Tinnitus

[explorerzip]

A close friend had tinnitus and found out it was caused by a brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma. It's non-cancerous and slow growing tumor. It presses on the hearing nerve and that causes the tinnitus. The only way you can find out if you have this condition is with a MRI. The tumor will continue to grow as you age, but it's more important to know the growth rate. It's a fairly rare condition affecting about 1 in 100K people, but there is a surgical treatment available. He went to Sunnybrook for the surgery sometime last year. Had to wait a number of months since he wasn't in immediate danger.

He was advised to have it removed because he's still fairly young and can deal with a major surgery. The tumor has to be removed at some point so better to deal with it sooner than later. As you age, it gets harder for the body to heal and to deal with things beings removed from the body. He ended up losing hearing in his left ear because the surgery severed the auditory nerve to get at the tumor. Losing hearing was actually not the biggest worry after the surgery.

When you remove the tumor and sever the nerve, the body suddenly has to compensate for the lack of signals from the left ear. He had a bit of trouble walking while his body re-adjusted. He just had to take his time and walk slowly. He had a cane, but wasn't using it that much. I think he was pretty much fine in about 3 to 4 weeks, but there's no strenuous activity and definitely no driving during that time.

That's why it's better to deal with the surgery when you're younger. When you are older you may have other health problems that complicates or slows down the recovery.

 

[bmwquay]

A close friend had tinnitus and found out it was caused by a brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma. It's non-cancerous and slow growing tumor. It presses on the hearing nerve and that causes the tinnitus. The only way you can find out if you have this condition is with a MRI. The tumor will continue to grow as you age, but it's more important to know the growth rate. It's a fairly rare condition affecting about 1 in 100K people, but there is a surgical treatment available. He went to Sunnybrook for the surgery sometime last year. Had to wait a number of months since he wasn't in immediate danger.

He was advised to have it removed because he's still fairly young and can deal with a major surgery. The tumor has to be removed at some point so better to deal with it sooner than later. As you age, it gets harder for the body to heal and to deal with things beings removed from the body. He ended up losing hearing in his left ear because the surgery severed the auditory nerve to get at the tumor. Losing hearing was actually not the biggest worry after the surgery.

When you remove the tumor and sever the nerve, the body suddenly has to compensate for the lack of signals from the left ear. He had a bit of trouble walking while his body re-adjusted. He just had to take his time and walk slowly. He had a cane, but wasn't using it that much. I think he was pretty much fine in about 3 to 4 weeks, but there's no strenuous activity and definitely no driving during that time.

That's why it's better to deal with the surgery when you're younger. When you are older you may have other health problems that complicates or slows down the recovery.

That is a very sad and scary. Since it's non canerous could he have opted out of having surgery? What would have happened if he had just left it to grow?

 

[explorerzip]

That is a very sad and scary. Since it's non canerous could he have opted out of having surgery? What would have happened if he had just left it to grow?

Not sad at all because he's in his mid-40's and he can still recover fairly quickly. It took about 3 to 4 weeks for him to fully recover. It takes time because the inner ear also controls balance. When you suddenly remove the signal from one of the ears (or any sense organs like eyes, legs, etc.) the body has to compensate. Perhaps you've felt dizzy when you got water in your ear after a shower or swimming? The water in your ear move the hairs in your end and that can make you feel dizzy.

The procedure involves making an incision behind the ear and into the brain. That's the only spot to make an incision as they want to avoid drilling holes into the round part of the skull. He certainly could have left the tumor in for 5, 10, or more years and the body would continue to compensate. He would have had to keep doing MRI's every few years to monitor the growth rate. The problem with leaving it is that it would keep growing and would have caused other problems like facial weakness or paralysis, constant headaches, dizziness, balance. Those are on top of the hearing loss. Those problems are more difficult to deal with when you're older. Your body doesn't heal the same way and it takes longer to get used to a sudden change like removing a tumor.

He will have to do another MRI in a few years to make sure whatever remains does not grow. They left a bit inside as it was tightly wrapped around the brain. It's too risky to remove it all because it could damage the surrounding tissue. If the little part left does grow, then the treatment is to have targeted radiation. They did not recommend radiation as a first treatment as the tumor was fairly large at 3cm in diameter. He would have needed many months of radiation. It would have slowed the growth, but the tumor would still be there and he'd be sick as hell from the process.

Apparently, the actor Mark Ruffalo (Hulk in the Marvel movies) had the same condition.

Just be glad that we have the technology and expertise to treat such a condition fairly easily.

 

[bmwquay]

Not sad at all because he's in his mid-40's and he can still recover fairly quickly. It took about 3 to 4 weeks for him to fully recover. It takes time because the inner ear also controls balance. When you suddenly remove the signal from one of the ears (or any sense organs like eyes, legs, etc.) the body has to compensate. Perhaps you've felt dizzy when you got water in your ear after a shower or swimming? The water in your ear move the hairs in your end and that can make you feel dizzy.

The procedure involves making an incision behind the ear and into the brain. That's the only spot to make an incision as they want to avoid drilling holes into the round part of the skull. He certainly could have left the tumor in for 5, 10, or more years and the body would continue to compensate. He would have had to keep doing MRI's every few years to monitor the growth rate. The problem with leaving it is that it would keep growing and would have caused other problems like facial weakness or paralysis, constant headaches, dizziness, balance. Those are on top of the hearing loss. Those problems are more difficult to deal with when you're older. Your body doesn't heal the same way and it takes longer to get used to a sudden change like removing a tumor.

He will have to do another MRI in a few years to make sure whatever remains does not grow. They left a bit inside as it was tightly wrapped around the brain. It's too risky to remove it all because it could damage the surrounding tissue. If the little part left does grow, then the treatment is to have targeted radiation. They did not recommend radiation as a first treatment as the tumor was fairly large at 3cm in diameter. He would have needed many months of radiation. It would have slowed the growth, but the tumor would still be there and he'd be sick as hell from the process.

Apparently, the actor Mark Ruffalo (Hulk in the Marvel movies) had the same condition.

Just be glad that we have the technology and expertise to treat such a condition fairly easily.

I suppose 1 in 100K makes it not likely. What compelled him to get tested originally? Was it the tinnitus or something else that alarmed him? Did he have any other issues prior to the surgery other than tinnitus?

 

[Kingofgudtime]

It can be cured by Yoga try searching on YouTube yoga for Tinnitus. It will be cured in weeks as this happen to one of my close friend

 

[explorerzip]

I suppose 1 in 100K makes it not likely. What compelled him to get tested originally? Was it the tinnitus or something else that alarmed him? Did he have any other issues prior to the surgery other than tinnitus?

The tinnitus triggered a trip to a hearing clinic and they confirmed some hearing loss in the left ear. Tinnitus doesn't always cause the hearing loss BTW. It's a symptom of other problems. The clinic then referred him to an ENT specialist who then recommended an MRI of the head area. It took two scans because the first one didn't have show enough contrast. He got injected with a contrast agent for the second MR, which revealed the tumor. That's when he was referred to the surgical team at Sunnybrook to discuss options. I think he was in there for 3 days at most.

Your friend may or may not have a tumor, but it's still worth going to the hearing clinic to make sure there's no hearing loss. They'll probably recommended an ENT and then maybe an MRI. All the tests are covered by OHIP, so he may as well check for peace of mind.

 

[bmwquay]

It can be cured by Yoga try searching on YouTube yoga for Tinnitus. It will be cured in weeks as this happen to one of my close friend

If it can be cured by YOGA that would be great. This is the first I've heard. Thanks for this. I'll look for it on youtube.

 

[IM469]

I have it and if I use the following video to find the tone:

It would be 5KHz =impulse (Sound 2)
The volume is low and it doesn't keep me awake. I only become aware of it when the room is quiet and nothing is playing.
I guess it is like my own low level white noise. There is really no such thing as absolute quiet anymore.

 

[bmwquay]

Who should one see for tinnitus, an audiologist or and ENT, both or neither?
Which of these is best for removal of ear wax?
Or just go to GP for ear wax removal?

 

[justincase]

Tinitus isn't cured by removing ear wax. See a GP who can who can diagose whether you have Tinitus.
Once you have it there is not much you can do but to see how bad the hearing limitation is.
An Audiologist can test you so you understand the extent of yorur hearing loss.

 

[explorerzip]

Tinitus isn't cured by removing ear wax. See a GP who can who can diagose whether you have Tinitus.
Once you have it there is not much you can do but to see how bad the hearing limitation is.
An Audiologist can test you so you understand the extent of yorur hearing loss.

Tinnitus - Symptoms and causes

www.mayoclinic.org

"Ear infection or ear canal blockage. Your ear canals can become blocked with a buildup of fluid (ear infection), earwax, dirt or other foreign materials. A blockage can change the pressure in your ear, causing tinnitus."

I would think that you would need a major buildup of fluid, earwax, etc. to cause tinnitus.

 

[explorerzip]

Who should one see for tinnitus, an audiologist or and ENT, both or neither?
Which of these is best for removal of ear wax?
Or just go to GP for ear wax removal?

You can buy ear wax removal kits at the pharmacy. You put drops in your eat for a few minutes, then you flush them out with water. https://www.amazon.ca/Murine-Ear-Wa...678667576&sprefix=ear+wax+drops,aps,87&sr=8-9

If that doesn't work, then you should see your GP who can clean your ears out and refer you to an ENT if needed. You can also go to an audiology clinic to have your hearing checked, though the ENT will likely do that too.

 

[Combat Shock]

I've had it for years, developed it working as bouncer at nightclubs in my 20's with no ear protection. You honestly get used to it, but you won't experience silence the same ever again.

 

[dognutz]

Tinnitus Talk Support Forum

Talk about tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus, hyperacusis, and ear pain with us. Compassionate support with the latest research news and treatment options.

www.tinnitustalk.com

 

[Mrboobs]

Get it checked out. I discovered I have an acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma).

 

[Jenesis]

Had it for years. Horrible condition. Screw the jerks that say "just get a white noise machine" Start with your family doctor. You will be referred to and ENT guy. Hearing will be be tested. Then told no known cause, no known cure.

That is my experience. I have no idea why I comes on. Now idea why it goes away. Stays for a couple of weeks each time. Drives me nuts.

 

[explorerzip]

Get it checked out. I discovered I have an acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma).

That's tough man. I posted earlier about what my friend who also had acoustic neuroma went through. Long story short: he had 95% of the tumor removed and lost hearing in one ear. The recovery time for was about 6 weeks. He has to go in for another MRI 18 months after surgery to check on the growth rate of the tumor. If it's still growing at that time, they'll do radiation therarpy to halt it.

As with any surgery, there are side effects. The surgeons will discuss these with you in detail.

 

[Mrboobs]

That's tough man. I posted earlier about what my friend who also had acoustic neuroma went through. Long story short: he had 95% of the tumor removed and lost hearing in one ear. The recovery time for was about 6 weeks. He has to go in for another MRI 18 months after surgery to check on the growth rate of the tumor. If it's still growing at that time, they'll do radiation therarpy to halt it.

As with any surgery, there are side effects. The surgeons will discuss these with you in detail.

Mine is small and hasn’t grown since I discovered it 4 years ago. Hoping it doesn’t get to that.

 

[explorerzip]

Mine is small and hasn’t grown since I discovered it 4 years ago. Hoping it doesn’t get to that.

What's the diameter of your tumor if you don't mind me asking? I think my friend's tumor was 4 cm: almost the size of a golf ball. That's why they recommended he get it removed. You'll obviously need to monitor it over time. It will have to be excised if it causes balance or other issues.

My friend didn't have any immediate health issues, but it's hard to say what's going to happen later in life. The problem is that in the later years there will lots other health issues and the body can't recover from major surgery as quickly.

 

[Mrboobs]

What's the diameter of your tumor if you don't mind me asking? I think my friend's tumor was 4 cm: almost the size of a golf ball. That's why they recommended he get it removed. You'll obviously need to monitor it over time. It will have to be excised if it causes balance or other issues.

My friend didn't have any immediate health issues, but it's hard to say what's going to happen later in life. The problem is that in the later years there will lots other health issues and the body can't recover from major surgery as quickly.

That’s big,
Mine is at 4 mm