Failed police employment hearing test today(I had no idea I have hearing problems)

@MikeBdk said:

Hello to everyone It’s my first post here my name is Mike I’m 31 years old.

I am going trough selection for a police officer role I passed everything until last test today that was a hearing test I was shocked as I had no idea I have a hearing problem.

I received these results and was told to go and see my GP and come in for a re-test 3 weeks from now…

L: 4 0 0 10 2 3 -3
R: 17 19 26 32 41 35 39
500 1k 2k 3k 4k 6k 8k

I’ve seen my GP she said that the right ear looks inflamed (I’ve had a cold sinus problem for the last 3 weeks or so ) and she prescribed me a spray to use for 7 days.

I also had a very bad episode of vertigo attack and sinusitis in 2014 had an MRI scan back then and came back normal except sinus infection.

Should I go and see an ENT in the meantime before re-taking the test? Can the hearing loss be caused by a cold,sinus infection? I also have tinnitus from time to time but it does not bother me it lasts for a couple of seconds and it’s very rare I don’t even notice it…

Thanks to everyone in advance for any tips or advice I’m still shocked as I didn’t expect this so don’t really know what to do next…

Mike,

It wouldn’t hurt to go see and ENT because the audiogram numbers they gave you are pretty weird. Normal audiogram numbers go every 5 db and you don’t come away with numbers like 17,19,26, so it might be a good idea to go someplace else to get some accurate numbers. Good luck!

@auspicious said:

Hi Mike-

I’m new to this forum too, though not to hearing loss.

What is your spray?

It’s this one

Otomize
Dexamethasone, Neomycin Sulfate, Acetic Acid

@doubledown said:

people always assume their infections killed their hearing when it’s most likely the medication they took. aspirin and ibuprofen is on the list.
http://www.nvrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Drugs-that-Cause-HL.pdf

Thanks for this I can see neomycin is on the list
and it’s included in the spray I have been prescribed… Otomize:
Dexamethasone, Neomycin Sulfate, Acetic Acid.

Guess I should stop spraying this in my ear then.

Prescribed meds should only be stopped after phoning/emailing your practitioner. He can often suggest an alternate med for whatever the problem.

There’s a big difference between taking a large dose of a medication orally and putting a drop or two in your ear. You can call your pharmacist to ask of neomycin applied topically would be ototoxic.

@doubledown said:

good on you for picking this up. probably saved yourself from a lifetime of paying 3k for an aid every 5 years.

I think that spray used to come in drop form. I had the drops as a kid and imo it’s probably one of the main big reason why I am deaf in one ear. btw neosprorin has neomycin in it too. have you used this spray before?

like others wrote, you definitely need to clear it with the doctor before stopping any prescribed meds. but I remember the drops being non-critical and assume the spray is also.

I am thinking you probably want to make sure there’s nothing else causing problems with your right ears. Can you think of anything else that might be affecting it? shooting range? do you tend to stick something in that ear like a headset? alcohol wipe anything you stick in your ears. earwax is very dirty and is the body way of getting rid of viruses and bacteria.

obviously you have sinus issues. have you tried taking some allergy pills like clariton? neti pot I’ve found works well but you got to used sterilized water and special salt with it.

Doogie Howser: give it a rest, your medical licence is bogus.