"The HUM", a persistent Low Frequency Noise

Julie, I looked for a way to send you a private message but came up empty. Maybe it’s not an option yet as I’m new here? Whatever the case, I don’t mind publicly stating that I’m in Sacramento. I would surely be interested in connecting with others in my area who are experiencing the same issues.

Weird that today, my ears seem pretty good. The only issue I’m experiencing is a loss of low frequencies in one ear. Of course, who knows what tomorrow will bring …

Yes. He said he didn't think it (or a bone anchored device) which bypasses the bad ear would be that beneficial to me. He said it helps only slightly with sound localization, doesn't reduce tinnitus, and doesn't help with filtering background noise or multiple voices. Whereas a cochlear implants uses the bad ear and would likely help me with my most troubling issues of SSHL. My husband wants me to get the Osia which is covered by Medicare but it's difficult to choose that when the specialist/surgeon says that if it were him he would only do the Cochlear Implant.

Medicare often does cover single sided deafness for cochlear implants, but it may take some personal advocacy.

The CI manufacturers will go to bat for you if your medical team has determined that a CI would work well for you. I know, personally, that Cochlear Americas has had excellent results on this issue.

Who told you Medicare would not cover the CI procedure?

The surgeon's, Dr Michael Murray, office gave me a private pay estimate. I asked if they could try to get an approval from Medicare and the gal just said Medicare doesn't cover it. And that was it. I didn't really know who to talk to after that.

Once you decided a CI was the way to go, did you talk to Dr. Murray? Is he an audiologist or an ENT? I think you said ENT before.

I encourage you to advocate for yourself on this. Talk to the doctor again. Not sure 'the gal' knows everything. Medicare does decline procedures that are considered experimental. Cochlear implants are NOT experimental, and there is a great deal of research that indicates they change quality of life for recipients.

Medicare does cover it, but often it needs to be pushed. Again, the CI manufacturers have a department that works to get insurance coverage for CI candidates. Ask your doctor to contact the CI provider he suggests for you. As mentioned before, Cochlear Americans went to bat for me.

You may find more information to justify advocacy at: https://www.acialliance.org

Have you considered getting a second opinion?

@videojanitor Thank you for sharing your location. There is a strong presence of HLAA in California. While there is no chapter located in Sacramento, there are others in that general area. The CA website has a lot of information. During COVID, many events have been held online, so people from afar have become more involved. I suggest you check the website: http://hearinglossca.org/about-us/governance/board-of-directors/ NOTE: This address relates to the HLAA California board of directors, but will bring up all the info at the site. HLAA is about PEOPLE with hearing loss. Learning about these leaders is enlightening as they are all volunteers. As I've said before, meeting other people who 'get it' about our hearing issues can be life changing.

@videojanitor Thank you for sharing your location. There is a strong presence of HLAA in California. While there is no chapter located in Sacramento, there are others in that general area. The CA website has a lot of information. During COVID, many events have been held online, so people from afar have become more involved. I suggest you check the website: http://hearinglossca.org/about-us/governance/board-of-directors/ NOTE: This address relates to the HLAA California board of directors, but will bring up all the info at the site. HLAA is about PEOPLE with hearing loss. Learning about these leaders is enlightening as they are all volunteers. As I've said before, meeting other people who 'get it' about our hearing issues can be life changing.

I have similar issues. The tinnitus was a pleasant whooshing sound in time to my heart beat initially and I still had excellent hearing. Then a few months later I suffered SSHL & went severely deaf in that ear and the tinnitus changed to an unpleasant, non-pulsating buzzing static sound that is constant but varies in loudness. My rt ear is now hypersensitive. Everything is louder and startling. My husband is emptying the dishwasher and I just want to scream. I hate being in the kitchen with him at same time when we prepare meals. Restaurants are horrible or even visiting with 3 people in a home takes real effort and is tiring. Sound localization is frightening to me. Once I thought we were having a freak summer rain storm because I heard it pouring outside, so put on my raincoat to take the dog out. Figured out it was the dishwasher running. The fullness in my ears, feeling like I'm underwater or in a barrel fluxuates and sometimes when I talk the sound reverberates or buzzes in my deaf ear so that I don't want to talk. But fortunately that doesn't happen all the time. If I raise my voice for any reason it always does but often even when my voice is low. It's such a difficult experience because everyone's symptoms are a little different and they change hour to hour. I'm trying to meet the challenge but my world has become very small & I seldom leave the house. I'd like to get the cochlear implant that my Dr recommends but Medicare will only cover an Osia bone anchored device since I have good hearing in my right ear.

Agree about hypersensitivity which is the symptom that could really keep one isolated. Walking on a sidewalk when a truck goes by and sounds like a jet taking off could make a person think twice about going out. Surviving in a restaurant where voices are hugely elevated (add music) requires a lot of tolerance. I’d like to know more about hyperacussis - it doesn’t seem it can be treated. I force myself to take on these challenges but it’s not easy (and exhausting). Thanks for sharing these stories.

Is there an HLAA in RI or around Boston?