Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 10/23/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello, On 9/28/08 I experience an episode of dizziness that lasted about 15mins, my tongue felt funny, my ears felt strange. I went to the ER...(I had been sick since 9/12 with Tracheitis. Was taking Azithromycin. ER told me I was dehydrated. Gave me fluids & sent me home. Next day I woke up w/faint ringing in ears and they felt full. That was 3wks ago today. I have seen 2 ENT's first one did an audiogram said I had less than 1% hearing loss, I should not think about the ringing and wants to do a hearing test in 6wks. I went to a second opinion. He did a pressure test, said I had pressure in left ear, and only a bit in right ear. He asked for my audiogram to be sent to him, also said he felt it was the virus not the meds. that caused this and that the tinnitus would stop once my body heals. He said if infact the hearing loss was less than 1% it should be ok. Today he read the audiogram, said there is that percentage of hearing loss but would like to do a BSER test on Friday to check for nerve damage. He told me on 10/10 didnt believe there was nerve damage because of the pressure in my middle ear. Does he want to do this test because I still have the ringing? Or is he changing his mind? The ringing has stopped to just about nothing on 3 occasions but started up again. I look forward to hearing from you. BTW, I am still dealing with the URI, but its much, much better.
Thank you! Wendy

ANSWER: Hi Wendy,
Your ENT is absolutely correct in ordering the BSER.  Dizziness and tinnitus have many causes.  They may be caused by fluid build-up in the middle ear, but they can also be caused by damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve.  Since these are new symptoms, the ENT must rule out the latter possibilities. Even with normal hearing, there can still be damage to the auditory nerve.  The BSER is the test that will give the ENT information about any damage to the nerve.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your response. Would it be possible to have tinnitus for 3wks if it is fluid build-up or inflammation? I feel like I have to pop my ears alot. When i wake up in the morning, the ringing is very faint.
Again, thank you for your support! Wendy (I will def. rate your response/help when I am through!)

Answer
Hi Wendy,
Yes, it is possible to have the tinnitus that long especially after viral infections and/or inflammation. Sometimes the tinnitus will even last for awhile after the fluid dissipates. Antibiotics do not clear up the fluid; they only rid the bacteria.  Did he also prescribe a nasal spray of any kind?  Sometimes decongestants or steroidal nasal sprays can help to open the ears and rid the fluid.  Unfortunately, we can still have damage to the delicate structures of the ear without any hearing loss.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology