I am, 34 Mom of 3 boys ages 1-5, just diagnossed with AN.

[BonnieB]

I have no hearing in my left ear at all. I am waiting for the specialist to call me. I woke up with no hearing on 8/8, my Ent thought it was from a virus. Just got my MRI back and the growth is 1 inch. I live in Dallas Tx area. I am refered to Dr. Roland at UT southwest. Does any one know who else I should check with? Has anyone lost thier hearing and had it restored?

[tenai98]

Hi Bonnie and Welcome to the forum.
I didnt lose my hearing all at once but it I had gradual loss with total loss due to surgery.   This place is a wealth of information or just ask....An AN journey and recovery varie from person to person. 
JO

[Kaybo]

Hi Bonnie~
I am from Texas too, but way at the top.  I am really not familiar with Dr.'s there (but I could find out if no one has personal suggestions - my brother is friends with an ENT in South Lake/Ft. Worth - I talked to him last summer at a baseball game).  I know that when you first get this diagnosis, it is hard to take it all in, but take a deep breath & know that it is all going to be OK.  I had my surgery 13 years ago at 25 - I went on to have 3 girlies and a GREAT life!  Check out my blog if you want (click the world icon on the left).  I would LOVE to chat with you on the phone if you would like to talk to someone.  Just PM (comment bubble icon) your number and I will give you a call.

K   

[imnocleaver]

Hi Bonnie,

I'm a newbie from the Dallas area, too, and had my first appointment just this morning with one of the other docs at UTSW!  Was supposed to see both Dr. Mickey and Dr. Kutz, but Mickey cancelled, so only met with Dr Kutz.

Please keep us posted on how it goes with Dr. Roland.  Part of the office experience there was just a train wreck, but Dr. Kutz himself was great.  Even my husband (who usually loathes doctors of all sorts) liked him, which is nothing short of amazing.

[Kaybo]

Welcome to you, June-less...I LOVE your screen name as I am CERTAINLY no Cleaver!!  All the stuff I said to Bonnie go for you too...I am just too lazy to write it again! 

K   

[imnocleaver]

Welcome to you, June-less...I LOVE your screen name as I am CERTAINLY no Cleaver!!  All the stuff I said to Bonnie go for you too...I am just too lazy to write it again! 

K   

I'm with you on the laziness...hence no new subject yet from this noob.  Much easier to lurk and reply to others!  I'll try to post my own dx story soon, so as not to hijack someone else's.
Thanks for the welcome!

[leapyrtwins]

Hi Bonnie and welcome to the forum 

I had diminished hearing prior to my AN surgery, but the surgery left me SSD (single-sided deaf).  I had a BAHA implant and that is how I have "normal" hearing once again.

Generally, when one loses hearing due to an AN it doesn't return.

Hi, June-less and welcome to you too 

Like Kaybo - one of my sisters  - I'm no Cleaver either.  But that's another story - I'd better get back on topic before Phyl comes along with her bullwhip 

Jan

[msmaggie]

Welcome to both of the newbies! I am in TX also, but in the Houston area.  You will find lots of support, advice,and comfort here.  They held my hand through all my trials and tribulations, so don't be afraid to ask anything!
Priscilla

[suboo73]

Hi Bonnie and welcome!

Sorry you had to join this 'crazy' AN club  , but know that you are not alone.

I am from Virginia, so i cannot answer about the docs in your area.  Just take it one day at a time and do your research.
The folks here are FANTASTIC, so keep reading and asking questions.

Hi Imnocleaver!  I love your screen name, too!

Take care and keep posting!
Thoughts and prayers,

Sue

[mk]

Hello Bonnie and welcome.

Did your ENT give you a steroid prescription? If taken right away steroids can help reverse sudden hearing loss if it is due to tumor related edema. I had sudden hearing loss twice, and both times it came back with a course of steroids.
Your AN is still small, and you have plenty of time to do your research.Make sure you get informed as much as possible before you make any treatment decisions.

Best wishes,
Marianna

[jlamborn]

I live in Grapevine and had my surgery at UT Southwestern with Dr Isaacson and Dr Madden in the Aston building beside the Zale Lipshy hospital.  I lost my hearing over the period of a year; my AN was 1.3cm but had choked off the hearing and balance nerve during that year to where there was nothing left to save.  They tried steroids first, which I guess is the usual route; finally got my MRI with contrast and there it was, glowing plain as day.  I was in surgery within a month because of the  affect it was having on my balance; barely able to drive and work.  Since there was no useable hearing left, I chose translab, so they could get their best access to the tumor and reduce the facial paralysis risks.  UT Southwestern is a great place; I was very impressed with everyone I dealt with.

[Jim Scott]

Bonnie ~

I'm sorry to learn of your AN diagnosis but glad you've found the ANA website and decided to venture an introductory post on the forum.  I'm not a doctor and can't credibly answer your question on the chances of regaining your hearing in the AN-affected ear - but it may not return.  This is an unfortunate aspect of an acoustic neuroma.  Many AN patients lose their hearing gradually, almost imperceptibly, as I did, while others lose it 'overnight' as the tumor grows, slowly but surely compromising the hearing nerve.  Some lose only a little hearing ability and a few, none at all.  It's quite random.  I hope your hearing can be restored, and please consider these forums and the folks who voluntary give their time and opinions as a resource.  We're here to help as much as we can.  Just ask. 

Jim

[krbonner]

Hi!

I lost my hearing suddenly as well, about halfway through my second pregnancy.  I was diagnosed when my sons were 3 years and 4 months.  I had surgery when they were 4 and 1.  I can't speak to the doctors in TX, but I can speak to managing the AN and treatment while parenting young children (I now have 3 kids - 7, 4, and 5 months).  My AN was about the same size as yours.

Unfortunately, in my experience there's little chance of restoring hearing once it's gone.  There's better chance of keeping what's left, but I hope you can be the exception!  After my surgery, I am 100% deaf on the AN side (a known side effect of the surgery) but find that it barely affects my day-to-day life.

Good luck!
Katie

[Vivian B.]

Hi Bonnie,

Welcome to the forum. This can be a very overwhelming time but it does get better and everyone on the forum is a great help for  advice and support. You have time to come to terms with the diagnosis and to understand your options for treatment.

Vivian

[alicia]

Welcome Bonnie and imnocleaver!  I am just over 3 months post op and I am back to doing everything!  I had 95% of my hearing pre op, but chose to have translab which removed the hearing nerve - hence lost all hearing on the AN side.  I am 39 with an 8 and 10 year old.  At first, I was most scared of what they would experience, but quickly learned they are strong and only know what you share and show them.

Hang in there and ask questions!  That's what we are here for    Alicia