BlueMax27

Lisa-

I have seen Dr. Shea a total of 4 times including the intitial appointment, all of the labs and hearing tests, the surgeries, and post-surgical follow ups. I will go and see him for a fifth and final time in January to follow up on my recent surgery. He's nothing short of a miracle worker. Someone on his staff told me that he's performed 40,000 plus procedures.

I've had 3 surgeries on my right ear (last was 7/1/08) and 1 on my left (12/9/08). The first 2 surgeries on my right ear were performed by a local Otolaryngologist about 5 years ago and were both failures. I will withold the Dr's name here, but after the 2nd surgery failed, the Dr. told me that my hearing loss was permanent and that I needed to start wearing hearing aids. Up until this year, I had been wearing those hearing aids for about 5 years. Dr. Shea discovered (during my revision surgery in my right ear back in July) that the prosthesis from my 2nd surgery had detached and had penetrated my ear drum. Dr. Shea removed the old prosthesis, repaired my ear drum, and inserted a prosthesis of his design. My hearing has steadily improved ever since. Not only did he invent the stapedectomy, but a good deal of the surgical tools and implants as well.

In terms of side effects for me personally (bear in mind that everyone responds differently), I experienced some vertigo for about a week after the July surgery, and have some currently after last week's procedure, although not as bad this time. I also have some intermittent ringing, but that seems to subside after some time goes by. Dr. Shea also grafts a vein from the back of your hand into the oval window, so you will have about an inch long scar on your hand. These are all easily lived with issues considering my hearing has been improved in my right ear (left is still fresh from surgery) to the point that my hearing aids have been retired and I no longer need them. While I'm aware that there are many potential outcomes, including permanent hearing loss, my hope is that you can share in my success and have a similar outcome. I'm confident that you will not find a more experienced surgeon, in addition to the amazing staff at Shea Clinic. There's even an extended stay hotel attached to the clinic (I stayed 2 nights) where you can stay short term plus they were able to seamlessly work with my insurance to the point that both of my surgeries cost less than a third of what my hearing aids cost 5 years ago. This was clearly a no brainer for me.

Sorry for the long post, but my hope is that it gives you some background and will assist in your decision.

Best of luck to you and please let us know what you decide to do.