI they also give you a compatible Phonak hearing aid for the other ear. Maybe that changed since you got yours. And my Roger and Partner mics will work with them. If they didn't, that would be a reason for me to not consider AB as my assistive listening systems are my life. I couldn't keep doing everything I enjoy without them.
Now that I've researched AB so much and met a lot of people with AB, I am moving on to Cochlear and Med El so that when I get to the HLAA convention and meet the reps I will be well versed with all 3. As to surgery, the surgeon will use any of the 3 and didn't have one they thought would be best for me.
I will read the rest of your blog this week. I think it's great you journaled the process from beginning to end for others going through this process. Take care.
Do you fly often? Did the symptoms start after flying? You could have a perilymph fistula. You can Google the symptoms. I’m in a support group on FB for Perilymph Fistula although mine was from injury, I’ve read a lot of people have developed them after flying though.