wmcgowin
03-22-2007, 03:32 PM
Hi all
I have dealt with hearing loss for a very long time. So I decided to go see an ENT.
After a hearing test, it was determined I have pretty severe hearing loss. Not sure what from, but I suspect several very loud rock concerts had something to do with it. So I am getting hearing aids.
This all has been tough to take. I never figured I would have this much of a problem handling it.
I guess my question is this. I don't think I listened to any more loud music than my friends, but I am the only one in this position. Are some people more susceptible than others to hearing loss?
I have dealt with hearing loss for a very long time. So I decided to go see an ENT.
After a hearing test, it was determined I have pretty severe hearing loss. Not sure what from, but I suspect several very loud rock concerts had something to do with it. So I am getting hearing aids.
This all has been tough to take. I never figured I would have this much of a problem handling it.
I guess my question is this. I don't think I listened to any more loud music than my friends, but I am the only one in this position. Are some people more susceptible than others to hearing loss?
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tally07
03-23-2007, 10:51 AM
Some people are genetically predisposed towards hearing loss. Is there other members of your family who do? ALso, it depends on the pattern and type of hearing loss/ Loud music and noise will cause a loss at higher frequencies but not necessarily make you a hearing aid candidate. I am unsure of what your loss is but the hearing aids nowadays are cosmetically much better and the sound quality is as well as they are usually digital. Just remember a hearing loss is much more noticable than hearing aids. Good luck
Monicas667
03-23-2007, 11:02 AM
Hearing loss can be caused by a number of reasons - ear infections/scarring, loud noises, and just plain hereditary.
Did you ENT do an MRI or diagnose why you have hearing loss? I would think that's the first step. I started losing my hearing in my right ear at 33 - it was completely gone by 39. I was diagnosed with Otosclerosis, which is commonly hereditary, but not always. I don't know anyone in my family with it, but I also don't know a good chunk of my father's side of the family.
From what I've read online, Otosclerosis typically starts in the 30s, though some on these boards have had it start in their teens and 20s or later, in their 40s.
If you don't have all the answers from your ENT, I would encourage you to find them out or see another ENT. I don't know the ins and outs of other hearing disorders, but some are correctable by surgery. I just had a Stapedectomy last week and already see vast improvement in my hearing and expect to have full or almost full hearing again once completely healed.
Good luck!
Did you ENT do an MRI or diagnose why you have hearing loss? I would think that's the first step. I started losing my hearing in my right ear at 33 - it was completely gone by 39. I was diagnosed with Otosclerosis, which is commonly hereditary, but not always. I don't know anyone in my family with it, but I also don't know a good chunk of my father's side of the family.
From what I've read online, Otosclerosis typically starts in the 30s, though some on these boards have had it start in their teens and 20s or later, in their 40s.
If you don't have all the answers from your ENT, I would encourage you to find them out or see another ENT. I don't know the ins and outs of other hearing disorders, but some are correctable by surgery. I just had a Stapedectomy last week and already see vast improvement in my hearing and expect to have full or almost full hearing again once completely healed.
Good luck!
wmcgowin
03-23-2007, 12:48 PM
My hearing loss is consistent with exposure to loud noise-it is OK at lower frequencies, but drops off (dramatically) at the higher frequencies. Or that's what my ENT says.
I went to two ENTs, and both said the same thing.
I do have tinnitus, and have had it for a long time.
I know nothing about Otosclerosis. Where can I find out more? What kind of Dr. would look for it? An ENT? And would otosclerosis be consistent with what I am describing?
I went to two ENTs, and both said the same thing.
I do have tinnitus, and have had it for a long time.
I know nothing about Otosclerosis. Where can I find out more? What kind of Dr. would look for it? An ENT? And would otosclerosis be consistent with what I am describing?
tally07
03-24-2007, 05:30 PM
otosclerosis would show a conductive hearing loss(not a nerve loss) and the pattern typically is not high frequency (sloping) There is also a test called a tympanogram which tells if your eardrums are moving well. Generally, in otosclerosis, the movement is a bit stiffened. What type of tinnitus do you have? Is it high pitched or more low ocean type sounds? This is diagnostic as well. True noise exposure loss generally show a dip at 4000 cycles and then gets better at 8000--if you keep going down on the audiogram without this V shaped pattern- the loss may be more of a familial pattern versus noise exposure.
sarahbellum
03-25-2007, 05:07 PM
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know I got hearing aids at age 37, longggggg after I needed them. I've fought my hearing loss since I was a small child. I always seemed to manage without hearing aids but I finally reached a breaking point.
I didn't want them because of cosmetic reasons (I have to wear over the ear because of the type of my hearing loss). I've had them for almost 2 years now and the anxiety over wearing them is 99% gone, and my life is SO much better now that I wear them. I no longer shrink away from group activities and I can fully participate in conversations without ever having to "bluff". Everyone close to me thinks the difference in talking with me is amazing.
Anyways, good luck, just wanted to share my experience.
I just wanted to let you know I got hearing aids at age 37, longggggg after I needed them. I've fought my hearing loss since I was a small child. I always seemed to manage without hearing aids but I finally reached a breaking point.
I didn't want them because of cosmetic reasons (I have to wear over the ear because of the type of my hearing loss). I've had them for almost 2 years now and the anxiety over wearing them is 99% gone, and my life is SO much better now that I wear them. I no longer shrink away from group activities and I can fully participate in conversations without ever having to "bluff". Everyone close to me thinks the difference in talking with me is amazing.
Anyways, good luck, just wanted to share my experience.
wmcgowin
03-26-2007, 02:14 PM
otosclerosis would show a conductive hearing loss(not a nerve loss) and the pattern typically is not high frequency (sloping) There is also a test called a tympanogram which tells if your eardrums are moving well. Generally, in otosclerosis, the movement is a bit stiffened. What type of tinnitus do you have? Is it high pitched or more low ocean type sounds? This is diagnostic as well. True noise exposure loss generally show a dip at 4000 cycles and then gets better at 8000--if you keep going down on the audiogram without this V shaped pattern- the loss may be more of a familial pattern versus noise exposure.
The audiologist did a tympanogram, and found good movement.
The tinnitus is high pitched. What does that mean?
Finally, the hearing test showed normal hearing at lower levels, then a downward slope the rest of the way across. There was no dip or v shaped pattern. It might be familial, because the ENT kept asking about family history. And he was mystified as to why it was so bad at my age.
The audiologist did a tympanogram, and found good movement.
The tinnitus is high pitched. What does that mean?
Finally, the hearing test showed normal hearing at lower levels, then a downward slope the rest of the way across. There was no dip or v shaped pattern. It might be familial, because the ENT kept asking about family history. And he was mystified as to why it was so bad at my age.
tally07
03-26-2007, 09:31 PM
The audiologist did a tympanogram, and found good movement.
The tinnitus is high pitched. What does that mean?
Finally, the hearing test showed normal hearing at lower levels, then a downward slope the rest of the way across. There was no dip or v shaped pattern. It might be familial, because the ENT kept asking about family history. And he was mystified as to why it was so bad at my age.
The high pitched tinnitus correlates with your high frequency hearing loss. Often people will experience a tinnitus matched to the area that they are suffering some hearing impairment. Otoschlerosis usually has a lower ocean type noise and the pattern is different than what you described.
If you slope without a notch and you are only 44 there may be a hereditary link- although sometimes the etiology of these things is never known. If you start to lose your hearing at 2000 cycles you are indeed a good hearing aid candidate. Hopefully, your speech discrimination score was also high. (your ability to understand the spoken word) A loss like yours would do well with an open-fit hearing aid. There is one out now that is so lightweight and the shape and colors are very high tech looking. It does not look or feel like your typical hearing aid and with a losss such as you describe, you would enjoy hearing the pitches that you are missing without feeling "blocked up". It is always better to fit a hearing loss early than "waiting for it to get worse"
The tinnitus is high pitched. What does that mean?
Finally, the hearing test showed normal hearing at lower levels, then a downward slope the rest of the way across. There was no dip or v shaped pattern. It might be familial, because the ENT kept asking about family history. And he was mystified as to why it was so bad at my age.
The high pitched tinnitus correlates with your high frequency hearing loss. Often people will experience a tinnitus matched to the area that they are suffering some hearing impairment. Otoschlerosis usually has a lower ocean type noise and the pattern is different than what you described.
If you slope without a notch and you are only 44 there may be a hereditary link- although sometimes the etiology of these things is never known. If you start to lose your hearing at 2000 cycles you are indeed a good hearing aid candidate. Hopefully, your speech discrimination score was also high. (your ability to understand the spoken word) A loss like yours would do well with an open-fit hearing aid. There is one out now that is so lightweight and the shape and colors are very high tech looking. It does not look or feel like your typical hearing aid and with a losss such as you describe, you would enjoy hearing the pitches that you are missing without feeling "blocked up". It is always better to fit a hearing loss early than "waiting for it to get worse"
wmcgowin
03-27-2007, 03:36 PM
Thank you all for the thoughtful posts.
The more I think about it, the more I don't have a clue why my hearing is so bad. I went to all the same concerts my friends did, but they all seem OK. Maybe some people are more disposed to hearing loss than others?
I do recall several incidents that were bad-having a firecracker explode right next to my ear (like 2-3 inches away), being next to a speaker that was so loud no one could stand it, etc. Maybe it all just added up-I don't know. Maybe I'll never know.
As for my hearing loss, it slopes off pretty badly. My speech discrimination score was OK, I think. Is 80% good? I have a terrible time with some women's and children's voices-especially when I am tired, etc.
I am being fitted with the open type aids. The kind that sit on top of the ear and have a tube running down to the ear. But not with a mold inside the ear. I guess that's a good thing. (?)
All I pray is that this isn't a progressive thing. And I hope that we can get back on the stem cell research thing-which my Dr. said does hold some hope.
The more I think about it, the more I don't have a clue why my hearing is so bad. I went to all the same concerts my friends did, but they all seem OK. Maybe some people are more disposed to hearing loss than others?
I do recall several incidents that were bad-having a firecracker explode right next to my ear (like 2-3 inches away), being next to a speaker that was so loud no one could stand it, etc. Maybe it all just added up-I don't know. Maybe I'll never know.
As for my hearing loss, it slopes off pretty badly. My speech discrimination score was OK, I think. Is 80% good? I have a terrible time with some women's and children's voices-especially when I am tired, etc.
I am being fitted with the open type aids. The kind that sit on top of the ear and have a tube running down to the ear. But not with a mold inside the ear. I guess that's a good thing. (?)
All I pray is that this isn't a progressive thing. And I hope that we can get back on the stem cell research thing-which my Dr. said does hold some hope.
wmcgowin
03-30-2007, 11:16 AM
OK-got them yesterday. I already like the difference.
One thing, though-the world seems so LOUD! I tend to be a quiet person, and the loudness of sounds is distracting. While I do like this, I sort of enjoyed a quieter world as well.
Does that make any sense?
One thing, though-the world seems so LOUD! I tend to be a quiet person, and the loudness of sounds is distracting. While I do like this, I sort of enjoyed a quieter world as well.
Does that make any sense?
tally07
03-30-2007, 02:10 PM
OK-got them yesterday. I already like the difference.
One thing, though-the world seems so LOUD! I tend to be a quiet person, and the loudness of sounds is distracting. While I do like this, I sort of enjoyed a quieter world as well.
Does that make any sense?
Yes- but this is usually temporary. If you have been living with hearing loss for a long time, everything will sound different. Some hearing aids have adaptation managers on them. A new user may start in level 1 and a very experienced user may go to level 3 immediately. This allows one to gradually adjust to hearing many of the environmental sounds that they have not heard so well . Also, since i imagine they are digital aids, if after 4-6 weeks, you still cannot tolerate certain sounds, your audiologist should be able to make adjustments on the computer. I am sure with the type of loss that you describe, the sound of silverware, paper rustling and your own voice will all sound a bit "distracting" at first. This is completely normal. However, are you hearing those around you better, is the television at a lower volume?, I hope you notice an improvement in things such as this. Congratulations on your new hearing aids--I trust that with time, you will really enjoy them and wonder how you lived without hearing all these wonderful things.:)
One thing, though-the world seems so LOUD! I tend to be a quiet person, and the loudness of sounds is distracting. While I do like this, I sort of enjoyed a quieter world as well.
Does that make any sense?
Yes- but this is usually temporary. If you have been living with hearing loss for a long time, everything will sound different. Some hearing aids have adaptation managers on them. A new user may start in level 1 and a very experienced user may go to level 3 immediately. This allows one to gradually adjust to hearing many of the environmental sounds that they have not heard so well . Also, since i imagine they are digital aids, if after 4-6 weeks, you still cannot tolerate certain sounds, your audiologist should be able to make adjustments on the computer. I am sure with the type of loss that you describe, the sound of silverware, paper rustling and your own voice will all sound a bit "distracting" at first. This is completely normal. However, are you hearing those around you better, is the television at a lower volume?, I hope you notice an improvement in things such as this. Congratulations on your new hearing aids--I trust that with time, you will really enjoy them and wonder how you lived without hearing all these wonderful things.:)
wmcgowin
03-30-2007, 03:40 PM
However, are you hearing those around you better, is the television at a lower volume?, I hope you notice an improvement in things such as this. Congratulations on your new hearing aids--I trust that with time, you will really enjoy them and wonder how you lived without hearing all these wonderful things.:)
I am hearing things better. My fiancee said she was happy that I didn't say "yes" to everything (I used to do that as a way to avoid telling her I didn't hear her. Imagine what a disaster THAT can turn into!) I really do think that I have had hearing loss most of my life. Things sound SO different.
I am hearing things better. My fiancee said she was happy that I didn't say "yes" to everything (I used to do that as a way to avoid telling her I didn't hear her. Imagine what a disaster THAT can turn into!) I really do think that I have had hearing loss most of my life. Things sound SO different.