This is my first post on this forum. I'm a nearly 60-yo professional violist facing a decision on surgery vs radiation to treat my 1.4cm AN. So far in the affected ear I've lost like 90% of high frequencies, so pretty much unable to hear speech on that side. But in a music setting, it has not felt so drastic, I imagine because I still have low-frequency hearing.
As I ponder treatment options I'm 99% sure I prefer the radiation. The surgeons say there's a "chance" of preserving remaining hearing, but my reading indicates that's a pretty low chance. And there are so many other possible and probable complications. While the radiation seems to lead to probable loss of remining hearing in that ear, with maybe a slight chance of preservation.
I guess right now my biggest question is: Are there any musicians out there who have lost hearing in one ear? Have you been able to carry on despite that loss?
Thank you.
