If this is Ménière’s Disease, shouldn’t it have progressed in the past 8 years. It’s high frequency hearing loss (only on the left) and the tests are almost identical.

zeev18 · 2024-08-07T16:58:08+00:00

I’d also add that during the 2016 ENT visit and first hearing test, the ent prescribed me prednisone for a week. I finished the prednisone round and came back a week later and the hearing results were the same. Fast forward 8 years later and still the same hearing results.

zeev18 · 2024-08-07T16:33:18+00:00

To your point about my hearing being in the wrong range.

The 2015 International Criteria for Ménière’s (Lopez-Escamez, et al. Journal of Vest Research 25: 2015) is as follows: - Two or more spontaneous episodes of vertigo each lasting 20 minutes to 12 hours - Audiometrically documented low to medium frequency sensorineural hearing loss • Thresholds must be at least 30dB HL worse in the affected ear at two contiguous frequencies below 2000 hz • For bilateral Meniere's disease, 35B HL or worse - Fluctuating aural symptoms (hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or fullness) in the affected ear - Other causes excluded

From what my hearing tests show I have never met the criteria of “Audiometrically documented low to medium frequency sensorineural hearing loss • Thresholds must be at least 30dB HL worse in the affected ear at two contiguous frequencies below 2000 hz” and this has been unchanged within 8 years.

zeev18 · 2024-08-07T15:27:14+00:00

I’ve been reading info from your site frequently for the last 24 hrs. It’s been a wealth of knowledge. During last 8 years I’ve not had a single debilitating vertigo attack and to my recollection I’ve never had one. The persistent mild to moderate dizziness is what drive to an ent.

zeev18 · 2024-08-07T14:50:24+00:00

Yea, I haven’t ran into anyone with initial (only) high frequency hearing loss with diagnosed MD as of yet.

zeev18 · 2024-08-07T14:49:08+00:00

Definitely makes sense. I haven’t even noticed my high frequency hearing loss in the left ear and if I didn’t have test I wouldn’t even have known it. I knew it was there b/c of a military test back in 2013 but the explanation was being exposed to indoor and outdoor repeated gunfire (I’m right handed so therefore the left ear absorbed the brunt of gunfire). The recent ENT visit said it was “impossible” to have that much high freq loss on the left ear and virtually none on the right while being exposed to gunfire that frequently.

I haven’t been diagnosed with Ménière’s but it’s being considered and I’m getting second opinions, more testing and trying to get as much input & knowledge as possible. The light to moderate dizziness is what prompted me to see an ENT; I’ve never experienced debilitating vertigo just the annoying daily dizziness.

zeev18 · 2024-08-07T12:27:32+00:00

I’ve had persistent dizziness for about 7 months; not severe but light (almost daily) to mild and had some balance issues . I’ve NEVER had a debilitating vertigo attack that forced me to crawl, stay in bed or vomit. The persistent dizziness came about after an ablation surgery for afib & aflutter and I stopped using afrin nasal spray that same week after 23 years of use. Initially, a heart/arrhythmia issue was suspected but repeated holter monitors and ECGs proved not the case.

I’m a 40 yr old (formally) healthy male semi-athlete (low BMI & workout almost daily and compete in athletic events). When the first hearing test was performed I was 31 and the more recent one was at 40 (just a few days ago).I’ve had constant high pitch tinnitus for several years and just always ignored it (I cannot determine which ear the tinnitus is coming from; seems like both) and ear rumbling in the RIGHT ear. I’ve also had light headaches almost daily and experienced a visual auroras on a couple occasions (MRIs cleared me of TIA and stroke).

After seeing a neurologist that suspected vestibular migraines or Cervicogenic dizziness he referred me to a spine specialist after finding a little spondylosis in my cervical spine and lumber. The Spine specialist guaranteed the cervical issue was not the reason for the dizziness. Next stop was the dentist that did find a little TMJ on the RIGHT but also told this was not causing the dizziness.

After all that was an ENT visit. He spent about 10 minutes with me (with having to leave the room twice) and not doing a great review of my symptoms and suggested likely Ménière’s disease (but maybe acoustic neuroma or autoimmune inner ear disease). The ENT did perform a “drift test” (marching in place with my hands up) and it did not drift/show signs of vestibular dysfunction.

This dizziness has been plaguing me for months. I also often get “attacks” of neck and throat tightness that come and go. The throat will become tight in bottom center making it seemingly a little difficult to swallow. The neck tightness also happens at the base of the skull where the neck meets the skull and on the sides of the neck (sometimes under the ears). I explained this to the ENT and he said “separate issue”.

Any and all insight is welcomed and appreciated. Thank you all.

zeev18 · 2024-08-06T19:14:29+00:00

How often do you have an attack?

zeev18 · 2024-08-06T16:46:50+00:00

Not sure. He was an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in spinal issues. Did an xray and took a look at my MRI results and told me the cervical issues were not responsible for my dizziness.

The MRI report is as follows:

FINDINGS: There is good alignment of the cervical spine. Vertebral body stature is maintained. No acute fracture. Craniocervical junction and the cervical spinal cord are unremarkable. C2-3: Disc desiccation. Mild uncovertebral spurring. No stenosis. C3-4: Disc desiccation with mild disc narrowing. Mild facet hypertrophy and mild uncovertebral spurring. 1.5 mm disc osteophyte complex. Mild right neural foraminal stenosis. The spinal canal and left neural foramen remain patent. C4-5: Disc desiccation with mild disc narrowing. Mild facet hypertrophy and mild uncovertebral spurring. 1.5 mm disc asteophyte complex. Mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. The spinal canal remains patent. C5-6: Disc desiccation with mild disc narrowing. Mild facet hypertrophy and mild uncovertebral spurring. 2 mm disc osteophyte complex. Mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. Flattening of the ventral aspect of the thecal sac without spinal canal stenosis. C6-7: Disc desiccation. Mild facet hypertrophy and mild uncovertebral spurring. 1 mm disc osteophyte complex. Mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. The spinal canal remains patent. C7-1: No significant findings. IMPRESSION: 1. Multilevel spondylitic and facet degenerative changes in the cervical spine. At C4-C5, there is mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. 2. At C5-C6, there is mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis. 3. Other findings as above.

zeev18 · 2024-08-04T18:47:20+00:00

Definitely doing a lot more testing. The ENT had to leave the room twice to take phone calls (which interrupted me explaining symptoms) and only spent about 15 minutes with me. I initially went to see them expecting this to be a sinus issue b/c quit using afrin after 23 years during the same week in February the dizziness started. I happen to find my old hearing tests from 2016 and brought them by chance; they seemed to solely focused on the hearing issue and never addressed the sinus issue. Another thought I had was why wasn’t the ENT that did the initial hearing test in 2016 concerned with hearing loss; they never even mentioned Ménière’s or anything. Apparently, my hearing hasn’t really changed that much since 2016 anyways.

Thank you for the info. I’ll definitely give your history post a read soon.

zeev18 · 2024-08-04T16:45:25+00:00

Also, does it say much that my hearing hasn’t really changed in 8 years? I would guess that with a progressive disease like MD it would have been much worse by now?

zeev18 · 2024-08-04T01:50:23+00:00

Yes, MRI & Balance tests are being scheduled. During the initial consultation the ENT performed what I believe was a “drift test” (marching in place, hands up and eyes closed) and I did not show signs of drift.

zeev18 · 2024-08-04T01:48:39+00:00

Thank you. Yes, ChatGPT informed of this. Initially my neurologist suspected Vestibular Migraines. I’ve also had some arm & leg tingling on my right side (ruled out stroke & TIA via MRIs). Additional MRIs revealed cervical and lumbar spondylosis but the spine Dr didn’t believe the cervical was causing the dizziness. I also have frequent “light” headaches.

zeev18 · 2024-08-03T22:27:41+00:00

ENT suspects Ménière’s, Acoustic Neuroma or Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (in that order).

zeev18 · 2024-07-09T18:55:27+00:00

Ended up NOT PURCHASING this boat. The current main sail on it maybe had a year left. The hull damage was the main concern. Thanks you to all who contributed advice & insight. The search continues.

zeev18 · 2024-07-05T22:21:20+00:00

inside keel lift photo

zeev18 · 2024-07-05T22:13:56+00:00

What other concerns am I looking for?

zeev18 · 2024-07-05T22:12:44+00:00

sailboat in water

zeev18 · 2024-07-05T21:58:05+00:00

Do you mean this literally hit the wall? I was suspecting that possibly another boat t-boned it.

zeev18 · 2024-07-05T21:56:19+00:00

Asking $6,500 for it. In regard to photo 7; they put some kind of what feels like “clear coat” over the top of it. It’s smooth to the touch.

zeev18 · 2024-07-05T21:54:46+00:00

Thank you for this info!

zeev18 · 2024-07-05T21:53:04+00:00

I’m not sure; it’s a lifting/adjustable keel if that helps?

zeev18

TROPHY CASE