redrover:
Carrspaints,
I wish I had some help for you. All I have is sympathy as from diving knowledge gained after; I think I suffered a hyper-exertion incident.
I was snorkeling in a tight neoprene wetsuit and being a geek was probably paddling big time from excitement in a new situation (night and far out to see Mantas.) I think it occurred when I snorted in some water in the surface chop (poorly fitting mask needing frequent clearing and not knowing how to do it better.)
I too was stone deaf, in my right ear, and thought it was just a sinus thing but did not improve. I did see my primary and then a good ENT and neurologist (there are no diving physicians here, at least to my knowledge) all baffled at the circumstances and result.
I went on Prednisone for a total of 6 weeks. I did get some improvement, more with increased dose. I was not getting a lot of sympathy from physicians until I showed a recent hearing test (pre-employment physical just prior to the event) and able to document significant hearing loss. It was exceptionally good prior to the event. Post testing showing just not so great hearing. Basically a loss of hearing but didnt really reflect how much I could not understand and was considered no big deal, Id get used to it ant not even notice.
I also was given similar possible causes for the loss and no real ones.
It sounds like you have suffered more trauma than I. After the initial treatment or approximately 3 months later; I could hear but not understand voices. Closing the good ear what I heard sounded like it was very far away and in a tunnel with a lot of distortion. I could not use a phone with that ear understanding nothing, and there was a persistent buzzing, hissing noise and my equilibrium noticeably affected. I could not tell the direction of any sound and had to turn my head to hear something well enough to understand what it was.
So, I really empathize that a sudden profound hearing loss is very disturbing. No one medical really did, but I persisted in complaining and was sent for a MRI. This unfortunately/fortunately showed another problem completely unrelated to my hearing loss. Any further complaints were then dismissed due to the new finding being a bigger issue.
Now 6 years later I still grieve for the loss of hearing in that ear. It is not really noticeable to other people as many at my age have hearing loss. The buzzing and hissing have gone away. I can use the phone to that ear enough to be on hold then switch. I have trouble hearing quiet speakers, certain sounds or words are not understandable and I often need several repetitions, move much closer to the speaker and turn my head for the good ear. I noticed a marked difference when my desk location changed and now my bad ear faces my co-workers. Just yesterday someone was able to do an activity inches away from my R side I was unaware of definitely not possible 6 years ago. My equilibrium is ok.
I learned to dive just 9 months ago and have had no problems whatsoever. I did have the expected equalization problems initially but feel I rapidly learned how to do it and equalize easily so far. Of note though, I do not hear my computer alarms unless held up to my good ear. I have only been around one diver with a loud enough one I could hear (he complained it was really annoying, it must have been for him if I could hear it clearly.)
I was thinking of asking the Dive Medicine guys about it so Im glad you have done so and hope they may have some insight.
I sincerely hope you get more improvement.
RedRover, thanks for your reply. I sincerely hope that the "bigger issue" you referred to has been resolved?
I've done exhaustive research on the internet regarding my isssue and there is loads of information that really tells me nothing....frustrating. But what I have picked up is that diving "may" affect hearing over time, for certain individuals...these are reports based on both civilian and military divers who were assessed over several years. Many suffer from tinitus, some suffer from an inability to hear certain frequencies etc. The various reports associate the ear squeeze, or increased pressure divers are subjected to as the probable cause. I'm not anti-diving because of these reports, not even sure if they are scientifically correct....I just have to be extra vigilant in my case. Apparently, my good ear is at 70% of hearing capacity so what I have left I cannot risk losing by diving, or other.
I was placed on a 10 day course of Prednisone (5mg tablets, 4 tablets - 3 times a day) but this was 2 weeks after the incident. The 1st ENT guy I saw in Mexico
DID NOT put me on Prednisone, just blood thinning and circulation tablets. My UK ENT was dissapointed and right now, so too am I. The only "slight" improvement I have had was whilst taking Prednisone.
I called my ENT chap the other day to tell him my course of Prednisone was about to run out and asked if I could get a repeat prescription. He told me no need. I wonder????
I hope I don't appear to critical to readers of these posts but my opinion of Ear, Nose & Throat specialists is not very high. This is not just based on my experience but also from almost every forum post I have read on the internet. These "Doctors" get paid fat cat salaries and do very little for what is a MAJOR problem. 4 tests - sorry, 5 tests is all they seem capable of. (1) that tuning fork thing (2) sticking a light in the ear to look at the ear drum (3) applying air pressure to the drum to check for ....not sure (4) hearing test (5) MRI. When results are negative, it's the "sorry to say but the prognosis is not good...come basck in 3 months and we'll take it from there". The next time I hear that line, I'll be dragging the quack over his desk! I don't need a tuning fork or audio test to tell me I'm deaf! If I put on walkman cd headphones and can hear nothing, except some distorted low volume, low frequency noise...it's a no brainer.
I hope the ScubaDoc gets to read this. Even if he can't help, at least I'll know.
I empathise regarding your comment on direction. I cannot figure out where most sounds are coming from. My cell phone could be right behind me but it'll take me a while to pinpoint location when it rings. And this dazed sensation....not sure if that is because of my hearing problem....but it's been 4 weeks and whilst it's improved, still feel slightly dazed.
Wish you well RedRover and thanks for your reply.
