Sudden Hearing Loss: Want to connect with others

Posted by eileen123 @eileen123, Jul 22, 2020

Hello, I am new to this group. At age 56, I recently suddenly lost all hearing in my right ear, and I am trying to process this significant impact and find support from others who have experienced the same sudden hearing loss. I welcome your feedback. I am in good hands with very experienced doctors at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston, but my treatment plan has not worked to date (oral steroids and ear injections). I have profound loss in right ear, and above average hearing in my left ear. Thanks for your insight and support. Eileen

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Hi Eileen, I know that the Pres. of HLAA, Richard Einhorn experienced sudden hearing loss a few years ago. I'll bet if you go to HLAA's website you will find something about sudden hearing loss. I'm not sure I'm correct, but I think that it may be that the kind of treatment you are getting is best done immediately after the hearing loss. Was that what happened with you? Do the doctors say anything about your treatment not working? Why?

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Thank you. I began the treatment within 30 hours after I lost my hearing in my right ear. There is no explanation as to why it isn’t working other than the hearing loss was profound. I am stunned.

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I am so sorry. While that kind of thing is a traumatic experience, in time you hopefully will be less stunned. What's the date on which it happened?

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@barbb

I am so sorry. While that kind of thing is a traumatic experience, in time you hopefully will be less stunned. What's the date on which it happened?

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July 6. Thank you.

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I have no words to express my thoughts related to how you must feel. All I can say is that hearing loss isn't the end of the world, whether it's sudden or gradual. To cope well with it one must be open to learning. We are fortunate to be living in times when technology is advancing and there is hope for cures for some types of hearing loss. Probably not soon, but at least they are working on it. Forty years ago they simply told us 'to live with it'. Technology has been game changing for me. That includes FM systems, streamers, cochlear implants and hearing aids. There is help, but it has to be sought. It's OK to be stunned, but don't be stumped. Take time to adjust and move on.

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Good saying! "Stunned but not stumped"!!!

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@julieo4

I have no words to express my thoughts related to how you must feel. All I can say is that hearing loss isn't the end of the world, whether it's sudden or gradual. To cope well with it one must be open to learning. We are fortunate to be living in times when technology is advancing and there is hope for cures for some types of hearing loss. Probably not soon, but at least they are working on it. Forty years ago they simply told us 'to live with it'. Technology has been game changing for me. That includes FM systems, streamers, cochlear implants and hearing aids. There is help, but it has to be sought. It's OK to be stunned, but don't be stumped. Take time to adjust and move on.

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Thank you. As I adjust, I will explore.

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@eileen123, to help with your exploration into cause and course of action, you may also be interested in reading the experiences of other members like @meganmarshall0017 @travelgirl @btpanda in these related discussions:

- Hearing loss in 30s https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hearing-loss-in-30s/
- Anyone experience rapid progressive hearing loss in one ear? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rapid-progressive-hearing-loss/
- Sudden hearing loss and an echo https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sudden-hearing-loss-1/
- Sudden Hearing loss--options after steroids are ineffective? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sudden-hearing-loss-options-after-steriods-are-ineffective/
- Help: Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) - very scary: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/help-sshl-very-scary/
- Sudden Hearing Loss: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sudden-hearing-loss-283ae1/

Eileen, are you still taking steroids? What are the specialists suggesting next?

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@barbb

Hi Eileen, I know that the Pres. of HLAA, Richard Einhorn experienced sudden hearing loss a few years ago. I'll bet if you go to HLAA's website you will find something about sudden hearing loss. I'm not sure I'm correct, but I think that it may be that the kind of treatment you are getting is best done immediately after the hearing loss. Was that what happened with you? Do the doctors say anything about your treatment not working? Why?

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Thanks so much. I read an article about his personal situation with hearing loss and his hearing aids, etc. It was inspiring.

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In September of this year I lost most of my hearing in my left ear. There was no trauma or anything, just a regular day - I am 26 years old with no medical conditions.
I have since met with many Doctors, had an MRI, and CT scan - all unable to give me any answers that could explain my hearing loss. Has anyone experienced anything like this or know somebody who has? I am just so confused how this could have happened, my hearing has not improved at all.

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