Hunter's Moon Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Everytime I get my hearing tested I am told it is perfect. However, I have chronic sinusitis that causes blocked Eustachian tubes in my ears. I have to constantly ask for clarification when someone speaks. I have to read lips to catch a lot of stuff. I am already on Flonase and Zyrtec. My ENT says there is nothing else that can be done - I just have to acknowledge that I cannot hear well and read lips and focus entirely on that person. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Get a second opinion. If you need to read lips to catch speech, you may benefit from a hearing aid. It never hurts to consult a few different professionals- opinions and diagnoses vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berta Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I have chronic sinusitis too. I also have mild hearing loss due to having tubes in my ears more than once as a child. I can hear the sound, but I can't make out what the person is saying. If a person isn't looking at me for me to match up the lips to the sounds, I have to ask for them to repeat it. The radio can be on low, and I can make out the music but not the words. My DH can't understand how I can HEAR the sound, but not make out WHAT the words are saying. Maybe you can relate? I started wearing hearing aids. I went to the audiologist and they tried to sell me $4,000 hearing aids. I found a set at Sams for less than $750. They are small and don't give me the plugged up feeling when wearing them. They really do make a difference in what I can hear. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/hearing-aids/1710103.cp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter's Moon Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 My fear of hearing aids is the sound amplifying, not just the words. Like you Berta, I can hear sound, but I cannot make out the words. I'm going to ask my primary about a second opinion, or maybe referral to audiology instead of ENT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 The newer models of hearing aides tune in to speech sounds. Not perfectly, but there's definitely a difference between old dodgy aides and good quality new ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plateau Mama Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 If the problem is caused by blocked tubes I don't think hearing aids will help. I know when my son got his he had to see the ent to make sure the problem wasn't a blockage or other medical condition causing the loss. I would get a second opinion from an ENT. An audiologist will tell you if you can hear or not and will send you to the ENT. An audiologist can help you cope but the ENT is who can fix the problem. If the ENT isn't helpful you can try to see an autolaringologist. They specialized in just ears. Our gal is fabulous, but it takes months to get an appointment, even as an established patient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 And as usual, a chiro may help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 If it's a blocked tube problem, wouldn't pe tubes fix it? I'm on my third set of tubes as an adult. The hearing quality difference is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 And as usual, a chiro may help. Yes, seems weird, but a good chiro can help with clearing eustacian tubes. You have find a chiro with some experience though. As with any profession they are not are equal. I'd also see a different ENT. "This is as good as it gets is an unacceptable response." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Do you eat dairy products? Several years ago I was having problems with my ears/sinuses, and it was making me dizzy. For me, giving up dairy products was the cure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessAriel Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I want to second the previous post on dairy products. Since I have cut them out of my diet, most of my lifelong sinus problems have pretty much disappeared. I think it might be worth a try and it may take a while to notice a difference for some people. I certainly do not want to minimize your hearing problems but just wanted to share what I have learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 --- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I will add my voice to those who recommend giving up dairy. I was congested my whole life until I gave up dairy. Within 2 or 3 weeks, it cleared up. I have since returned to eating dairy out of laziness, and the congestion has returned. Time to do it for good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter's Moon Posted December 31, 2013 Author Share Posted December 31, 2013 Due to my insurance, I am not sure that getting a second opinion from another ENT is possible or at all easy. I think I will try cutting dairy first before I explore any further with an audiologist or ENT. Hopefully that will be a fix for the issue, but if not, I will bring up tubes to the ENT. I appreciate the responses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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