Hello!
And thank you for such a diverse forum. I checked out a few others and this one was especially appealing.
First about me. Average person until about six months ago. I have severe seasonal allergies (what does this have to be with deafness???...just a sec...)The allergy attacks seemed unusually severe and tenacous. Not being a doctor person I waited until I woke up one morning two months later and could not hear a thing. Nothing, nada, etc. Of course I instantly became a doctor person.
To make a long story short, after more tests (and prednisone) than I can recall, the diagnosis is still fluctuating SSNHL in both ears. I had been affected by tinnitis in my left ear as long as I can remember and have probably been losing my hearing gradualy also. I have now developed tinnitis in both ears and while no one else semms to understand this, it is true. I have more than one sound in each ear. Like crickets and a low electrical hum at the same time in one ear. Since the left ear tinnitis is a life time friend, I have learned over the years how to manage it. (Actually, I have named him). The trouble is learning to manage more. I just can't seemed to get a handle on it.
There are days when you would not being to tell me apart from a hearing person. I can talk on the phone, watch tv with the family (w/o cc) but there are days I am almost nonfunctional from having almost no hearing and the noise inside. The doctors have not been too concerned about this or any other symptoms I have. Its as if they know they can't fix the ears and so why go any further. I am starting to get scared.
I have been told the CI won't help because the hearing does fluctuate nor will regular hearing aids.
My doctor's office called yesterday and said he wouldn't need to see me again for six months unless I developed problems. So where do I go from here?
I am not afraid, depressed or even angry. I am lost. If there is anyone out there that has the time and patience to answer the 4 gozillion or so questions I have. I promise to pass the knowledge on the next person who needs it. I am home all the time so if there are any volunteers, you will never be forgotten.
Thanks for your time.
And thank you for such a diverse forum. I checked out a few others and this one was especially appealing.
First about me. Average person until about six months ago. I have severe seasonal allergies (what does this have to be with deafness???...just a sec...)The allergy attacks seemed unusually severe and tenacous. Not being a doctor person I waited until I woke up one morning two months later and could not hear a thing. Nothing, nada, etc. Of course I instantly became a doctor person.
To make a long story short, after more tests (and prednisone) than I can recall, the diagnosis is still fluctuating SSNHL in both ears. I had been affected by tinnitis in my left ear as long as I can remember and have probably been losing my hearing gradualy also. I have now developed tinnitis in both ears and while no one else semms to understand this, it is true. I have more than one sound in each ear. Like crickets and a low electrical hum at the same time in one ear. Since the left ear tinnitis is a life time friend, I have learned over the years how to manage it. (Actually, I have named him). The trouble is learning to manage more. I just can't seemed to get a handle on it.
There are days when you would not being to tell me apart from a hearing person. I can talk on the phone, watch tv with the family (w/o cc) but there are days I am almost nonfunctional from having almost no hearing and the noise inside. The doctors have not been too concerned about this or any other symptoms I have. Its as if they know they can't fix the ears and so why go any further. I am starting to get scared.
I have been told the CI won't help because the hearing does fluctuate nor will regular hearing aids.
My doctor's office called yesterday and said he wouldn't need to see me again for six months unless I developed problems. So where do I go from here?
I am not afraid, depressed or even angry. I am lost. If there is anyone out there that has the time and patience to answer the 4 gozillion or so questions I have. I promise to pass the knowledge on the next person who needs it. I am home all the time so if there are any volunteers, you will never be forgotten.
Thanks for your time.