Maria ~
I've been SSD for approximately ten years. I began losing my hearing in my left ear around 2000 and it disappeared totally by 2003. At the time, I ignored the loss (
I was 60 at the time and thought it was 'aging') and adapted. In 2006, due to increasing, troublesome symptoms, I saw my doctor, had an MRI and a 4.5 cm AN was found. It was debulked and radiated successfully. I'm doing great - but remain SSD. I never considered a BAHA (
for personal reasons) but I realize that many SSD folks use and like them.
I have adapted very well to being SSD but to be honest, it is an impediment of sorts. I carefully position myself in group settings and always sit near the front of a room when listening to a speaker. I avoid long telephone conversations due to only having the use of one ear but generally, talking on the phone is not a problem, whether it is my cell phone or a land line. Noisy environments e.g. restaurants, can present a challenge. So are people who speak very softly or do not enunciate well. Sometimes I have to lean over a counter and ask a soft-spoken clerk to repeat something - but this is relatively infrequent. I use
'TV Ears'® (
a wireless, very light headphone system) to listen to TV which enables my wife to keep the sound at a normal level. This is a link to their website:
http://www.tvears.com/products.
The fact that you work as an attorney in relatively noisy environments
could be a problem - but not necessarily. Some AN/SSD patients have successfully returned to work as school teachers and other 'noisy' professions. You'll need to try adapting at work before making a decision, as you may be just fine. However, if being SSD negatively affects your professional as well as your social life, a BAHA may be your best alternative. You'll know soon enough.
Jim
