Makesupwords
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2008
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I am new to joining. Someone pointed me in the direction of this website, so I thought I would give it a try. I am inbetween worlds right now.
I am 23 and going deaf for no apparent reason. No doctor can tell me why I am losing my hearing. I have had an MRI, CT scan (both with contrast dye) along with a VNG (which determined I have a non functioning inner ear) and lots of blood work. Everyone seems to be shrugging their shoulders at my hearing loss, saying "it's normal" and sending me on my way. Seriously though, it can't be normal!
Here's my little story and intro to myself:
In 2003 my hearing was tested because I was having some balance issues. They determined I had some slight hearing loss (which I was told was normal for my age) primarily in my right ear. No one ever further looked into my balance issues. Over the next 5 years my hearing got worse and I just sort of wrote it off as things were upside down in my life. My tinnitus was getting louder, and I started to realize that I was hearing people talk, but had NO idea what was being said and started to get concerned. I thought something was wrong with my brain so I avoided going to the doctors. I finally went in January of 2008 and had another hearing test done. I was told I had hearing loss and comprehension issues. They were bad enough to justify hearing aids. I got my hearing aids (BTE's) in March and my hearing quickly dropped. It was like my ears finally gave up to holding onto hearing. In August my right hearing aid went out for repair (it was shutting itself off) and by the time it came back my hearing had pretty much given up in that ear and the hearing aid could no longer help. So I am down to one hearing aid in my left ear, about 56% comprehension, severe tinnitus, no working inner ear, and no answers. It's very frustrating. I am expected to hear for maybe another year or two if I am lucky.
I am in school to be a preschool teacher, which I will end up working with children with hearing disabilities. I work currently as a nanny, as long as my hearing will hold out. I am about to start ASL classes in college also, but it's very difficult so far to learn.
So, that's my intro. I am hoping to be able to meet and talk to some people who understand and might be able to help. I really try and keep a positive outlook on things, but some days it's really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel as this is all happening.
Rachel
I am 23 and going deaf for no apparent reason. No doctor can tell me why I am losing my hearing. I have had an MRI, CT scan (both with contrast dye) along with a VNG (which determined I have a non functioning inner ear) and lots of blood work. Everyone seems to be shrugging their shoulders at my hearing loss, saying "it's normal" and sending me on my way. Seriously though, it can't be normal!
Here's my little story and intro to myself:
In 2003 my hearing was tested because I was having some balance issues. They determined I had some slight hearing loss (which I was told was normal for my age) primarily in my right ear. No one ever further looked into my balance issues. Over the next 5 years my hearing got worse and I just sort of wrote it off as things were upside down in my life. My tinnitus was getting louder, and I started to realize that I was hearing people talk, but had NO idea what was being said and started to get concerned. I thought something was wrong with my brain so I avoided going to the doctors. I finally went in January of 2008 and had another hearing test done. I was told I had hearing loss and comprehension issues. They were bad enough to justify hearing aids. I got my hearing aids (BTE's) in March and my hearing quickly dropped. It was like my ears finally gave up to holding onto hearing. In August my right hearing aid went out for repair (it was shutting itself off) and by the time it came back my hearing had pretty much given up in that ear and the hearing aid could no longer help. So I am down to one hearing aid in my left ear, about 56% comprehension, severe tinnitus, no working inner ear, and no answers. It's very frustrating. I am expected to hear for maybe another year or two if I am lucky.
I am in school to be a preschool teacher, which I will end up working with children with hearing disabilities. I work currently as a nanny, as long as my hearing will hold out. I am about to start ASL classes in college also, but it's very difficult so far to learn.
So, that's my intro. I am hoping to be able to meet and talk to some people who understand and might be able to help. I really try and keep a positive outlook on things, but some days it's really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel as this is all happening.
Rachel
