8weeks

[MMusella]

Well its been 8 weeks and Im done with ot and pt (have graduated) my life is completely back to normal.. I am back working and back with my kids hectic life..besides having no hearing in my right ear everything is back..I am a true believer in positive energy and surrounded myself with that..(i truely believe it is a mind over matter) the Human body is resilient, it never ceases to amaze me..life is Great..

[ANGuy]

Bravo!

[Troutbc]

How have you adjusted to the SSD? I am dreading that outcome since I have perfect hearing now, I have surgery in 2 weeks. Is it really that bad or will I be fine once I'm used to it? I know it's going to be a change but was hoping for some words of wisdom

Thanks!

[Mimispree]

Michelle, that's the best post ever!  I'm with you, and someday soon I'm going to post an equally positive message. 

To Troutbc, I didn't have any hearing loss before surgery either, but I'm not having any real difficulty with SSD.  It's a bit unnerving (no pun intended) not being able to tell where sounds are coming from, but I can still sing on key, adjust levels and hear just fine.  I just tell my husband to whisper in my good ear and whisper his grievances in my bad ear, which works for both of us.

Michelle

[ANGuy]

How have you adjusted to the SSD? I am dreading that outcome since I have perfect hearing now, I have surgery in 2 weeks. Is it really that bad or will I be fine once I'm used to it? I know it's going to be a change but was hoping for some words of wisdom

Thanks!

I am not an expert on SSD.  My bad ear actually works pretty well.  But, the way I found out I had an AN was when I rolled over on my pillow and thought I hit the mute button on the TV at the same time.  When I lifted my head up I could hear the TV!  I put my finger in my left ear and I could hear the TV.  I put my finger in my right ear and I couldn't hear it!  Off to the ENT I went and an MRI showed the AN.  So, my bad ear at times turns itself to the "off" position and then back on.  I was walking around with SSD and didn't even know it until my good ear went on the pillow.  Now I check for it all the time and apparently my bad ear has been working pretty well as I haven't found any SSD episodes since that one time I caught it.

The way I figure it is, if I went through some period of time with SSD and didn't even know it, hopefully it won't be that bad when I loose that ear permanently.  While my bad ear is pretty good, the neuroto Dr says that my ABR test indicates that I am pretty much guaranteed to loose the use of it no matter what treatment plan I pursue.

[Troutbc]

Thanks for all the answers guys!! Here is something I've been thinking about while preparing to be SSD (only 5% chance of my hearing being saved)... Does your voice sound different to you? It must sound different than hearing your voice with 2 ears. I work in a very professional environment where speaking up is necessary and I'm concrrned I won't be all to control pitch or hear myself properly. Does your voice sound the same to you, but just muted? Or normal?

[lorigasper]

We certainly wish you well on your upcoming surgery.  Prayers for a quick recovery!

I don't think that you'll be bothered the way you anticipate with the SSD.  At least for me, it doesn't sound like you're plugging your ears when you hear yourself talk.  I just get no feedback from the SSD side and hear myself like I always have on my good side.  Regulating pitch hasn't been an issue and my husband hasn't ever said that I'm talking louder than normal, so I assume I'm regulating my voice like I always have.

The only thing that's taken some time to get used to is the loss of directionality of sound.  Everything just comes in the good side.  It's kind of like hearing an ambulance siren and you don't know where it is coming from.  One time a friend greeted me (she was standing just outside my field of vision) and I did about a 355 degree turn to find her.  We had a good laugh!

Take good care of yourself, and take one day at a time.  You've found great resources here, and friends that will support you in any way they can.  Keep us posted on how you're coming along.  You'll be in our prayers.

[Mimispree]

TroutBC:

I have the same experience as the previous post.  You will not have any problem speaking-up, etc.  Everything sounds the same, including my voice.  I do have trouble being in a loud environment, because loud noises increase my tinnitus and head pressure.  I do not speak louder than necessary and I don't miss much unless someone talks directly into my deaf ear.

Best wishes for a good recovery!

[NYLady]

Hi TroutBC..

I think as long as the hearing in your non AN ear is normal, you will probably not have too much of a problem.  I had Gamma Knife about 8 months ago...my AN ear has lost all word recognition and only hears loud noise like if something large passes by or dishes clanging in a cabinet when you put them away.  Most likely all of it will go shortly, which was expected.  However, I do have compromised hearing in my "good" ear which does affect the sound of my voice.  Sounds like in a can, echo, and I do tend to speak very loud, till I am reminded to lower my voice.  That too is a strange thing to have to modulate the way you speak.  Sometimes I feel like all I am doing is moving my lips, but everyone hears me, but me.  All a matter of adjusting to what we have I guess.  I am so hoping hearing aids will still work for me.  I did use them prior to GK.  Just about my whole family has hearing issues and for many years I thought I was just part of the group.  Did not seek out any additional help until I experienced balance difficulties which lead to MRI and AN diagnosis.  Going to new audiologist next week and will post how I make out.

Meanwhile, all good thoughts and prayers go with you when you have your surgery.  So many people here have gone through so much and are such examples of strength and courage.  You will always find support and a listening ear on this forum.  Believe me, SSD is something you will adapt to if it happens.  Stay positive.

Best to you.

NYL