Stapedectomy - Day 11

[Ninatz]

Hi again,

11 days on and just had the cotton and stuff out of my ear. There was a mix-up with the appointments, so only happened this morning.

I was walking back from the ENT and I could hear the wind! Yay! Still not full hearing - things are still a bit tinny but not like on day 7. I can hear a bit of voices and I am sure my hearing has improved some - although he sound quality isn't great just yet. I think the quality will improve - it has improved since day 7 so fingers crossed. Also, my hearing was so bad that they don't expect me to get full hearing regardless - but maybe at 30-40% (it was at 80-90% and rather useless even with a hearing aid).

The ENT told me the stapes was exceptionally hard (as in VERY calcified) and he had to make a bigger hole and literally break the bone off! (sounds scary) He said because of that he had expected me to be rather dizzy and nauseous. I could only attest to that.

He takes it as a good sign I can hear traffic and other noises but also said because of the 'bigger hole' he had to make it will take a little longer to heal and for good sound to come through. He is expecting the hearing to improve over the next 4-8 weeks.

Normally I would have an appointment back with him in 4 weeks but I am an overseas patient and need to fly home, I am seeing him again in 2 weeks for a follow up.

I am also seeing the audiologist in 10 days which is probably sooner than normal but I need to be able to schedule 2 fittings/adjustments of my hearing aids before I leave. I have no access at all to any audiologists where I live so it is really really important the adjustments are perfect before I leave.

I still feel small periods of dizziness especially if I move quickly, or even just move my sight quick - like moving eyes only to look up and then look back down. Sometimes the dizziness comes without me doing anything. But it is bearable and doesn't make me nauseous anymore.

I feel my tinnitus is less but in the same time I feel it is a little too early to say for sure. Still have some tinnitus but seems to be less 'loud'. I will be checking that out over the next coming days!

I will give you an update again when I have been to the audiologist!

Take care out there!

[Missy1951]

Goodness where do you live?? And whete do you have to go to see yiur specialist.? Also I'm surprised you're allowed to fly. Fingers crossed for you. Keep us updated.

Regards Missy

[Ninatz in reply to Missy1951]

Hi Missy,

I am from Denmark, living in Tanzania and had the stapedectomy in Australia

I am allowed to fly 4 weeks after the operation.

Tanzania being a developing country still lacks a lot in the health sector and there’s next no help for anyone who has hearing impairment. As far as I know there’s one clinic in the capital that issues hearing aids but they are of poor quality and the adjustments and options would be absolutely poor. Apart from that, an average Tanzanian would not have the money to travel there or to buy costly hearing aids. No stapedectomy done in Tanzania either - sort from you wouldn’t want to ever have to be in a hospital there if you can avoid it

[bryfos]

Thank you for sharing

[Missy1951]

Best of luck. We're all rooting for you. Take care.

Missy

[Missy1951]

Hi Ninatz. How are things progressing for you now? Well I hope.

Regards Missy