1. < Hearing Loss

Covid related hearing loss

Posted by sma1019 @sma1019, Mar 30 11:39am

I am reaching out because I feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. In early December, I was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was hospitalized due to a ruptured eardrum, which resulted in significant hearing loss, vestibular challenges, and persistent tinnitus. Since then, I have undergone three steroid injections into my inner ear and completed vestibular therapy. While my balance has improved, my tinnitus remains constant, and my hearing loss has only slightly improved.

These challenges have made it incredibly difficult to function in environments with multiple voices, background noise, or music. I struggle to focus and understand conversations, which has affected both my work and daily life. I was a kindergarten teacher before my illness, but due to my condition, I was unable to return to that role and am now working as an academic interventionist for the remainder of the year.

I feel lost and unsure of what steps to take next. I am reaching out to your support group in the hope of connecting with others who have experienced similar challenges and learning more about possible resources, coping strategies, or treatment options. Any guidance, advice, or support you can offer would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you for your time and for the work you do to help individuals like me navigate these difficult circumstances.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Mar 31 5:54am

sma1019, Bless you. COVID affected my hearing (tinnitus) as well. I resisted getting hearing aids for a long
time, but, the hearing loss was getting to the point I couldn't understand my family's conversations and the tinnitus was now in both ears.

I got hearing aids going on two years ago and it was the best decision. Yes, it's a process to get use to them, but, it cut my tinnitus down about 90% and I can hear things I hadn't heard in a long time.

I went to an Audiolologist in my area, I had met my deductible and didn't have to pay much out of pocket for
them. I have heard Costco is an excellent place to get hearing aids. You may only need 1 hearing aid since it sounds like 1 eardrum ruptured. All the pressure from infection from COVID was horrible for you and I am
so sorry.

I hope this helps. They have certainly helped me.

Blessings & Prayers....

REPLY
2 replies
RandyK | @rrkuzawa | Mar 31 6:45am

Know that you are not alone in your SSHL journey, as challenging as it is.
You may find this Facebook group helpful: “My Hearing Loss Story Group”.

REPLY
1 reply
sma1019 | @sma1019 | Mar 31 8:24am
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "sma1019, Bless you. COVID affected my hearing (tinnitus) as well. I resisted getting hearing aids for..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

sma1019, Bless you. COVID affected my hearing (tinnitus) as well. I resisted getting hearing aids for a long
time, but, the hearing loss was getting to the point I couldn't understand my family's conversations and the tinnitus was now in both ears.

I got hearing aids going on two years ago and it was the best decision. Yes, it's a process to get use to them, but, it cut my tinnitus down about 90% and I can hear things I hadn't heard in a long time.

I went to an Audiolologist in my area, I had met my deductible and didn't have to pay much out of pocket for
them. I have heard Costco is an excellent place to get hearing aids. You may only need 1 hearing aid since it sounds like 1 eardrum ruptured. All the pressure from infection from COVID was horrible for you and I am
so sorry.

I hope this helps. They have certainly helped me.

Blessings & Prayers....

Jump to this post

Thank you so much! I appreciate your help!

REPLY
sma1019 | @sma1019 | Mar 31 8:24am
In reply to @rrkuzawa "Know that you are not alone in your SSHL journey, as challenging as it is. You..." + (show)
@rrkuzawa

Know that you are not alone in your SSHL journey, as challenging as it is.
You may find this Facebook group helpful: “My Hearing Loss Story Group”.

Jump to this post

Thank you! I will definitely look into this. I appreciate it!

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Mar 31 9:33am

Hello @sma1019 . Welcome to Connect. I have had tinnitus for 13 years since radiation for head and neck cancer, as well as a bit prior to that in my other ear from an acoustic neuroma. While some audiologists specialize in treating tinnitus, other sufferers will use their own mind of matter mentality to place the noise into the background and ignore it. Some of the forms of tinnitus are impossible to ignore, like the loud buzzing that I get after being in a noisy environment.
I would recommend working with an audiologist and seeing your ENT to discuss what type of hearing aid would benefit you the most. Perhaps a cochlear implant is a better answer. Is your rupture ear drum healed? Have you talked to an ENT about the various repair options? I saw a suggestion here for Costco hearing aids and
I do not recommend. They have "hearing aid fitters", not trained doctors of audiology and cannot provide the level of care needed for fully functional hearing assistance. Y elderly aunt has been very disappointed with her Costco experience.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Mar 31 12:39pm

Welcome to Connect. You will get a lot of information and support here. It's important to know that hearing loss is unique and affects people differently. Your comments about not being able to hear and understand in situations with background noise is very typical though.

Hearing aids can be helpful, but they are not perfect. They also take time to get used to. They amplify sound, which doesn't eliminate background noise. The more sophisticated products that cost more have some options that can help. It's important to have well fitted hearing instruments, especially when they are new to you. It also helps to know a bit about what options are available so you can ask questions of the provider you choose.

I've used hearing aids for sensorineural hearing loss for decades, and have experienced many changes in their technology and options. I strongly recommend that you ask questions about BlueTooth, telecoils, manual controls, add on assistive technology, etc. BT and Tcoils can connect you to sounds you want to hear (phone, TV, performing arts, meeting rooms, worship centers, etc.) Providers should explain these options but sometimes they don't. It takes time to teach.

I always insist my hearing aids have a manual volume control. Some control sound automatically and many people find this to be frustrating rather than helpful. If I'm in a noisy setting I want to be able to turn down the sound, not hope it goes away.

If there is a chapter of the Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA) in your area, you may want to connect with them. I have learned more from other people who experience hearing loss than from anywhere else. I am so thankful. http://www.hearingloss.org is the HLAA website.

There is more research on hearing loss now than there was even a few decades ago. Cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids for single sided deafness have made a huge difference for many people.

Keep asking questions. Mine is: Do you have hearing aids now? If so, are they helping you?

REPLY
1 reply
sma1019 | @sma1019 | Apr 5 11:01am
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "sma1019, Bless you. COVID affected my hearing (tinnitus) as well. I resisted getting hearing aids for..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

sma1019, Bless you. COVID affected my hearing (tinnitus) as well. I resisted getting hearing aids for a long
time, but, the hearing loss was getting to the point I couldn't understand my family's conversations and the tinnitus was now in both ears.

I got hearing aids going on two years ago and it was the best decision. Yes, it's a process to get use to them, but, it cut my tinnitus down about 90% and I can hear things I hadn't heard in a long time.

I went to an Audiolologist in my area, I had met my deductible and didn't have to pay much out of pocket for
them. I have heard Costco is an excellent place to get hearing aids. You may only need 1 hearing aid since it sounds like 1 eardrum ruptured. All the pressure from infection from COVID was horrible for you and I am
so sorry.

I hope this helps. They have certainly helped me.

Blessings & Prayers....

Jump to this post

Thank you so much!

REPLY
sma1019 | @sma1019 | Apr 5 11:02am
In reply to @julieo4 "Welcome to Connect. You will get a lot of information and support here. It's important to..." + (show)
@julieo4

Welcome to Connect. You will get a lot of information and support here. It's important to know that hearing loss is unique and affects people differently. Your comments about not being able to hear and understand in situations with background noise is very typical though.

Hearing aids can be helpful, but they are not perfect. They also take time to get used to. They amplify sound, which doesn't eliminate background noise. The more sophisticated products that cost more have some options that can help. It's important to have well fitted hearing instruments, especially when they are new to you. It also helps to know a bit about what options are available so you can ask questions of the provider you choose.

I've used hearing aids for sensorineural hearing loss for decades, and have experienced many changes in their technology and options. I strongly recommend that you ask questions about BlueTooth, telecoils, manual controls, add on assistive technology, etc. BT and Tcoils can connect you to sounds you want to hear (phone, TV, performing arts, meeting rooms, worship centers, etc.) Providers should explain these options but sometimes they don't. It takes time to teach.

I always insist my hearing aids have a manual volume control. Some control sound automatically and many people find this to be frustrating rather than helpful. If I'm in a noisy setting I want to be able to turn down the sound, not hope it goes away.

If there is a chapter of the Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA) in your area, you may want to connect with them. I have learned more from other people who experience hearing loss than from anywhere else. I am so thankful. http://www.hearingloss.org is the HLAA website.

There is more research on hearing loss now than there was even a few decades ago. Cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing aids for single sided deafness have made a huge difference for many people.

Keep asking questions. Mine is: Do you have hearing aids now? If so, are they helping you?

Jump to this post

Thank you! I am scheduled to discuss hearing aids soon.

REPLY
sma1019 | @sma1019 | Apr 5 11:03am
In reply to @sepdvm "Hello @sma1019 . Welcome to Connect. I have had tinnitus for 13 years since radiation for..." + (show)
@sepdvm

Hello @sma1019 . Welcome to Connect. I have had tinnitus for 13 years since radiation for head and neck cancer, as well as a bit prior to that in my other ear from an acoustic neuroma. While some audiologists specialize in treating tinnitus, other sufferers will use their own mind of matter mentality to place the noise into the background and ignore it. Some of the forms of tinnitus are impossible to ignore, like the loud buzzing that I get after being in a noisy environment.
I would recommend working with an audiologist and seeing your ENT to discuss what type of hearing aid would benefit you the most. Perhaps a cochlear implant is a better answer. Is your rupture ear drum healed? Have you talked to an ENT about the various repair options? I saw a suggestion here for Costco hearing aids and
I do not recommend. They have "hearing aid fitters", not trained doctors of audiology and cannot provide the level of care needed for fully functional hearing assistance. Y elderly aunt has been very disappointed with her Costco experience.

Jump to this post

Thank you!

REPLY
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