Eardrum replacement
 

Anyone ever have an eardrum replacement? I go in tomorrow for one early am. Out the same day. As I understand it, they take a little flap of skin/membrane off the skull behind the ear then go in thru an incision behind the ear while looking down the ear canal to place it. No heavy activity for 3 weeks so you don.t pressurize the inner ear thru the Eustachian tube and push the new drum loose. I'll post results. its amazing what they can do.

Re: Eardrum replacement
 

Will something like that stop the constant hissing in my head?????????????????????

Re: Eardrum replacement
 

Will it stop the voices in my head?

Re: Eardrum replacement
 

Sorry, but this doesn't seem to help the hissing or the voices. I still have both. The anesthesia kicked my butt. I have only had it twice before and came right out of it. Felt like I could have driven home. Not this time. Surgery was 7:30 to 9:30 am and at noon I was still feeling it. Wouldn't have wanted to drive last night. Surgery is fairly simple I guess. They lift a flap of skin up above the ear and take a piece of membrane off the skull. Then they make a cut from behind the ear into the canal and look down in and somehow attach the membrane where the eardrum goes. Light duty for 3 weeks. Ear may be numb for a while which I don't think happened but do seem to have some taste loss on that side. May come back. Won't know how the new drum works for a while. Go back in a week for a followup.
Ed, I have asked before about the hissing/ringing and doesn't seem to be much to do about it. I read that years ago someone even had the nerves cut and lost hearing but not the noise.
Billy, I'm afraid a different type of Doc is needed for the voices, but if they are not steering you wrong, maybe you should just listen to them. Never hurts to have another opinion.

Re: Eardrum replacement
 

No but a little rum goes a long way in taming restless spirits, works for me anyway.

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You beat me to it Billy! I don't mind all the voices but when 72 virgins call me at one time it gets kinda loud! Jim


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Re: Eardrum replacement
 

Seriously here is a video that my Fire Dept. did about hearing loss in the fire service and what you can do to protect from it. It also explains the workings of the inner ear and why some hearing loss is for ever! I know it's a little long (14 min.) but it's well worth it. Jim

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater


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Re: Eardrum replacement
 

I can see how that would be kinda neat for about the first 6 to 8, but around 10 I would be looking for a pro.

Re: Eardrum replacement
 

Jim
Most of us in racing didn't and don't take proper measures to protect our ears. I started with NHRA on the starting line in 1970 and no one wore any ear protection. Years between fuel cars did take its toll and I don't remember if I knew better back then or I was just young and dumb.
My eardrum tear was caused during the treatment for a fungal infection but tests reveal some high frequency loss and the ear MD was able to see the tiny bones behind the drum thru the tear and there was some degradation. I only showed around 30% loss from ear to ear with the tear but what also was missing was the ability to triangulate. If I was in the den and my cell phone was somewhere else I couldn't tell which room it was ringing in without turning my head. Couldn't tell where any sounds came from. For what I put my ears thru over the years my hearing is still pretty good, not that the wife would agree with that. I do wear plugs or cover my ears on the starting line now.
I could have opted for no repair but that would require lots of care not to get water in that ear and not sure that's possible with grandkids and a pool.

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I was watching this thread due to suffering from the "ear crickets" too. Ambulance sirens since 1978, and back in the day they were directly overhead on the cab, you yelled back and forth to your partner while on a run. I have not heard of any help for the buzzing. I have tinnitus as well as hearing loss. I have looked at herbal stuff but I have never had enough faith to spend the money on it to see. It takes a pretty good while to see results. I use earplugs to try to protect what is left of my hearing. engines, air wrench, .22 rifle, using a hammer, lawn mower,etc. I cringe when I see parents that bring little ones to the race W/O ear protection and have them near the starting line. Don Jackson

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You are so right Don. I spent 33 years in the Fire Service (retired 12 years ago) and have had the problems you describe for about 20 years. No cures! Nothing has worked for me. Jim

Re: Eardrum replacement
 

Just an update
Went in for a 3 week check up and there was a little spot that didn't close. Gave it 3 more weeks and still not closed. The Dr opens a drawer and pulls out a package of Zig-Zag papers. I'm thinking...Cool, maybe this stuff will be better than the anesthesia .... but he tells me that he is going to take a small piece and cover the hole flat to give a form for the cells to grow on and close the hole. I had about 70% hearing in that ear then. I go back on the 22nd to check on the hole. Still have a little taste problem. I call it a sweet aftertaste and he asked if it was a metallic taste, maybe. Still says it will go away. Ruins the taste is Salsa.
Now on the 9th its skin cancer removal on my cheek. Not that cheek.
As my Dad used to say...Getting old ain't for sissys.

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Stewart, I've talked to you in the past, and I need to ask a question ! What were the symptoms that you experienced ! I have been told I have Meniere's Disease, which I'm told has no cure ! Some dizzy spells, and walk like I'm on a constant bender ! And am loosing my hearing ! I too abused me self like you did , by not taking hearing protection precautions ! I hope there is help for you ! They tell me that there is none for me ! Take care !........John Lang

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John
Mine started as an ear infection and a Dr at my regular Dr office was cleaning it for the 3rd week and tore it (my opinion). The tear was never mentioned but he felt I should see a specialist and in 10 seconds the specialist said I has a fungal infection and a torn drum. This was Feb. Still working on it. My hearing is 70% compared to the good ear but still has a small hole. Have to be careful not to get water in it so limited fun with the grandkids in the pool.
Never heard of Meniere's but doesn't sound good. Maybe they will figure something out. I had a little vertigo with the infection but nothing since.
My dad always said getting old is not for sissies. Starting to understand what he meant.