tinnitus Curious About Questions At Audiology Visit

[coastie72]

Last July I was given a C&P for hearing loss and tinnitus. The results were 10% for tinnitus and 0% for hearing SC. The doctor did recommend trying hearing aids which I agreed to. So in December I was scheduled for a audiologist appointment for today. The nice lady Dr. ask me why I was their and I responded hopefully to get some help with my hearing.

She referred back to the C&P exam and from what was done then agreed that hearing aids would help.

So we began the complete exam, everything exactly as was performed by my C&P examiner back in July.

Then what I thought was most interesting, When she was done, while still over the microphone, she said that we were done but she needed me to answer 10 questions as honest as possible.

I can't recall exactly what the all were but the answer she was looking for was either a YES, Somewhat, or Not at all.

All 10 questions were about how tinnitus effects me. Here are a few I can recall, maybe not exact but close. Does tinnitus keep you from going to sleep? Does tinnitus interfere with your ability to concentrate. Does tinnitus cause you stress. Does tinnitus interfere with your ability to communicate. Does tinnitus effect you in the workplace. Does tinnitus depress you.

I can't recall the other question's and nothing more was said about them......I answered YES to all........I'm wondering if the VA is looking at the possibility of a higher than 10% rating for tinnitus or if not wonder what they could be about?

My hearing aids will be here in 6 weeks.

Okay Experts?

[carlie]

Last July I was given a C&P for hearing loss and tinnitus. The results were 10% for tinnitus and 0% for hearing SC. The doctor did recommend trying hearing aids which I agreed to. So in December I was scheduled for a audiologist appointment for today. The nice lady Dr. ask me why I was their and I responded hopefully to get some help with my hearing.

She referred back to the C&P exam and from what was done then agreed that hearing aids would help.

So we began the complete exam, everything exactly as was performed by my C&P examiner back in July.

Then what I thought was most interesting, When she was done, while still over the microphone, she said that we were done but she needed me to answer 10 questions as honest as possible.

I can't recall exactly what the all were but the answer she was looking for was either a YES, Somewhat, or Not at all.

All 10 questions were about how tinnitus effects me. Here are a few I can recall, maybe not exact but close. Does tinnitus keep you from going to sleep? Does tinnitus interfere with your ability to concentrate. Does tinnitus cause you stress. Does tinnitus interfere with your ability to communicate. Does tinnitus effect you in the workplace. Does tinnitus depress you.

I can't recall the other question's and nothing more was said about them......I answered YES to all........I'm wondering if the VA is looking at the possibility of a higher than 10% rating for tinnitus or if not wonder what they could be about?

My hearing aids will be here in 6 weeks.

Okay Experts?

They might have started asking these questions to provide development for

IU for some vets.

jmho

[Vync]

Hey Coastie,

I am SC for tinnitus and can definitely tell you that mine does cause problems with going to sleep. The VA Audiologist issued me a white noise machine and it really helps. It took a couple of months to get it ordered, but it has made a difference. I wanted to share this with you because it might be helpful.

[coastie72]

Vync,

We spoke a little about a white noise machine, but both my wife and I use CPAP machines that create some noise as well.

The doctor didn't seem to think it would offer me much help.

My tinnitus absolutely invades my life in every way it seems. It is a major part of my depression for certain, it is like a pain that never leaves.

For all of those including you Vync I hope the VA is looking to compensate more for this horrible condition. There was a time many years ago that I could sometimes just block it

out mentally, not now!!!

[Vync]

Hey Coastie,

I also use a Philips Respironics System One CPAP machine (when I can keep it on my face all night), which is a really nice CPAP/BIPAP model and it is also kinda noisy. The VA gave me a Marsona 1288A white noise machine that has a bunch of options. You can also crank the volume up on the machine and literally hear it down the hall. You can also hook up external speakers. My VA audiologist actually gave me an extension cord and some pillow speakers that you can put under the pillow so sound comes from beneath. It also has a 1 hour timer button so it will turn off after you (hopefully) have fallen asleep. I got a second machine and use it at work.

One odd side effect of using the device is that my wife used to be completely frightened of thunderstorms. There is a thunderstorm setting on it that is totally amazing. Now my wife sleeps through thunderstorms and her fear is completely gone. Additionally, we both find it hard to sleep without the machine going. Although I don't really sleep much, at least she gets some benefit out of it.

I hate to say it, but I doubt the VA ever will give more than a 10% rating for tinnitus. I wish they would reconsider, but tinnitus is more of a subjective disability. Basically, they can't see it or hear it, but if the nexus evidence is there they at might take your word for it. I think that a 10% rating is lucky.

[Buck52]

I understand what you mean coastie72 I have 10% SC tinnitus real bad too

.

it about drives me crazy I can't find anything that mask it, I wish they would up the rating for it because it does drive a veteran to depression mood swings ect,,ect,, if they raised the rating for tinnitus would the vets that been rated 10% get it as well?

My pcp said my hearing loss and tinnitus is why I have depression. so she prescribe me depression meds.

Some times an audiologist will ask questions while the veteran is still in the sound booth with headphones on it makes it easier to communicate I suppose?

they never ask me questions like that must be new? just the regular hearing test that and did the Maryland cna word decimation test & bone the air induction test.

Good Luck with your claim bud!

..................................Buck!

[georgiapapa]

I have severe tinnitus. When I am in a room without background noise, it sounds like there are thousands of crickets in the room. I have used a white noise machine for over 45 years and can not sleep without one. I usually have mine set on the waterfall or ocean waves. I don't use the trickling stream setting because it seems to activate my bladder all during the night. I am in total agreement that a higher rating should be given for tinnitus because it can drive a person nuts. JMO

GP

[coastie72]

I just felt the questions as curious, apparently they must be something new since no one else has said anything about them being asked.

They were being read, not just random, so maybe they are taking a stronger look at an awful, for some, disease.

[boomer2]

Coastie

I was part of a study the VA did on tinnitus and it lasted about 9 months. All of the questions you posted were a part of the study. I spoke with a VA audiologist and a physc doc. They do have some good ideas about how to keep the ringing from bothering you. Mine is extremely loud but I have lived with it for over 40 years. When they gave me HA's they said that should help quieten the tinnitus it did but only a little bit. You will never get more than 10% for it. You can get depression Sc'd as secondary to the tinnitus.

[coastie72]

Thanks Boomer, I have MDD secondary to tinnitus and also PTSD stand alone.

Mine too is very loud, I was just hoping for the sake of others that maybe they were doing a study that

might make it more than 10% for some. It really should be IMHO.

Coastie

[Buck52]

I sleep with a fan running that seems to help a little but very little, before I knew what tinnitus was I just assumed I was hearing crickets frogs on a creek bank some place, when my tinnitus is exceptional loud it sounds like a high voltage hum and it drive me nuts! . celling fans don't help ..> I use a table fan.

the machines never helped me I got one a marsona thanks to Vymc But it don't help me any.. my spouse uses it tho.

Buck!

Edited March 6, 2015 by Buck52 (see edit history)

[coastie72]

Mine is a high pitched scream sounds much like a house alarm warning sounds before it goes off...just much louder. The pitch changes around some too, sometimes making a whooshing noise shoey shoey shoey repeating real fast . It has driven me nuts.

[carlie]

I understand what you mean coastie72 I have 10% SC tinnitus real bad too

.

it about drives me crazy I can't find anything that mask it, I wish they would up the rating for it because it does drive a veteran to depression mood swings ect,,ect,, if they raised the rating for tinnitus would the vets that been rated 10% get it as well?

My pcp said my hearing loss and tinnitus is why I have depression. so she prescribe me depression meds.

Some times an audiologist will ask questions while the veteran is still in the sound booth with headphones on it makes it easier to communicate I suppose?

they never ask me questions like that must be new? just the regular hearing test that and did the Maryland cna word decimation test & bone the air induction test.

Good Luck with your claim bud!

..................................Buck!

I do not feel that at any time the vba schedule for Tinnitus will increase more than the current

10 percent cap.

SC for depression, secondary to Tinnitus can be achieved with medical evidence

that contains full medical rational, in support of it.

[Buck52]

I Agree with ya Ms Carlie I don't think they will ever increase the rate for tinnitus over the 10% current rate but I would hope they would consider 10% for each ear

some times I hear a crushing blowing sound like how a kitchen Match sounds when you strike it and a trickle sound ever now and then along with the cricket sounds usually at night is worse...but just sitting here on the lap top all I hear is that high voltage humm

putting my hands over my ears or fingers in my ears and the sound intensify...so tinnitus has to be inside our heads some way?

I wish they would find a cure.

...........Buck!

[coastie72]

I too wish there was a cure. Mine varies some but the volume of it is pretty constant. I agree it should be considered for bilateral Buck as some people only hear it on one side. But honest to God I would rather have a more serious hearing loss than I do, currently SC 0% and only get 10% than have the tinnitus. Hearing loss can be helped with aids.........Nothing helps the tinnitus. The effects of it for some of us is grossly underrated in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the 10%, but one shoe don't fit all.

[TiredCoastie]

Hey, Shipmate! Glad you got in with the audiologist. The hearing aids will only take a couple of weeks to arrive. If you can with your schedule, see if you can get a cancellation appointment about 3 weeks from now. It will take about an hour to set the aids up to match your hearing test results, personal comfort level, etc.

I don't know how much they will help with the tinnitis. My tinnitis is not as bad as others are describing, so my aids help some. But just reading about everyone's difficulties...now my ears are screaming that high pitched bunch of supercrickets.