1. < Hearing Loss
Moderator

Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with others

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Feb 5, 2019

Welcome to the Hearing Loss group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with hearing loss, and friends and family supporters. Whether you were born deaf or hard of hearing, experienced hearing loss after birth or with aging, it helps to connect with others. Together we can learn from each other, support one another and share stories about living with hearing loss, coping with challenges and celebrating milestones.

Let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What is your hearing loss experience? Got a question, tip or story to share?

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

grovelander | @grovelander | Jul 17, 2021
In reply to @dstell "@colleenyoung, thanks for the invitation to join. My hearing loss began at age 27 when I..." + (show)
@dstell

@colleenyoung, thanks for the invitation to join. My hearing loss began at age 27 when I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease. I went deaf in my left ear within 3 years of diagnosis. I went deaf in my right ear at age 48, also from Meniere's. At that point I was implanted with a cochlear implant in my left ear, and my right ear was implanted 1 1/2 years later.

With this being tinnitus awareness week, I would like to add that, although I am deaf, I have not experienced silence in 27 years.

Feel free to ask me anything about Meniere's or cochlear implants. I'm pretty much an open book on those subjects.

Dennis

Jump to this post

Hi Dennis, my name is Nancy and I also have Meniere's and have very little hearing in my right ear(8% speech recognition) and about 65% in the left because of it. I am scheduled to have a cochlear implant in early October and am interested in your experience with yours. Has it made a big difference? Would you do it again? I do have mild tinnitus and I struggle to understand words in groups of any size. I use an FM system for one-on-one communication successfully and am getting better at speechreading through an online course. Please let me know more about your situation.

REPLY
1 reply
jpj | @jpj | Jul 17, 2021

Was born deaf in right ear. Experienced SNHL in left ear in 2014. Received steroid pills, followed by steroid injections in left middle ear. Word recognition is 65% at 90 dB. Now wear a Phonak Audeo Hearing Aid in left ear and Phonak CROS B-312 Blue Tooth in right ear. Also take Hydrochlorothiazide and Potassium Supplement to reduce sodium content in inner ear and Betahistine to increase circulation in inner ear.

Am interested in improvements to HA technology for word recognition and what is best online course for lip reading.

REPLY
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Jul 17, 2021
In reply to @bobbiefriend "My single-sided hearing loss seems to run in my family, started almost 20 years sgo. If..." + (show)
@bobbiefriend

My single-sided hearing loss seems to run in my family, started almost 20 years sgo. If i had it to do over i would get new hearing aids every 2 years to keep up with the technology. I did have 2 sets of bicross aids that made little difference. About the time of the pandemic my hearing took a turn for the worse and I panicked, looked into the cochlear and qualified for the surgery with Medicare, had the surgery in March of this year and it was activated a few weeks later. While I am still very hard of hearing I can tell I'm making progress; am being diligent about the homework I have to do and keeping appointments with my audiologist. A factor in my decision to go ahead with cochlear was the location of the providers. My driving is limited so I need them nearby. I am relieved and happy to have gone ahead with the cochlear.

Jump to this post

I'm wondering which implant you have chosen.You are probably entitled to select 2 of the accessories that come with new processors. Has your CI audiologist explained the value of the different accessories that come with your processor?

REPLY
1 reply
bobbiefriend | @bobbiefriend | Jul 17, 2021
In reply to @julieo4 "I'm wondering which implant you have chosen.You are probably entitled to select 2 of the accessories..." + (show)
@julieo4

I'm wondering which implant you have chosen.You are probably entitled to select 2 of the accessories that come with new processors. Has your CI audiologist explained the value of the different accessories that come with your processor?

Jump to this post

Cochlear Nucleus C1632 cochlear implant with Slim Modiolar electrode is the information on the ID card I carry with me.

REPLY
1 reply
bobbiefriend | @bobbiefriend | Jul 17, 2021

My decision to follow the audiologist's recommendations was based more on his geographic accessibility than on my research. I had nice hearing aids prior to getting cochlear; they were from a highly regarded group. But I couldn't visit them readily because they were an awkward distance from me.

REPLY
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Jul 17, 2021
In reply to @bobbiefriend "Cochlear Nucleus C1632 cochlear implant with Slim Modiolar electrode is the information on the ID card..." + (show)
@bobbiefriend

Cochlear Nucleus C1632 cochlear implant with Slim Modiolar electrode is the information on the ID card I carry with me.

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing that. I have the Nucleus Freedom, a few generations ago (2005) It's wonderful that the accessories, processors, etc. are compatible with each new generation. I find the mini mic 2+ especially helpful. I'm currently using the N6 Processor.

REPLY
ChristyJ | @christyj | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @hearingpeg "What insurance are you referring to? Homeowners?" + (show)
@hearingpeg

What insurance are you referring to? Homeowners?

Jump to this post

We have MVP health insurance.

REPLY
1 reply
hearingpeg | @hearingpeg | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @christyj "We have MVP health insurance." + (show)
@christyj

We have MVP health insurance.

Jump to this post

Thank you

REPLY
Coppermoon | @coppermoon | Jul 18, 2021

I experienced sudden hearing loss in my right ear three days ago. I went to urgent care and they said they could not see a physical blockage or wax or anything. They suggested Sudafed. The problem has not changed. I noticed before that an increase in humidity seemed to affect my hearing. What do I do now?

REPLY
4 replies
Valerie | @lacy2 | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @coppermoon "I experienced sudden hearing loss in my right ear three days ago. I went to urgent..." + (show)
@coppermoon

I experienced sudden hearing loss in my right ear three days ago. I went to urgent care and they said they could not see a physical blockage or wax or anything. They suggested Sudafed. The problem has not changed. I noticed before that an increase in humidity seemed to affect my hearing. What do I do now?

Jump to this post

Oh how horrible... must be very frightening. I have had inner ear issues for months and losing hearing in one or both ears is always on my mind. Sudafed? For hearing loss, am curious to read what other posters have to say who have experiences this.... is your hearing back in that ear yet? J.

REPLY
2 replies
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.