Paula's story: vertigo, hearing loss and tinnitus
Fed up with inner ear problems? Find out how the Tomatis method at the Tomatis centre helped Paula overcome her severe vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. Click to read her full story and learn how this treatment eased her symptoms and allowed her to stop taking medication.
Updated on , a 2-minute read.
I came to the Tomatis centre after taking the questionnaire on their website about vestibular sensitivity. I have inner ear problems, with bad vertigo that comes on mainly when I'm lying down and when I change position.
It started in April 2019, one morning when I woke up. Before that, I had never had any problems. I went to see my ENT specialist, who prescribed Betahistine, 2 tablets a day. The vertigo eased, but it was still there. I'm also very anxious, and I'm afraid of developing Ménière's disease.
I should also tell you that I have tinnitus, and sometimes a feeling that my ear is blocked. My ENT specialist confirmed hearing loss in my right ear. I also had an MRI, which showed nothing of concern.
The first question I asked Mr Frère was “Do I have to stop my medication?”, because my biggest fear was stopping it and having the vertigo come back. He told me it wouldn't be necessary, and that I could try once the treatment was over. So I kept taking my medication for the whole of the treatment at the centre.
After arranging to stay with friends, I came in every day for my treatment, half an hour a day. You don't feel anything in particular, apart from a little warmth.
Two weeks and 10 sessions later, I felt better. The vertigo had already eased so much that I dared to stop my medication. Just to see... and nothing happened! No vertigo! It's a huge relief.
Today, a month and a half later, I went back for a check-up test. I should point out that I haven't taken the medication since the end of July. I no longer have vertigo, I feel firmly grounded, and there's just a very slight floating feeling left. When Mr Frère showed me the results, he told me that, as far as he was concerned, there was no longer any hearing loss. And indeed, I realised that before, when I watched television, I used to turn the sound up, and now I don't.
The tinnitus is still there, but less noticeable. I don't think about it any more, and that's fine by me.
Note: to protect our clients' privacy, we use a fictitious first name and a stock photo. Laser phototherapy treatment, alongside the Tomatis method. Exclusive to the Tomatis centre in Geneva (not available at any other Tomatis centre).
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