Answer the Phone, or is that Tinnitus Calling?

[Mongo]

Maybe old Mongo needs to go to the doctor...the rining in my ears is getting WAY out of control.  Here's a little food for thought...for your ears, that is:


Hearing Loss and Hepatitis C
C.D. Mazoff, PhD, Managing Editor


If you keep up with the Hep C online support groups, chances are, sooner or later, you will hear somebody talking about “tinnitus,” or ringing in the ears, and other hearing problems.  Tinnitus and hearing loss can be caused by many things – certain medications, pressure on the auditory nerve, blood flow problems, obstructions to the inner ear, and autoimmune activity.   A quick search through PubMed or Google reveals a few scholarly articles on tinnitus and/or hearing loss caused by interferon treatment; however, hearing loss and/or tinnitus caused by interferon usually subsides soon after treatment ends.

Unfortunately some people with hepatitis C report that their hearing problems did not go away after they stopped treatment; so if the interferon didn’t cause it, what did?

There are quite a few autoimmune-related conditions that have tinnitus, and/or hearing loss as part of the symptoms.  Some of these are: fibromyalgia, thyroid disorders, depression, and Meniere’s disease, which can be autoimmune, genetic or idiopathic (cause unknown).

Meniere’s disease also causes episodes of vertigo, where you may feel that you are falling even when lying down and that the world is spinning so quickly that it makes you want to vomit.  A search on Google for “Interferon and Vertigo” produces quite a few hits.

Vertigo can also be caused by an unknown virus (viral labyrinthitis), which inflames the part of the inner ear that controls balance, or it can be caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in the vestibular ganglion, where information on linear acceleration and the influence of gravitational pull is processed.   

Sometimes a visit to your doctor can help you if your vertigo is caused by particles floating in the inner ear chamber.  The doctor may use the canalith repositioning procedure.  This is a series of movements performed in your doctor’s office to move particles from the fluid-filled canals of your inner ear into the utricle (a small sac in the labyrinth).

In some people, the vertigo becomes so bad that surgery is necessary; however the upshot of the surgery is usually permanent hearing loss in the affected ear.

In any case, if you have ringing in your ears that doesn’t go away, try picking up the phone . . . and if that doesn’t work, go see your doctor.

[DougV]

Hmmm, I have hep and excellent hearing.  My wife has tinnitus and sometimes seems to loose all hearing in the exact sound spectrum that my voice falls into.  So I think there is another excellent example of cause and effect.

Doug

[willy]

Hearing Loss and Hepatitis C
C.D. Mazoff, PhD, Managing Editor

  A quick search through PubMed or Google reveals a few scholarly articles on tinnitus and/or hearing loss caused by interferon treatment; however, hearing loss and/or tinnitus caused by interferon usually subsides soon after treatment ends.

Unfortunately some people with hepatitis C report that their hearing problems did not go away after they stopped treatment; so if the interferon didn’t cause it, what did?

I'm no doctor...... but this seems like a daring leap of faith to announce or conclude that SOC didn't cause the tinnitus. 

There are quite a few autoimmune-related conditions that have tinnitus, and/or hearing loss as part of the symptoms.  Some of these are: fibromyalgia, thyroid disorders, depression, and Meniere’s disease, which can be autoimmune, genetic or idiopathic (cause unknown).

They then conclude that tinnitus and other hearing problems are caused by auto-immune issues.  It is a well known fact that chemotherapy can cause auto-immune issues.  It says so right in the black box warnings that come with the drugs.  Am I mistaken?

Untreated HCV can also cause auto-immune issues, so I am not laying blame completely on TX but I question whether it is right to dismiss the (likely) possibility that some of these hearing disorders were caused by treatment.

If this is not the case I'm not sure that the article makes it clear why it is so, or it wasn't apparent to me.

best,
Willy

[Pancho and Lefty]

Kerry,

Thought about you and this subject today. . .  all day. Got a power steering pump squealing like hell and it about drove me nuts. It interesting how certain high pitched sounds can be totally nerve wracking while being almost discrete. Got it right now. . . wonder if it's tinnitus or a mental memory of that godawful steering pump???

I'm finding the combo of age and the general encroaching decrepitude tend to make it feel like there's always something rattling around loose somewhere. And, time isn't really on my side anymore.     Guess I'm looking at just taking good care of whatever I have left.

If everything were perfect, we wouldn't get to have this forum.

take care brother

PS I wonder if this could be a reason some people must have some type of background/interference noise? I'm checking my blood pressure to make sure that isn't doing it.

[Betty W.]

I am one of the unlucky ones that have Meniere's , and have had some hearing loss with it. My ears ring or buzz like crickets all the time an sometimes they change tunes !A change in barometric pressure can at times make me very dizzy and at times VERY nauseated.I go to the doctor and h gives me a shot and I will sleep the day away....At night I sleep with a fan or sound machine...don't notice it much during the day. Guess I have gotten use to it....I sympathizie with anyone with tinnitis it ain't fun......Betty

[pete c]

 Hey  Kerry

  When was the last time you had your hearing check? since you  have been off of TX , if you can afford it  this may be a way of narrowing down the cause,  What you say  could you speak up  .

I had my hearing testd when still at work  and found i half 50% hearing lost in left ear, Now after being on TX   I have foud no ringing my
ear , This may be due to the fact i put it on vibrate  . Hey seriously   hope it all works out for you . There may be another cause that you have not thought of  and this is ,Some times after being married  men have trouble  hearing .
Hang in there brother.

                                                            PETE

[KatNyerHAT]

What the heck???  I was just talking to Robin about this a week ago.  I need to get to the tx forum more often.  I have lost hearing recently in my left ear, so not from tx.  No ringing, just the vertigo and not really too bad, so no surgery for me but will see my physician tomorrow, so I'll discuss with with him.

Sure hope the ringing stops for you, Mongo!

Hugs,
Kat

[Mongo]

I'm ten months post, and the ringing is loud as ever...the up-side is, I seem to be able to mute out the noise 18 year olds make when they speak...

[DougV]

I seem to be able to mute out the noise 18 year olds make when they speak...

Oh so this isn't a side effect this is a benefit, no problem, I'll email where to send the check.

Sincerely,

Dr. FeelGoodRUs

[Hank's mom]

Kerry -

So THAT'S why you haven't answered your phone, and I thought you were just ignoring it - sheesh!  It's nice to see you roll in - been awhile my friend.

Have you tried closing the door when 18-yr-olds blather? I find this or driving away from the source is the best solution.

Seriously, the only time I have had any NEW, (ha ha) deafness or ringing was when I was faint - luckily, it's been awhile since that happened. It is one of the clues I get so I pay attention and get help or whatever before I actually go down. That has been the case, pre, during, and post.

Be well and remember, nothing smaller than an elbow in your ear for cleaning or exploration.

Susie

[MissyMouse]

Wooooo Hooooooooooo Kerry/Mongo!!!!!!!! 

WELCOME FRIGGING HOME!  You have no clue how much you have been  missed around here.


Mouse

[Betty W.]

 Kerry, It is wonderful that you posted....I hope that it means you are back....I have missed you so very much....

I hope that all is well. Betty

[Mongo]

Hello...

I'm desperate to find just the right words, but words escape me.

So let's just try feelings for a minute.

I hate this virus so very very completely, that I just couldn't face it any more.   I don't know denial from Denali, but I just had to "not be sick" for a while.  Not being sick was cool.  I enjoyed "not sick".  "Not sick" is like my first Thanksgiving dinner at the "Grown-up" table.  "Not sick" is WAY better than my 1st trip to Disneyland.  Not sick is better than a touchdown when the cute cheerleader was watching...


It's going to take a while to get caught up with everyone.  Hello.

I'm kerry...and i still have HCV.  But I'm not sick.

Oh, and a smile....

[Hank's mom]

Maybe we should start a "Not Sick" space of it's own, hmmmm... Might be interesting.

Take your time Kerry - we'll be happy to take what you are up for giving us.

Susie

[DougV]

Hmmm, dunno, got to give some serious consideration on the cheerleader watching touchdown pass one, can I get back to you on that one later?  And just how cute is she? 

Sick, though, hmmm, guess I'm sick, but to be sure is mental illness included or excluded?  That's kind of important in my case.

Oh yeah, got distracted.....

Nice to see ya back.

Doug