Could I lose my hearing?

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RachelP

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I am 21 years old. I'm not deaf, but three doctors have said that I show signs of hearing loss. I have been tested, but the tests were "inconclusive". Last semester, a professor and another student told me I was going deaf. I've noticed that music often sounds muffled and I get so tired of asking "what" that sometimes I just pretend I know what people are saying. I know Spanish, some French, and ASL (thankfully;)). I am taking German now, but I can't understand anything anyone says in class. One doctor told me my ear drum was not responsive. What does that mean?? I've scheduled an appointment, but I'm stressing out a bit.. Would anyone happen to know if hearing loss can happen in your early twenties?

I've read some posts and done some research and I know that hearing loss and deafness usually happens in early childhood and late middleage. But what about me?
 
I didn't lose my hearing til I was 16 ..hearing loss doesn't discriminate ..I also do not get what "inconclusive" means ..have u not had a hearing test (audio gram) and only an audiologist can say youre deaf ...don't self diagnose yourself ..usually not a good idea..
 
I agree with AliciaM, get a hearing test done by a audiologist and if your concerned with the results take them to a ENT. You should also keep in mind loosing some hearing doesnt always mean you will go totally deaf.
 
I think the "inconclusive" test had something to do with a recent ear infection? I'm not sure..
But did make that appointment.. The doc said I have "borderline hearing loss" and that it will only get worse. He said it may be genetic.. but no one else in my family seems to have hearing problems? He also said the only thing I can do right now is try to slow it down.. and come back every 6 months. I've never heard of someone slowly losing their hearing at my age? The few stories I know of happened abruptly, like from an injury or illness. He couldn't tell me how fast my hearing will decline or how bad it will get...?? I have irreversible nerve damage, but I have no idea what it could be from?
 
RachelP said:
I think the "inconclusive" test had something to do with a recent ear infection? I'm not sure..
But did make that appointment.. The doc said I have "borderline hearing loss" and that it will only get worse. He said it may be genetic.. but no one else in my family seems to have hearing problems? He also said the only thing I can do right now is try to slow it down.. and come back every 6 months. I've never heard of someone slowly losing their hearing at my age? The few stories I know of happened abruptly, like from an injury or illness. He couldn't tell me how fast my hearing will decline or how bad it will get...?? I have irreversible nerve damage, but I have no idea what it could be from?
Click to expand...

Progressive SNHL.
 
AliciaM, if you don't mind me asking.. What happened to your hearing? 16 must have been an awful age to lose it..
 
Everyone has lost hearing for one reason or another, so it's hard for us to give you input on what you're dealing with especially if medical experts themselves are unable to make conclusive findings. There could be a thousand different reasons why you're hearing muffled sounds from excessive earwax to overexposure to very loud music and/or headphones to.....reasons nobody knows.

Like others say here, go see an ENT to have your ears looked at then go to an audiologist for an audiogram.
 
AliciaM said:
I didn't lose my hearing til I was 16 ..hearing loss doesn't discriminate ..I also do not get what "inconclusive" means ..have u not had a hearing test (audio gram) and only an audiologist can say youre deaf ...don't self diagnose yourself ..usually not a good idea..
Click to expand...


Great advise;) I think I did try to self diagnose. For sure, not a good idea. The hearing test helped.
 
They don't know if it's autoimmune or if it's genetic..now I'm Deaf ..have a severe profound hearing loss and looking into a cochlear implant for my bad ear. I don't mind bring dead it's just annoying sometimes not to be able to hear properly.
 
2 let you know, I have a grandmother with hearing loss and I have that so we both technically wear the same hearing aid brand :)
 
Everyone lose their hearing for some reason ,Hope u get back to normal hearing ,i do wear 2 powerful hearing aid unforauntly i have lost both my hearing so i am considering CI
 
RachelP said:
I am 21 years old. I'm not deaf, but three doctors have said that I show signs of hearing loss. I have been tested, but the tests were "inconclusive". Last semester, a professor and another student told me I was going deaf. I've noticed that music often sounds muffled and I get so tired of asking "what" that sometimes I just pretend I know what people are saying. I know Spanish, some French, and ASL (thankfully;)). I am taking German now, but I can't understand anything anyone says in class. One doctor told me my ear drum was not responsive. What does that mean?? I've scheduled an appointment, but I'm stressing out a bit.. Would anyone happen to know if hearing loss can happen in your early twenties?

I've read some posts and done some research and I know that hearing loss and deafness usually happens in early childhood and late middleage. But what about me?
Click to expand...

Hey! Welcome to the club! We are a but nutty sometimes but overall we are nice people.

As for the eardrum not responding? It probably means that it's not vibrating from sound like it's supposed to. But it sounds more like the Dr just wanted to give you an answer so you do not go home empty handed.
 
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