Dr. Nagler's Tinnitus Corner
Sign up Latest Topics
 
Categories > Questions and Answers > Dentist
 
 


Reply
  Author   Comment  
Maclec

Member
Registered:
Posts: 1
Posted  #1 
Hello Dr Nagler,

I'm hoping you can help me with a couple of questions. I suffered a SSHL about 18 months ago in my left ear and I lost the upper frequencies (7-8Khz) and was left with Tinnitus which varies every day and can be noise induced. One of my molars unfortunately cracked about 3 months ago and I lost the tooth. My dentist has suggested putting in an implant which I am very keen to do but I am very worried that it may worsen my Tinnitus permanently. When my tooth was taken out the dentist did some drilling and I used the advice that you had posted here; 5 seconds drilling and 10 seconds off and so on, and my Tinnitus was fine after that. The implant will involve drilling into the jawbone and I wondered what your thoughts are on this proceedure affecting Tinnitus?

My hearing loss was deemed idiopathic probably viral related, and over the last 12 months I have felt that I am losing more of the upper frequencies even though I am not being exposed to very loud noise. I also now have hissing tinnitus in my right ear which I have had checked out but there is no hearing loss related to that ear. I am a musician therefore the thought of losing my hearing is very worrying and I just wondered in your experience whether an SSHL with tinntus normally results in continued hearing loss? Many thanks for your time.
Dr. Nagler

Owner
Registered:
Posts: 1,689
Posted  #2 
Hello Maclec ... and welcome to this site.

Quote:
I'm hoping you can help me with a couple of questions. I suffered a SSHL about 18 months ago in my left ear and I lost the upper frequencies (7-8Khz) and was left with Tinnitus which varies every day and can be noise induced. One of my molars unfortunately cracked about 3 months ago and I lost the tooth. My dentist has suggested putting in an implant which I am very keen to do but I am very worried that it may worsen my Tinnitus permanently. When my tooth was taken out the dentist did some drilling and I used the advice that you had posted here; 5 seconds drilling and 10 seconds off and so on, and my Tinnitus was fine after that. The implant will involve drilling into the jawbone and I wondered what your thoughts are on this proceedure affecting Tinnitus? 

The effect of bone conduction on the hair cells of your cochlea should be the same regardless of whether the drilling is to the tooth or to the jawbone into which your tooth is embedded. I would recommend the same protocol you described above: 5 seconds drilling, 10 seconds off, etc. Any effect on your tinnitus due to drilling in that manner, however unlikely, should be temporary. 

Quote:
My hearing loss was deemed idiopathic probably viral related, and over the last 12 months I have felt that I am losing more of the upper frequencies even though I am not being exposed to very loud noise. I also now have hissing tinnitus in my right ear which I have had checked out but there is no hearing loss related to that ear. I am a musician therefore the thought of losing my hearing is very worrying and I just wondered in your experience whether an SSHL with tinntus normally results in continued hearing loss?

I am not an otologist, but it is my understanding that the clinical course and prognosis of SSHL is the same whether or not the SSHL is accompanied by tinnitus. And that is true for the contralateral ear as well.

Quote:
Many thanks for your time.

Glad to help.

Stephen M. Nagler, M.D.
__________________

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
- Mahatma Gandhi

No bird ever soared in a calm. Adversity is what lifts us.
- David McCullough quoting Wilbur Wright
Previous Topic | Next Topic
Print
Reply

Quick Navigation:

Easily create a Forum Website with Website Toolbox.



Dr. Nagler's Tinnitus Corner is provided for education and information only. It is not intended for the purpose of providing medical care and should in no way substitute for appropriate in-person consultations with qualified healthcare professionals. By using this site, participants agree to hold Dr. Nagler and Atlanta Tinnitus Consultants, LLC harmless with respect to any loss, injury, claim, liability, or damage arising from following the postings herein.