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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.

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willows | @willows | Jan 31, 2023

Hi, I sympathize with your condition and would like to add that I also suffer from hearing loss as a result of acoustic trauma and auditory hallucinations in the form of repetitive musical notes or phrases. I hate it because of the repetitive sounds that seem to go on forever. Sometimes my husband I’d right beside me and will say something and all I hear are nonsense syllables and I panic thinking there will come a time when I can’t hear him at all. Then I will remember that my hearing aids are not in my ears. The hearing aids do help reduce the tinnitus but not enough to make a significant difference with the annoyance that tinnitus causes.I am 75 and have had tinnitus for 35 years.

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kvetch | @kvetch | Jan 31, 2023
In reply to @kmseay "At least for me it has been the case that as my hearing loss becomes more..." + (show)
Profile picture for kmseay @kmseay

At least for me it has been the case that as my hearing loss becomes more profound my tinnitus is noticeable and bothersome whether I have my HA in or not, since I’m no longer very much in touch with environmental sounds. I have also now begun having repetitive musical auditory hallucinations, which I concluded is my brain trying to supply sound as I lose more and more ability to hear the sounds I used to hear all the time. At a recent visit my audiologist confirmed that that is indeed what my brain is trying to do. She has programmed several different subtle sound choices into my HA phone app for me to choose from when I need to lure my brain into listening so that it doesn’t have to create musical noise for itself.

The combination of tinnitus and auditory hallucinations has been upsetting and frightening to me, but I am finding myself comforted by an appreciation of my brain’s remarkable creative efforts to take care of its needs on its own without any conscious assistance. My audiologist assures me this is not mental illness or dementia, which of course are frightening to all of us, just the brain reacting to too much silence where there used to be a rich sound environment.

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My name is Carole. I also experience tinnitus. My hearing aids which I started wearing about one year ago are not always sufficient. I hear several different sounds with the tinnitus for the most part when there are sounds around me (people talking) and my aids are worn, not aware of the tinnitus. When I meditate in the morning I am also not aware of it. Lately I can hear repetitive music as well. Disturbing. Would like to hear more about your experiences. I like one on one rather than a whole community. Thanks

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kvetch | @kvetch | Jan 31, 2023

My first experience here. My nane is carole. Always since adult hood have been HOH. About two years ago tinnitus began. Would like to hear from others. Everyone take care. Have to close. Battery almost gone🌈

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1 reply
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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Feb 1, 2023
In reply to @kvetch "My name is Carole. I also experience tinnitus. My hearing aids which I started wearing about..." + (show)
Profile picture for kvetch @kvetch

My name is Carole. I also experience tinnitus. My hearing aids which I started wearing about one year ago are not always sufficient. I hear several different sounds with the tinnitus for the most part when there are sounds around me (people talking) and my aids are worn, not aware of the tinnitus. When I meditate in the morning I am also not aware of it. Lately I can hear repetitive music as well. Disturbing. Would like to hear more about your experiences. I like one on one rather than a whole community. Thanks

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@kvetch

Welcome to Connect Carole. There have been a lot of discussions about tinnitus, musical ear, hearing loss in general, etc. Do explore those topics as people have many stories to share.

I have profound hearing loss and use both a hearing aid and a cochlear implant processor, so I understand the discomfort level people have with these issues. I don't have answers though, just experiences.

Tinnitus usually starts to abate in time, or we get used to it and it's our new normal. There is research that indicates that it's exacerbated by stress. Of course, it causes stress! So, we need to learn some stress management techniques. Rhythmic breathing is one that I find helpful when stress starts to get me down. Have you tried breathing exercises?

Here's a link that explains it: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324417

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pixie49247 | @pixie49247 | Apr 21, 2023

I’m in the 3 week of Sudden hearing loss. I had my 3 rd ear shot yesterday and if it doesn’t help they won’t do the fourth. I will then get another hearing test to see if hearing aids will work. I will have a MRI next Tuesday. The doctor said it is routine to rule out a non cancerous ear tumor that is rare but it does happen. It’s helping me not to be so scared knowing other people are going through the same thing . Any tips will help!!

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kmseay | @kmseay | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @pixie49247 "I’m in the 3 week of Sudden hearing loss. I had my 3 rd ear shot..." + (show)
Profile picture for pixie49247 @pixie49247

I’m in the 3 week of Sudden hearing loss. I had my 3 rd ear shot yesterday and if it doesn’t help they won’t do the fourth. I will then get another hearing test to see if hearing aids will work. I will have a MRI next Tuesday. The doctor said it is routine to rule out a non cancerous ear tumor that is rare but it does happen. It’s helping me not to be so scared knowing other people are going through the same thing . Any tips will help!!

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I wish you well. I hope the 3rd shot has an effect, and I hope there is recovery for you in the future.

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passerby | @passerby | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @pixie49247 "I’m in the 3 week of Sudden hearing loss. I had my 3 rd ear shot..." + (show)
Profile picture for pixie49247 @pixie49247

I’m in the 3 week of Sudden hearing loss. I had my 3 rd ear shot yesterday and if it doesn’t help they won’t do the fourth. I will then get another hearing test to see if hearing aids will work. I will have a MRI next Tuesday. The doctor said it is routine to rule out a non cancerous ear tumor that is rare but it does happen. It’s helping me not to be so scared knowing other people are going through the same thing . Any tips will help!!

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If you have a tumor (acoustic neuroma) & it can be removed & your hearing is restored then that’s closure. If the shots restore your hearing that’s awesome. I just hope you get your hearing back whatever works.

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passerby | @passerby | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @contentandwell "@colleenyoung @cobweb. My hearing loss started about 14 years ago, apparently age related, or possibly related..." + (show)
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@colleenyoung @cobweb. My hearing loss started about 14 years ago, apparently age related, or possibly related to cirrhosis which was not diagnosed until years later. It took a turn for the worse a few years ago, in clarity. My current aids, Oticon Opn1s, are generally considered to be the best for clarity, or were when I got them about a year and a half ago. Despite that, my hearing is still not great. I really need CC on the TV, and in a noisy environment I am lost. It is very isolating. I think unless there is a giant step forward this is the best I can expect, unfortunately.
JK

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Agreed.

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1 reply
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Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @julieo4 "@kvetch Welcome to Connect Carole. There have been a lot of discussions about tinnitus, musical ear,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Julie, Volunteer Mentor @julieo4

@kvetch

Welcome to Connect Carole. There have been a lot of discussions about tinnitus, musical ear, hearing loss in general, etc. Do explore those topics as people have many stories to share.

I have profound hearing loss and use both a hearing aid and a cochlear implant processor, so I understand the discomfort level people have with these issues. I don't have answers though, just experiences.

Tinnitus usually starts to abate in time, or we get used to it and it's our new normal. There is research that indicates that it's exacerbated by stress. Of course, it causes stress! So, we need to learn some stress management techniques. Rhythmic breathing is one that I find helpful when stress starts to get me down. Have you tried breathing exercises?

Here's a link that explains it: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324417

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Here is a NEW piece of information on tinnitus. Dr. Cliff is a reputable doctor of audiology.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search

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1 reply
Profile picture for Julie, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Julie, Volunteer Mentor | @julieo4 | Apr 22, 2023
In reply to @julieo4 "@kvetch Welcome to Connect Carole. There have been a lot of discussions about tinnitus, musical ear,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Julie, Volunteer Mentor @julieo4

@kvetch

Welcome to Connect Carole. There have been a lot of discussions about tinnitus, musical ear, hearing loss in general, etc. Do explore those topics as people have many stories to share.

I have profound hearing loss and use both a hearing aid and a cochlear implant processor, so I understand the discomfort level people have with these issues. I don't have answers though, just experiences.

Tinnitus usually starts to abate in time, or we get used to it and it's our new normal. There is research that indicates that it's exacerbated by stress. Of course, it causes stress! So, we need to learn some stress management techniques. Rhythmic breathing is one that I find helpful when stress starts to get me down. Have you tried breathing exercises?

Here's a link that explains it: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324417

Jump to this post

Here is a very new video on curing tinnitus. Dr. Cliff is a reputable audiologist who practices in Arizona. He's known for the educational YouTube videos he produces.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search

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