I've been symptom tracking for the Neurologist for about 2 years now. I've been to 3 different E.N.T. Specialist. All in an attempt to address my frequent swallowing, voice loss, and ear pain issues. Then 4 MRI's on top of the ENT stuff, (Including an Gastric Endoscope). To check for esophageal & upper G.I. issues. They found nothing. Most of my symptoms seem to be progressing. Which is alarming, to say the least. The headches seem to have decreased in intensity, and frequency. I am so… read more
I hope this helps.
Hello? Is This Thing On? Hearing Impairment and MS
MSF 17 Difficulty Hearing
The eighth cranial nerve, known as the auditory nerve, links the ear to the brainstem. Damage to the auditory nerve, or other nerves associated with hearing, can cause “sensorineural hearing loss”. This means the ear itself is perfectly normal, but the nerves are damaged and can’t relay messages between the ear and the brain. It may become difficult to hear certain tones or pitches, and it can be very difficult to follow conversations in noisy or crowded environments. Sensorineural hearing loss can affect one or both ears.
Sensitivity to Noise
This particularly troubling symptom, called hyperacusis, can cause extreme pain to everyday noises. It occurs when a damaged nerve becomes overly excitable, causing it to fire uncontrollably when stimulated. The affected individual may avoid leaving the house because normal sounds can trigger intense pain, irritation, anxiety, and/or tension. Antiseizure medications are typically used to calm down the overactive nerves causing the pain.
Temporary or Sudden Hearing Loss
A sudden change in your hearing, in the absence of any signs of infection, may be a sign of a MS relapse. If this is the case your symptoms will most likely improve as you recover from the relapse, and recovery can be sped up by taking steroids. If you have pain associated with sudden hearing loss you should seek immediate medical attention, because it could be a sign of a ruptured eardrum or other serious issue.
Ringing in the Ears
A lot of people, not just those with MS, experience nagging ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sounds known as tinnitus. They can be occasional or constant, and can really impair your ability to listen to or focus on conversation. Tinnitus can be caused by a relapse, medications, an inner ear problem, or it can be idiopathic (meaning we really don’t know what the cause is). Some people who have persistent tinnitus can cope with it this background noise, such as music or the TV. If you also have hearing loss a hearing aid may be helpful. If you have tinnitus talk to your doctor and try to figure out if there is a treatable cause. They may also send you to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist for a more detailed exam.
Vertigo
Vertigo is an intense spinning sensation. Because balance and hearing are controlled by the same area of the brainstem, vertigo can occur hand-in-hand with hearing impairments. Vertigo can be treated with medications and other therapies.
google Vertigo exercises,I know they are strange and if you can do them safely, They really helped me get over the last spell. Medication did not seem to help . Good luck !
@VanessaDiazVasquez - Thank you so much for the response. I think mine must have been some sort of relapse or something. It only lasted about 3 days. Then it took another 2 days to fully return to normal.
I'll be going back to the E N.T soon, and I'll let him know what happened. I'll also share that with my Neuro N.P.
I've had the beginning of hearing problem when I was diagnosed back in '94. I was stubborn that I didn't want to accept it & I didn't want hearing aides. Now my hearing has gotten worse & I do have hearing aides for both ears. Still can't get used to them. They are my second pair. I do put the TV on loud & everything else. I have accepted it & through the years I have learned to read lips.
@A MyMSTeam Member - Thank you so much for the info. Many of the things mentioned in the write up are issues for me. I'm always complaining to my partner about the level of the movies he is watching. He didn't understand initially, but when I explained the feeling, and pain, it made sense. Now, if I mention anything about the volume level, he just lowers it.
To everyone else, I use to sing, on a few different Praise Teams, so I've been hypervigilant about the changes in my voice and hearing (as I was noticing significant differences before any testing or suspicions.)
I've been to 3 E.N.T.'s, and my ears are, "physically" fine. On the 4th MRI, they didn't mention finding any lesions.
The good part is, the hearing loss only lasted for a few days, and it's back. I think it could of been linked to me trying to over exert myself. I was walking outside, and it was hot that day.
I'm still symptom tracking, and my Neuro informed me that there's some new tests that he'd like me to do.
I'll inquire about them before I have them done.
Thanks everyone for the feedback. It's much appreciated.