Hi Joe,
I'm a musician and play with an ensemble at my church. We've recorded a couple of CD's plus I love going to concerts and music is a HUGE deal to me. I felt all the ways you do about going 'mono.' So much of what I love to do is built around really hearing music!
I tried to do some music concerts before surgery and I'd always think 'this is the last time i'll hear this with both ears.' i went to a symphony and i could tell the difference with how much hearing i'd lost. I went to an organ concert at this big cathedral, and that was awesome! the lowest pipe was so low and 'bass-ey' and loud that my bad ear could hear everything very well (since my hearing for bass was better).
My hearing in my left ear had gotten quite bad (about 60% gone). Lots of humming and high pitched ringing in my left ear.
I'm now 3 weeks post op. Since I had translab, I'm now SSD on the left. I'm trying to do the things I loved to do before the AN... like sitting in the living room and just listening to music. Sometimes it really does sound like the music comes in on my left. It doesn't always feel all mono. However, on the contrary, there's times when the left side of my head feels completely empty!
Plus in some environments, sound can be all bouncy and different. I'm getting used to it I suppose.
THe ringing in my AN ear has improved, so maybe now I'm hearing less, but of a better overall quality.
I was happy to read these posts because I had no idea there was a stereo to mono adaptor for an ipod (i need to get one of those - jan / leapyrtwins always gives me the best ideas!)
I haven't played with my music group yet post op. Hope to in the next couple of weeks. They all stand on my left - we'll see how that goes. They'll be patient with me, I'm sure.
I guess what I'd like to point out is, hearing is different but i thought it would all sound much worse. Since it's better quality, it's not as bad as i thought. I also thought that once my translab was finished i would be RUSHING to get that baha. but, the thought of another surgery now is.... no way ! even though it's not as 'bad' as translab, i just don't want to do that right now.
So, i'm thinking that if i live with the SSD for a while and get used to it, by the time i do get a baha, maybe it will just seem so much better that i'll be thrilled!
Is your date in March? I always forget where the calendar is!
Hope all goes well with you - keep us updated!
Keri
