Interesting story of hearing loss cured, tinnitus intensified, and no regrets.

[perlcoder]

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59761346

[Happyrosie]

Thank you perlcoder for sharing this fascinating story.

[doglover1973]

Thanks perlcoder A very interesting read 🙂 I wonder if the medics told her before or after the operation that her T might get worse. It sounds like it was a surprise .

[perlcoder in reply to doglover1973]

I wonder about that too. One would imagine that it would form part of the information / warnings to the patient in the case of any ear surgery. Of course we learn that she already suffered from T (though not if it was a consequence of her incipient otosclerosis. She may, of course, have shortened the story for the purposes of this brief article. Even so, how heartbreaking to come through surgery only to be hit by a major escalation of T.

[doglover1973 in reply to perlcoder]

She was unlucky given only 10% of people have the problem post surgery but she seems to have dealt with it very well. I'm not sure I could be so upbeat but then I don't know if I would undergo surgery anyway. This feels like a cautionary tale.

[perlcoder in reply to doglover1973]

Such a difficult position for her to be in. If I did not suffer from T (much or at all), and faced the choice between deafness in one ear - maybe even both eventually - and loud, intrusive T, I would choose deafness. The problem is, of course, that even profound deafness is often accompanied by T - so it would still be a gamble. Much also depends, on one's age, commitments to others, etc. Nothing is easy.

[doglover1973 in reply to perlcoder]

I agree with you. I'm almost deaf in one ear with intrusive T and - if I could choose - I 'd keep the deafness and lose the T . Everyone is different though and no decision is easy - as you say . I guess we just have to make the best of our lot in life.

[Parrcj]

I loved reading this story it really highlited to me there is no wonder drug or cure sadly that I have been searching for. I block out the T keeping busy all day sport , walking just anything to forget about the ringing . In the evening I pop ear plugs in and listen to pod cast or lightningprocess.co.uk/help... i find i soon drop off to sleep it so calming.

Hope this helps

[perlcoder in reply to Parrcj]

Precisely. It is a hard lesson. We all hope for something miraculous, and many of us begin by thinking that the miracle may be surgical - but the risks and improbability of that soon become clear. The good things to take from this article are her courage, and the fact (if it be true) that 90% of otosclerosis sufferers who have T find improvement after their surgery.

One day, maybe, there will be something for all of us.

[RobWG]

Interesting article, thanks for posting.