I lost my hearing in my right ear 20 years ago - noone has been able
to say how or why it happened. I was at work and when I answered the
phone - I couldnt hear anyone. I thought something was wrong with
the phone till I switched the phone to my left ear and could hear.
I spent the new few years having tests, seeing doctors, going around
in circles. I was left with very severe tinnitus and no hearing in
one ear. All the specialists I saw said that it would be just
something I would have to live with. There was nothing they could do
about the hearing or the tinnitus. I occasionally have episodes of
vertigo but, thankfully, they are becoming less frequent. The
tinnitus has been with me every day since and I still struggle with
it.
I had learnt to accept the deafness and found ways to help me in
different situations. I still avoid large crowds, and struggle if I
am in a group of more than a couple of people. If I go out for
dinner with more than one other I try to choose the seat at the end
so noone is sitting to my right. I find it impossible to distinguish
where a voice is coming from.
Each time I need to go to the GP for some reason, I usually ask if
any advancements have been made regarding my ear. The answer has
always been the same - no - the hearing is gone.
My youngest daughter is a nurse, and is now specialising in the
neurology theatre. She has encouraged me to see an ENT again as she
is seeing how many new procedures are being done now with regard to
ENT. She works at Royal North Shore and had not heard of the BAHA.
Apparently the procedure is not done there.
At her insistence I again visted an ENT who referred me on to Dr.
Chang at St. Vincents Private Hospital. Dr. Chang told me about the
BAHA and said I would be a candidate. I am having my trial BAHA
fitted tomorrow. I am very excited at the prospect of being able to
hear again. Only a month ago, I didnt realise that such a thing
existed.
I took a BAHA brochure back to my GP and she had not heard of it
either.
I go back to see Dr. Chang in a couple of weeks, so I will let you
know how I go with the trial.
Fingers crossed.