Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 5/17/2008

Question
My question is about a recent trauma I had which left me with very little hearing, and loss of about 80% taste.I have hearing only in my right ear since birth, so this is a major thing from me. The hearing cannot be prepared in my left ear due to nerve damage. I fell about 4.5 meters from a tree and was knocked out from what i was told after once I woke in the hospital. I have very little hearing with many tones, and an annoying ringing in my ear. I had draining of the ear in the beginning each night, now very little. It has been about three weeks, and the sounds are slowly becoming muffled a little more each day.

I had an ear trauma many many years ago after diving at a canadian olympic pool. The doctor drained the ear, which was amazingly painful, but within two days I regained full hearing. In this case, there are several inner ear bones broken from what I was told, so they do not want to be sticking anything whatsoever in there. Also, I get popping in the ear, and the entire room I am in goes in circles as though I am on a rollercoaster ride. I also need about 10 minutes to readjust after I wake up due to dizziness. They tested me at the hospital before I left, and it is all due to the trauma of the inner ear which causes this dizziness.
I have to wear a neck brace at night so I limit head movement, and it has helped my sleeping substancially. I was also prescribed Neurobion, which has helped as well.  

As for the loss of taste, the only things that I can taste are sweet. Meat, poultry, fish, potatoes, bread, cake, etc, have no taste, just texture.

I have a great day one day, and then the next day I cannot leave the house at all. I dont overdue it, and I am away from work until the end of the month.  This is a hard time for me as I am a work-a-holic, and love my job.

I live in northeastern Greece, and those of you that know how the system in Greece works will understand that outside help is essential when living here. I hope someone can give me assistance so that I may fix thiese problems a little sooner. The doctors here havent helped a lot, they have been great, but nothing I rememberred like in Canada.

Thank you in advance for your help, and hope to here from you and others soon,

Paul Kramer
BMW Mechanic
Alexandroupolis
Greece

Answer
Hi Paul,
I am sorry to hear of your difficulties.  There is not much I can tell you about your taste disorder as that is outside my expertise.  As for your hearing and balance, it sounds as if you may also have a fistula - a hole - in your inner ear.  Do you know if you have been tested for that?  It can cause hearing loss and dizziness.  Sometimes it heals on its own, sometimes it needs to be patched surgically.  Also, has vestibular therapy been recommended?  I do not know about the Greek health system, but you should ask your doctor if this is available.  It can help you adjust to the dizziness and balance and may alleviate the symptoms. The School of Medicine at the Demokrition University of Thrace in Alexandroupolis can probably guide you to referrals.
Hope this helps.  Good luck.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology