I have a question for those of you who have suffered from sudden hearing loss. Were there any symptoms that preceded it? I am afraid that it may happen to me some day down the road. Let me describe my symptoms: I am 31. My hearing is fine right now. I do have a mild case of tinnitis, caused no doubt by a youth spent setting off firecrackers, shooting guns (target practice) without hearing protection, and attending loud concerts. For the past couple of years, I have occasionally felt a very sharp pain in my inner ear (particularly the left) when the outer ear is moved in a certain way (tugging on it, rolling over on my pillow). It only happens a few times a month, and the pain only lasts a second, then goes away. I'm afraid there is some type of problem developing, like a growing tumor or some other physical problem.

The past few months, I've noticed a dull pain in my ears, slight headaches, and occasionally, very mild dizziness/nausea. Not enough to affect my balance or daily activities, but, having read the experiences on this board, I'm worried that I could wake up some morning with my hearing suddenly gone.

I have an appointment with my GP in a few weeks to get things checked out, but would like any input from those of you who have "been there, done that."

With my deafness, I too get the ringing, buzzing and beeping of Tinitus. Luckily, it only flairs up from time to time. Usually when i'm trying to get some sleep.
I havent done much study on this, so i tried things on my own. Just from my innder figuring. One thing I tried was to think of a song in my head. I felt taht part of it was in my mental state (Still not quite sure if im wrong about that). So i wondered if i thought about something else to try and calm myself, maybe I can relax.

Now here is the part that may sound funny, but it a real issue for me and I wonder how, or if it relates.
Sometimes, I'll get a song in my head. Sometimes it does make the tititus go away. The strange thing is, i sometimes can;t get taht song out of my head. please take this as a real issue no matter how funny it may seem. This has actually lasted a few days where I can't get taht dang soung out of my head.
What makes it worse, is that the songs are ofcourse from memory from before I went deaf. So alot of the times I think I can't get the song out of my mind because my mind is trying to fill in the words I can't remember.

I guess i wonder if this has anything to do with the tititus, if it's something common? Or could it be another issue caused by my loss of hearing. If it has nothing to do with the tinitus situation, do you think it might be another mental issue or side effect from loosing hearing.

I hope this come out right..

Ron Jaxon

ALso had very bad vertigo for 2 years starting at age 28. Went to doctor after doctor. No one could help. I found out from a trainer at my local gym...that I had exercise induced vertigo. When ever I would strain to lift heavy weight...it would make the vertigo worse. So I stopped and just did swimming or walking...and the vertigo went away.

Tried going back to lifting weights and sure enough the vertigo came back. The doctors told me I had herpes in my inner ear...all wrong! (They seem to do a lot of guessing!) I have been vertigo free for 5 years now thanks to my trainer at the gym.