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General Category => The Coffee Shop => Topic started by: GrayBeard on July 09, 2011, 06:14:41 pm
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Hang on...I am about to 'ramble'!
74 year old male in good health with long term one ear (left) hearing loss.
Went for adjustment for Hearing Aid in other ear and results were sent to my 'otolaryingologist' and he called and wanted an immediate MRI of the empty space between my ears.
He knew of the almost total deafness in the left ear but no one had ever really determinied why!
So he gets results and immediately again calls and recommends that I see Cochlear Implant specialist.
Then I get invitation to Cochlear Implant presentation..
5 hours later I have an appt. scheduled for evaluation and that took place yesterday, 7/8.
I am a candidate and we are awaiting the Insurance nonsense to see what transpires.
IF all goes according to plan I will get the CI sometime late Sept.
NOW the fear and trepidation sets in!
I have heard almost nothing on the left side for as long as I can remember!
What happens now?
How will I react?
Will I be diappointed in the results?
Will I be able to even stand those noises I have lived so long without?
Is there some 'higher power' urging me to do this? If so, WHY?
I have lived a pretty full life for a long time and why do I need this now?
I have had many major surgeries and do not fear that aspect but there are a lot of unknowns I am dealing with.
Not really afraid just anxiously anticipating the unknown.
Family and friend support is great so I guess Iwill get through it.
Thanks for letting me 'ramble'!
~~~GrayBeard~~~
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I have copied your ramble and sent it to a friend and neighbor who has a lot of experience along those lines. I'll forward his response once I get it.
Gabby
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My fear for you GB is that not having listened with your left you are currently in your right mind. :o Now what happens when you can listen to the left? Can the right hold its own? If not...? :D
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Well GB, I have been Deaf in my left ear for most of my adult life due to constant ear infections as a child. I've lived with it with out to much trouble. I had surgery on it about thirty years ago. It worked fine for about a year, then reverted back to where it was before. One advantage is in bed. If I lay on my right side, It drowns out all sounds, you know, The wifes snoring, the kids music, the road sounds.
Now, mine is not repairable anymore, but if it was, I think I would leave it as it is.
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GB whatever you decide to do I suggest praying on it and yep listen for the guidance. My hubby just got hearing aids a few weeks ago. He has had trouble adjusting to hearing. Thank the good Lord he has made the adjustment. His first remark about hearing was I didn't know how loud the blinker was in this pickup.. I'll keep you in my prayers and we'll hope for the best.. Hugs to ya... Sheila in Tx
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Sheila...there has been a bit of comedy about this whole thing...one of the people I am corresponding with on the CI forum said when she got hers she almost went crazy with all the damn birds in her back yard! Another lives near a hospital and the ambulance sirens are driving her batty.
It will be a long learning curve since my brain is not used to processing 'sounds' from that side and it will have to train itself to convert the electro-impulses to brain waves and recognize them as sounds.
Among my greatest hopes is to once again truly enjoy music!
~~~GB~~~
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The first thing I would do, would be to research everything I could, about the implant. I'd list pros and cons ... is this something you want or something your doctor thinks you should have ??? I'd ask the Lord to help guide me with my decision. Then if all that fails I'd flip a coin !! Just remember, if you have it done, and it turns out well, you'll be able to hear the "ladies" nagging from both sides then. (that comes in with the pros and cons) !!! Which ever decision you make, everyone here will be behind you 100 percent. May the Lord bless and guide you. Marion XXXOOO
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GB, Marion is right, If someone is talking to me from another room, I ignore then because I can't make out what they are saying. So it's not my fault I didn't here them, Don't blame me!
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Well you are not married so you would want to hear out of both ears. I wish I was deaf in one ear and I would always make sure the wife was on that side.
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Well you are not married so you would want to hear out of both ears. I wish I was deaf in one ear and I would always make sure the wife was on that side.
Eh what ya say?
Tinnitus plays hell with lots of things and is a constant reminder, the squeal is always there, and interferes with any sound in that range. Always loved to listen to the crickets in the summer, just barely hear them any more. Low register sounds pretty good still. Can't stand the little kids in the commercials, and can't understand them either.
Makes me Grumpy Gabby!
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I'll pray for you GB to make the right choice. wish you a lot of wisdom on this one.
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Hey GB. Listen to the Drs and then decide what you want rather than what they want. You know that your family here will support you whatever your decision.
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Hey GB....And all others....I never have given any thought to being deaf or even not hearing in one ear, but after reading all the above I give Thanks to God for allowing me to keep my hearing after 66 years. GB I sat here and really gave lots of really hard thinking about your age and what you are going to have happen to you and there will be a period of adjustment, but I say go for it. Quickie....Mom 82 at the time. Cataraks. Surgergy. Went Great. All her life she had never seen TRUE COLORS. Her white was cream and Green was Blue. Now she is so HAPPY with her NEW SIGHT. Later....Danny :+}
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GB, since how long have you trouble on the left ear?
Any problems with that? Do you feel like you need to hear on that side?
After all it is a operation, it is a medical intrusion. You 'll have to deal with it. Is it OK for you?
It's YOUR body. Dr. can suggest certain things, but YOU're making the decision.
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I lost almost all the hearing on the left side as a pre-teen after having mumps, measles and chicken pox in rapid succession. Back in the 40's there was not the technology there is today so it went on without any kind of treatment until I reached my 40's and the Dr.'s then told me nothing could be done. Today's technology is so good that I was re-ealuated and they feel that I will definitely hear out of the left side again.
The other problem is that my right ear is now down to about 45% hearing in general without the Hearing Aid and my word recognition has dropped below 40%! So even though I can hear what is being said I cannot understand most of it unless the speaker is looking at me so I can read lips and if they talk slowly enough I can understand. BUT listen to conversations and tell me that most people don't talk like the sounds of an M-16 rifle on full automatic!!!
The Dr.'s want to get this CI in place and have me train my brain to hear with it so when the right ear finally goes completely I will at least have some hearing. The possibility exists that I may get a CI on the Right side also but it is about a $30,000 investment and Medicare will only pay for one!
Anybody want to make a loan!!!
Just a word in general...When you are talking to someone and want them to hear and understand you...TALK SLOWLY and LOOK at the person so they can see your face!
I direct this especially to Teachers, Ministers, and Public Speakers!!!
I am in the position now where I virtually cannot use a telephone or cellphone for that reason..EVERYONE talks too damn fast!
~~~GB~~~
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I hear you GB! All to often when in a crowd I usually just nod my head and hope someone hasn't asked me a question. Then I get that look like "did you hear me?". Then I have to explain that no I did not hear you because I'm mostly deaf in my left ear.
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*lol* In the army I had a master sergeant with me who also had hearing aids on both ears. Sometimes he just switched them off. You could talk to him, he would agree on all and most people did not notice him not understanding a single word. He often switched back on when the people left our office and asked me what they wanted ;D
That's a tough decision you've got to make. I don't know how I would decide.
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Awe GB big hugs.. :o looking at you talking slow.. I will pray for you.. Sheila
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GB, thanks for explaining more about your situation. I've had a hearing problem for years after working on my father's alfalfa mill, right alongside a big diesel engine with no muffler. Dad thought that would cut the power, and wasn't needed. My ears would ring for about an hour after we shut down, but it wasn't "manly" back then to wear hearing protection. Today I can't hear anything above 2,500 cycles, which isn't bad, but I don't hear many of the birds or musical instruments. I dislike being in noisy cafes, bars, etc. because I can't understand anything being spoken. You gave good advice about facing the person being spoken to, and speaking a bit slowly.
I find it interesting how one doesn't really fully value many of the things we have but take for granted until it's lost. Today I have diabetes and as a result I've lost my sense of balance and have difficulty walking. Now it's become important to me, and I know if I don't get the diabetes under control, I'll ultimately lose my feet and perhaps my eyesight. I've already had 5 laser surgeries for the eyes. I'm ok today, and I've got it under control, but walking and seeing are much more important to me today than they were a few years ago when everything worked fine.
GB, I wish you well with your decision, and I think you've probably already made it. I can understand your anxiety about the unknown, but being able to hear is something I don't think you want to lose. I hope that once again you can truly enjoy music!
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GB add spouses and friends to your list!
Gabby
A second thought. Have you thought how many of our young people are destroying their hearing with the LOUD stuff they play in their cars etc?
Those of us from heavy construction are affected by noisy engines running all day. eventually the ringing doesn't go away oh and shooting doesn't do the ears any good either!
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shooting doesn't do the ears any good either
.. that depends on where you score. ;D
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I know two people who have had the cocliar implants. It profoundly changed their lives. Mostly for the good. The annoying sounds - you get used to - the beautiful sounds - you treasure. That is what my friend told me.
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Well the decision is made and I will get the implant.
Be prepared to learn a lot about the process!
I feel like I have been designated by the "BOSS" to become a 'voice in the wilderness' and make this a teaching opportunity for ALL my friends!
One of the things I have been told is to start a daily 'journal' now and continue through the experience so I remember all the things I worried and thought as it progressed.
If it gets to be too much you guys can just skip my posts on the subject. <BG>
~~~GrayBeard~~~
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Looking forward to the posts.
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Well GB, I will be reading, so write away!
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And once again...My FAMILY comes through!
Thanks for the comments, thoughts, wishes, prayers and support!
~~~GrayBeard~~~
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I was out on vacation in a log cabin with the Grandkids this weekend GB, so I didn't see this thread until just now. Sorry to hear of the problem, but I think you made the right decision. It's right for you, and that's all that counts. I've had several procedures for different things and they all come with benefits and unexpected "costs". I'm sure you are familiar with it. Overall, they are almost all worth the costs. Know we are all pulling for you!
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Thanks Bill...
I know when you ask someone "How are You?" you expect a generic..."Fine as frog hair on a hoptoad's butt!" but the REAL friends actually want to hear!
I'll try not to belabor the thing and just report occasionally on the progress...
For right now it is in the hands of the "Almighty Insurance/Medicare" regime!
The surgery, implant, recovery and rehab is a piece of cake compared to the damn Insurance crap!
So few in the general public actually know nor do they care about the people with 'hearing disabilities'...even our esteemed US Government does not consider Hearing Loss a disability!
But when one of the 'outsiders' has a problem all of a sudden it becomes a very BIG DEAL!
~~~GB~~~
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this post is reminding me to take better care of my ears. I am not one of the young people with the music too loud (although my husband is in that boat) I do spend many hours a day in a nosiy woodshop filled with 12 year olds.
good luck with the insurance and keep us posted with everything.
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Hey GB, let me tell you a little story. Back when I had my ear surgery, everything went well. I had no pain in my ear after the surgery except my left shoulder was killing me. It felt like I was hit by a bus! About a week later I had a post opp with the doctor. I asked him why my shoulder was hurting so bad. He thought about it for a few seconds, then said that he rested his elbows on my shoulder while working on my ear! He didn't think that it would be a problem.
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I can't believe he didn't schedule a whole series of tests and Xrays just to 'cover his A%%!'
~~~GB~~~
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I can't believe he didn't schedule a whole series of tests and Xrays just to 'cover his A%%!'
~~~GB~~~
It was an Air Force Doctor and hospital!
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Hey GB. I think you made the right decision. I bet you will get used to all the new sounds pretty quick and really enjoy it, especially the music. And I think you should post all you need to if that will help you get through this. That's what we're here for, to help and support each other. I'll be praying for you and hope everything goes well.
Kim
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this post is reminding me to take better care of my ears. I am not one of the young people with the music too loud (although my husband is in that boat) I do spend many hours a day in a nosiy woodshop filled with 12 year olds.
good luck with the insurance and keep us posted with everything.
Tough part for you Katie, is you have to be able to hear the kids.
You might try and see if the school budget could pop for some noise canceling ear muffs they are designed to block high DB sounds but still be able to hear speech. Wouldn't hurt if they could provide them for the students too but that is probably a stretch. Do a search and see how expensive they are, maybe you could at least get them for yourself the kids are only exposed for the better part of an hour, but you are exposed much longer, and the damage to the inner ear is cumulative.
Food for thought.
Gabby
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For my 2 cents, I think you are doing the right thing GB. Looking forward to how it all comes about. You will enjoy being able to hear what you are missing and if music is one of them that's a big plus. I enjoy it too, having been singing since I was little, with an appreciation for good music and quality.