Hearing issues with PSP?

[jimandsharynp]

My wife has been complaining that her one ear is blocked. I've put in drops to resolve the problem several times but it still blocks up from time to time (not constantly blocked). Anyone else with PSP know of hearing/ear issues with the disease?

[Hidden]

Hi Jimbo

I'm back again with this query. From what I've read there seems to be agreement that PSP does not affect any of the auditory system, so hearing and similar associated problems are usually due to other factors. (There is some information that suggests the complex system of balance connected with the eye/ear circuits is affected in PSP, but this has nothing to do with the hearing process).

As we get older, many are susceptible to wax build up and it can often be difficult to clear, even with wax softening and removal drops. Our local clinic has a great new machine for syringing the ears -it works a treat!

There are many parts of th brain affected by PSP and there's one little area that has two parts to it. The top part has to do with vision (those rapid eye movements called saccades) and this IS damaged in PSP. The other lower part has to do with hearing and is NOT affected in PSP.

Finally, from my own experience with my wife (and others I've read about) - she has perfect hearing, so that with her involuntary eye closure (blepharospsm), and fatigue, she can hear my conversations with others in the next room (when they think she's asleep and cannot hear anything!!!!).

All the best my friend.

[jimandsharynp in reply to Hidden]

Strelley, Much thanks for the input. Probably wax. I've been using a softner and flushed once but we see our GP early in August and will have her take a look.

Jimbo

[Pram in reply to Hidden]

Just read this. My hubby doesn't have any hearing issues.. But of late, he closes his eyes a lot more...maybe because he is fatigued.. Today with the tv on almost continuously, he did not...was avidly watching something that really interested him :). But I have seen his eyes water too ..though it did not happen today..his cognition is intact- responses slow- speech nil.

- Padma

[jillannf6]

hi

I had hearing probs way b4 PSP - and had premature hearing loss 4m age 4 6 so now have herring aids for both ears!!

( a ken dodd joke)

but apart form getting labyrinthitis a number of times whilst still swimming I do not think it is related ot the PSP

lol Jill

[jimandsharynp in reply to jillannf6]

Jillann, The culprit was discovered. It was a buildup of ear wax. If you've never seen a person's ears cleaned out you would be amazed. I was actually shocked at how much wax came out. It took about four flushings to get most of it out. Each flush more and more came out. He son had his done and said that he was equally shocked at how much came out. Sharyn's hearing is not much improved.

Jimbo