My diagnosis almost WASN'T a "fluke". My hearing loss had been "monitored" off and on for almost 20 years, with yearly, then bi-yearly checkups for the last 5 or 6 years. My left ear had always been measureably less than the right. Finally, things were beginning to not remain steady but decline further, so I was recommended for a hearing aide. When I went for that consultation, she said, "I can't help you, the doctor hasn't signed of on this. Have you had an MRI yet?" No one had even mentioned an MRI. The hearing aide specialist said this should have been an automatic red flag for an MRI. She called the doctor who ultimatley contacted me and said, "Sure, and MRI might be good to do. We won't find anything, likely, but it is good to rule out all possibilities." So, we went through the MRI and now I'm looking for 2nd opinions and treatment options.