“I can’t thank Nadia enough” – Pete thanks the audiologist who spotted a life-threatening stroke risk

February 18, 2022

A man who narrowly avoided a stroke due to an inflamed eye artery has thanked a local audiologist for spotting the warning signs.

Pete, 55, of Ely, a regular client at angli-EAR Hearing in Great Shelford, visited the clinic for a routine hearing check up with audiologist, Nadia Abbott.

While he was in the consultation room, Pete noticed the model of the ear that was sitting on Nadia’s desk. “I asked Nadia how close the main artery and vein is to the ear and enquired if that’s why I clearly hear the ‘swoosh-swoosh’ noise of my heartbeat” explains Pete.

Nadia explained that yes it can cause that sound and often, if it’s loud, which Pete’s was, then that can be a sign of high blood pressure.

“It made me think”, says Pete. “So, when I got home, I took my own blood pressure reading and, sure enough, it had jumped considerably”.

Pete’s doctor prescribed blood pressure tablets. However, his symptoms worsened.

“I had been getting bad right-hand side headaches and occasional blind spots in my right eye’s vision together with the return of the sound of the loud swooshes noises in my ear”, Pete said. “I remembered what Nadia has said about the swooshes and returned to my GP”

Further investigation showed that Pete’s worsening symptoms including a sore right-side temple and scalp was indicative of Temporal Arteritis – inflammation of the main eye artery.

Straight away Pete was put on medication and was told he was at serious risk of stroke and or blindness. Pete was referred to Addenbrookes for further tests and is due to have a biopsy on the artery imminently.

“If I hadn’t made the connection with the importance of hearing the loud “swoosh’ sounds and Nadia’s comment, I’d have probably thought I was getting migraines and carried on regardless. Quite likely this would have resulted in a very different outcome. I can’t thank Nadia enough.”

Nadia, audiologist at angli-EAR Hearing said: “Tinnitus is the term used to describe noises that may be heard in one or both ears in the absence of any external sound. People with Tinnitus may hear sounds such as buzzing, humming, ringing, static, pulsing, whooshing, constant tone or clicking. One possible cause is stress and there are treatments that can have positive outcomes when this is the reason. However, tinnitus can also be the body’s way of telling you that something is very wrong, like in Pete’s case.

“If you suffer from Tinnitus then don’t ignore it.  Talk to a healthcare professional as soon as possible as some sounds can be indicative of blood vessel problems and even tumours or an aneurysm.”