Any other musicians with an AN?

[Rogerthedodger]

Music has been a big part of my life - specifically playing piano and organ. The hearing in both my ears has been gently declining over many years. My right ear is now very poor and I have a very recent diagnosis of an AN in my left ear (previously my best ear). I have no longer been given an aid for that ear as it no longer seems to function . As an experiment this evening I lodged the right hearing aid in my left ear and played piano for a minute or two. It sounds hideously distorted. Just wondering if that is normal and whether I have completely lost any meaningful hearing in that ear for good?

I was told that I have an AN just before Christmas but do not yet know any details as my outpatients appointment is not until 25th Feb.

I would be very interested to learn the experiences post AN diagnosis of anyone who previously enjoyed making music.

Many thanks

[Lois_Howell]

So sorry to hear that Roger. I know what you mean about losing meaningful hearing. My hearing loss in left ear, the one I had AN had reached the level that sounded like a scrambled telephone, nothing was intelligible. My work, in a classroom became impossible with no directional sound. Could still do 1-1 tuition. Really hope you find a way to cope x

[ashquar]

My husband has AN. The problem is that he has AN in his hearing ear. He has been deaf from birth in the other ear.He takes asprin daily and he says its helped, he also had a steroid injection into his eardrum and took steroid tablets for 10 days. Very bad hearing for a few days but has been improving.

He listens to alot of music, but had to stop because the distortion was so bad. He's listening to music again at the moment but only streaming not back to the vinyl yet. We have a Naim hi fi with a Linn Sondek lp12 deck.

Hope this helps

[bypass]

Hi Roger, I am not a musician although I spent several years trying to learn, I have no talent! However I do know several professional musicians with acoustic neuromas. Most of them opted for fractionated sterotactic radiosurgery or FSR as it gives the best chance of hearing preservation and in some cases even a degree of recovery. I also had FSR and my hearing was preserved at pre treatment levels for at least 10 years. Good luck

[Rogerthedodger in reply to bypass]

Many thanks for your encouraging comments. I'm familiar with FSR as I had it for treatment in the prostate area so I would certainly lean towards that if I get the opportunity