Balance and Hearing

I lost my balance on one side due to AN surgery. I feel drunk when walking at night and i found out that if I am completely in the dark I will fall over. Walking on the dock to get on a boat is also hard I have to have someone help me if there is nothing to hold on to. we can't stop living we have to learn to adapt. I also lost the hearing in my right ear I have no idea what direction any type of sound is coming from. Everyday challenges !!! STAY STRONG EVERYONE

[KimmiP]

I feel your pain. My surgery was 3 1/2 years ago. It does get easier, as you do adapt. The one-sided hearing was one of the most frustrating, because I wasn't expecting that to happen. Even though I've adapted, there are certain situations I just remove myself from (like loud social settings;just exhausting).

The balance issue.... the best thing to improve that is to walk at least 30 minutes a day. When I'm not exercising, at least walking every single day, the imbalance returns. Wishing you the best! Just know you have a big community of people who care.☺

[Hidden in reply to KimmiP]

Thank you! Wishing you the best!

[Ballantyne56]

Hi, I am the same I have no idea what direction sound comes from it’s really annoying. Do you wear a hearing aid ?

Kindest regards

[Hidden in reply to Ballantyne56]

HI, Yes i do but not all the time I have the Cross 11. One for each ear one transfers the sound from my def side to the ear with hearing. do you have hearing aids?

[Jmingo]

I have had a "small" AN and have lost 95% hearing in that ear. The Cros hearing aid helps some but still difficult in noisier environments. I have balance issues as well but exercises for it do help. You can find numerous sites online that do help. Walking regularly in a busy area helps your brain to adjust with the balance issues. Mine has improved with the exercises which are simple to do but do need to repeat them at times to reset again. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada and they don't advise to do surgery unless AN starts to grow. I'm fine with that as have already lost the hearing and with surgery that won't come back and doubt it will help with balance. Good luck and do check out exercises for balance issues. It helped me.