hearing issues

[TedTom]

Hello looking for some advice please. My partner who has cerebellar ataxia, diagnosed 17 years ago, has started to show some signs of hearing loss….or has she? Or is this something to do with the sort of cognitive delay between hearing words and being able to process them due to the Ataxia? More importantly how can we check? The regular audiology places have said go to GP and get referral but to whom? Presumably the regular type of hearing test won’t be suitable?

For the last 17 years she has been a patient of the wonderful Marios Hadjivassiliou but as we have moved house she is now waiting for an appointment at the Walton Centre in Liverpool.

Communication has become more tricky over the years and am determined to try and keep this going better for longer so any help and advice would be appreciated, thanks 😊

[wobblybee]

🤔Because she was a patient at Sheffield for so many years, she probably has a link to the Ataxia Nurse……and she may be able to advise where to enquire re specific testing.

[TedTom in reply to wobblybee]

Thanks x

[Millwallben]

I have hearing loss as part of my Ataxia. I had tests at queens square and there were issues with my hearing nerve. they sent a letter to my GP to refer me into local audiology services and it took a few months but i now have hearing aides for both ears. Importantly i have the ones with plugs that block sound from entering the ear and allow me to grip them better to put them in. they help a lot, but dont solve all my hearing issues. So i would try and speak to the ataxia nurse at Sheffield if i were you as the nuro hearing tests are slightly different.

[TedTom in reply to Millwallben]

Thanks x

[27011952]

Aged 73, I have mild hearing loss and about 4 years of cerebellar ataxia. I haven't heard of any link between the two.I got a hearing test, and NHS hearing aids through Specsavers - much quicker and easier than through my GP's surgery. However, this Specsavers service doesnt cover all regions. Go to the Specsavers Web site and put in your postcode.

All the best, Pete

[TedTom in reply to 27011952]

Thanks x

[Piero]

I experience a moderate hearing loss, my ataxia was diagnosed some fifteen years ago and the hearing difficulties have continued together with the ataxia. I am unaware of any necessary connection between the two but as I am now over eighty years of age the question becomes one of increasing irrelevance to me.

[Ukalimcn]

hi, it was me not hearing something at work. I went to GP , who referred me to Audiologist, they found nothing wrong but the Consultant did a head MRI. After many years, I am now diagnosed with SPG7 ataxia. My middle ears were affected and I don’t realise but speak louder than others. I can still hear but I am aware of it. Get referred from GP to Audiology, it will be quicker