02-05-2015, 05:44 PM
11
Re: Angry & Confused!
We had to go to see MIL in London today so that took my mind of my problems.The popping sensation seems to have returned but to me it seems that I've got fluid in my middle ear that cannot seem to drain away completely.
I have no idea what's causing this and now it seems neither do the Doctors.
As I've said before, I'm not medically trained but I do have an enquiring mind and I have found now that there are serious bacteria that can get into the middle ear and can cause all kinds of damage to the Cochlear if untreated, damage that could also be blamed on noise damage.
Ordinarily bacteria should not be able to get into the middle ear but as many people do know, a cold or 'flu can effect hearing so there is a way in via the Eustachian tube.
The Eustachian tube is normally closed but opens when we swallow, yawn or chew.
This allows air to flow into the middle ear and any mucus to flow out.
This keeps the air pressure equal either side of the eardrum.
Having equal air pressure on each side of the eardrum and the middle ear free of mucus, helps the eardrum to vibrate and this vibration is needed for us to hear properly.
I've read today that bacteria is known to attack the fine hairs in the Cochlear, especially those that appear weaker or "sickly".
For all I know that could have happened to me.
When I was first diagnosed with Hearing Loss in the 90s they asked about any family history and I told them my sister had to have operations to cure her balance problems and our father had a constant problem with cysts in the ears and also had to have his ear syringed-out every three months.
None of that was acted upon or investigated and I didn't know as I am not an expert; I relied on experts to help me.
Looks like that could have been a big mistake but how was I to know?
I just want answers now.
In a month I'm starting the process towards a Cochlear Implant so I need those answers now. stevmk2
02-05-2015, 05:55 PM
12
Re: Angry & Confused!
I can well understand that Steve, they need to get you the help you needed years ago and sort this out. Sounds very much to me like you have been very much let down by the NHS and you will need to be very strong with them to get the answers as they tend to close ranks when they know something has gone wrong.02-05-2015, 07:25 PM
13
Re: Angry & Confused!
I get popping in one ear. It's intermittent, sometimes for weeks on end when it drives me nuts, & sometimes disappears for months. I saw a specialist & he said it was a nerve getting into a spasm, bit like those eyelid twitches you get sometimes, and that if it got so it was driving me insane he could cut the nerve. No downsides except your eardrum is less protected from really loud noise so no standing next to the speakers at rock concerts.03-05-2015, 05:50 PM
14
Re: Angry & Confused!
Originally Posted by Julie1962
->
Sounds very much to me like you have been very much let down by the NHS and you will need to be very strong with them to get the answers as they tend to close ranks when they know something has gone wrong.
I can't go into details because someone has contacted me via email from a place that has my medical records to tell me about something about to do with my case but I can't mention it as this person has asked me specifically not to do so until I am contacted again.
Closing ranks is only the half of it. stevmk2
03-05-2015, 11:47 PM
15
Re: Angry & Confused!
Steve, when I said back in post 7 about applying to view medical records, I had to do this for access to Mum's records. A friend of mine is a retired GP and I asked her to come with me, we had to go to a place on the outskirts of Kettering.If you need help, may I suggest you look up the PALS people (Patient Advice and Liaison Service). They were so good to me, and pointed me in the right direction for the right way to go about a complaint, and where to start first. That's what they do. There is a PALS service operating at Milton Keynes Hospital (that's near you I think?), but you could google it to make sure.
Twice they have helped me with handling serious complaints and it's free advice too. Give it a try. Good luck.
05-05-2015, 06:16 PM
17
Re: Angry & Confused!
Originally Posted by Mups
->
Steve, when I said back in post 7 about applying to view medical records, I had to do this for access to Mum's records. A friend of mine is a retired GP and I asked her to come with me, we had to go to a place on the outskirts of Kettering.If you need help, may I suggest you look up the PALS people (Patient Advice and Liaison Service). They were so good to me, and pointed me in the right direction for the right way to go about a complaint, and where to start first. That's what they do. There is a PALS service operating at Milton Keynes Hospital (that's near you I think?), but you could google it to make sure.
Twice they have helped me with handling serious complaints and it's free advice too. Give it a try. Good luck.
08-05-2015, 04:22 PM
19
Re: Angry & Confused!
Went to see the original Doctor today and found out a few things.Firstly, the swab was tested at the NHS for infections and found to be clear - that much we knew but it seems that two cultures were taken too and it was the second one that indicated a bacteriological infection in the Middle Ear.
The 'phone call from the hospital - Yes, it did happen - was to inform the 2nd Doctor of the results of the culture.
It was THAT that prompted him to prescribe the second Ear drops to cover his - er - error but he neglected to check whether the listed side effects could possibly impinge on my reduced hearing capability, which is why Doctor No.3 said Don't Take 'Em unless I had a discharge or severe pain in that ear.
The Doctor that I saw today checked my left ear and said my tympanic membrane, (eardrum) has a small hole in it.
She asked whether I use cotton buds and I explained that I do BUT following the guidance of MK Audiology, I am very careful and NEVER go deep as know it could cause damage.
The 2nd Doctor used a long probe for the sample he took after he checked my eardrum and it actually hurt - I said so at the time, but of course I can't prove anything now.
I now have to take another course of antibiotics as not only is there damage to my eardrum but also there is a build-up of infection that is actually visible.
I have to wait now for an ENT Appointment because the infection notes from the Hospital indicate a long-term problem that could have been addressed long ago had someone thought to refer me to ENT.
The infection indicates a possible Streptococcus pneumoniae infection that could have caused problems in my left cochlear.
This infection could be mistaken for noise damage to the Cochlear Hair Cells as it is exactly the same type of visible damage but the origins could be a biological infection that actually attacks those hair cells that appear damaged or weak.
This in turn indicates a possible scenario where I have had this infection for some time but it has gone undetected as I was not referred to ENT - ever.
This does me no good whatsoever so I am trying NOT to dwell on it as it's pointless.
I have another course of antibiotics to take so I will see how that goes.
The Doctor said that my right is is not affected and is "normal" despite the fact hat I can barely hear in the ear.
The one good bit of news now is that the NHS Cochlear Implant Team have already indicated to my Doctor that i am a suitable candidate for an implant.
The only thing that bothers me now is what if they had found this infection sooner? stevmk2
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