Hearing loss

[Ursus_thibetanus]

My upcoming AN surgery will result in permanent hearing loss in my left ear. What is the experience of living with hearing in only one ear, and has anyone had cochlear implants? How effective are they?

[StrugglingSpouse]

Did the consultant mention cochlear implants as the option?

I've been looking into a bone anchored hearing aid, do you know anything about that?

[Ursus_thibetanus in reply to StrugglingSpouse]

No, I don’t. My doctor reassured me that they will address it, but for now, their priority is the removal of the tumor. He mentioned there are options, including cochlear implants, though he didn’t go into detail. I know I might be thinking too far ahead, but it’s still a concern for me.

[StrugglingSpouse in reply to Ursus_thibetanus]

Same for us. Our surgeon mentioned it when we were at the same stage as you are now, to be discussed later on, we didn't end up doing anything about it though. Now I made a point that I want to sort something for the hearing. Being part deaf isn't helpful.

We really have to be committed to getting the care and support we know we deserve. It's a job that needs sticking to

[whitefishbay]

I have an AN in my right ear so very muffled hearing only in right ear. I have worn hearing aids for three years now. When you put them in you will hate them - tinny sound - but you get used to them. Start out doing an hour at a time. You need to fiddle around with them but they do HELP. Mine were from the NHS (thank you NHS) and they are blue tooth enabled which is fantastic for talking on my mobile and for listening to music. The sound goes right into your ear (hearing aids). If I am in another room and my phone rings I will hear it (ping). I am out of the closet on being half deaf. I am always saying I'm deaf please can I have a table against the wall. Also I watch alot of evening television and enable the subtitles whenever I can which is really great.

Best of luck. ☘️

[whiteleye]

I have no hearing in my right ear due to a medium size AN. I really have trouble in restaurants with noise. I also hate that I cannot tell the direction that sound is coming from. I have a hearing aid in left ear, and I tried the cross-hearing aid that directs sound from right hearing aid to left hearing aid. However, this did not correct the problem of knowing the origin of sound. I sent it back as I didn't think it improved my hearing enough to pay for it. I depend upon subtitles on television, and limit eating with groups.