Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 8/14/2008

Question
i have a 100% loss of hearing in my right ear.about 18 years ago i had a battery of tests and an mri.the doctors at lehey clinic said my dizzyness will go away but there is nothing they could do about the hearing loss.about 2 years ago i started getting loud noises in my ears.some days are good,but alot of days i can't even understand simple conversation.the ringing is so loud.i have a real hard time just talking on the phone.i had another MRI (ok) and the expert at UMASS medical said there is nothing he could do.how come i can have about 6 days where the noise is almost gone then it comes back?

Answer
Hi Bruce,
Tinnitus is a dynamic occurrence.  Although it may be the result of nerve damage, there are other factors that can either make it worse or better. Sometimes stress can make it worse, sometimes just being tired can make it worse.  Other times, if you are "busy" and not thinking of it, you may not even notice it.  It is also possible that the nerves that are causing the tinnitus have fatigued. If it is bothersome, that is, it interferes with your life, there are several non-medical treatments. Here are two website that may provide some good information: The American Tinnitus Association http://ata.org/ and Neuromonics http://www.neuromonics.com/
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology