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.

[JBBC]

I had my AN removed a year ago through RetroSigmoid surgery, and I am now deaf in my right ear. My biggest issue is not knowing where sound is coming from. I always look left, but of course, it could be from anywhere. I try to laugh about it. I am not using hearing aids. I make sure that when I sit in a restaurant for example, I try to have my good ear to my friends and sit in a corner if possible to limit background noise. I always walk on the right of my partner. I put the phone on speaker. If you make small concessions, it's not that bothersome. Most important, protect your remaining hearing in the other ear. I went to a concert recently and wore a noise cancelling ear plug. I could still hear everything, just not as loud. And no ringing in the ear after the concert! Good luck!

[FERNBROOK in reply to JBBC]

I too had Retrosigmoid surgery (aims primarily to preserve hearing) in 2022. Single sided deafness as a result because preservation wasn't achieved. It's always a gamble. My priority was to get back to normal asap albeit a new normal. Sound direction is shot. I can do a 360° turn to try and identify someone just saying "hello" in my road. What I do realise after doing some research is reduced environmental stimulus leads to reduced cognitive reserve and hearing aids reduces that risk. So vanity at first prevented me going down that route. Now, I realise the brain works at a less obvious level when processing sound. It can stimulate memory and thought. Have worn a succession of NHS BiCros aids with domes/plastic/silicone ear molds all pretty unsatisfactory. Now exploring the private route with small in-the-ear rather than over the ear aids. Have more discreet tiny aids on order with several programmes so fingers crossed. Take away is try and persevere with finding the right aids that suit rather than none at all.

[Ursus_thibetanus in reply to FERNBROOK]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's reassuring to know that we either come to terms with it or find a hearing aid that proves effective.

[Wallywalker]

I have ssd after surgery. That was 2 years ago. My right hearing ear is pretty good for now and I don’t wear hearing aids. I can hardly tell that I have ssd until someone speaks on the left side of me. At first Balance was an issue but I go to the gym regularly and work out aerobically and do Pilates weights and yoga. This has all helped me very well. After surgery nose was quite an issue especially inside my head where sudden whoops and bangs would shock me as the noise in my brain was sudden. After a few months, this all settled down. I do miss hearing in my left ear but I manage very well. I am 75.

[Ursus_thibetanus in reply to Wallywalker]

Thank you for sharing your experience.