Hi @bbeazley, welcome to Connect. I'd like to bring fellow members @joangela @mikepa @sharieberts @julieo4 @tennbee and @cwallen9 into this conversation. I also think you might like to read and join in this conversation:

– In this Hearing World, how do you fit in? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/in-this-hearing-world-how-do-you-fit-in/

BBeazley, do you find with increased hearing loss that you are isolating yourself more and more? What activities do you currently enjoy doing and which ones have you stopped doing?

Yes I do isolate myself. I have had trouble for many years trying to decide what I like to do.

I am just here to tell you I am going through the same thing. It is no fun having to rely on hearing aids for most hearing. It use to be wearing the hearing aids would help a great deal with the tinnitus, but not as much when it got worse. Stay away from loud noises when you can. Static noise is a distraction for tinnitus though. All my best.

Thank you for making me feel normal. Managing the difference sound pitches makes a challenge but for me I can lean on prayer, meditation and bible reading…and of course staying away from loud things.

Hello I was diagnosed with Otosclerosis and I am looking for a good surgeon in IL any subjection? Thank you

Hi @momisthebest714 I was diagnosed with otosclerosis 18 years ago. I was fortunate that my ENT was very familiar with it and directed me to one of two experienced surgeons for stapedectomies. My left stapes bone collapsed first and I had it surgically replaced 17 years ago. My other ear went 5 years ago and I had another stapedectomy. Both very successful. I say successful because when the stapes bone collapsed, it blocked the hole to the inner ear and I was not getting any sound vibrating through to the inner ear. After both surgeries, I have moderate to severe mixed hearing loss. But high end hearing aids help me function very well except in cocktail party type situations. I am in Philadelphia where we have two well known teaching hospitals, University of Penn and Jefferson Hospital, and each has an experienced surgeon who has done many of these surgeries each year. I am not familiar with Illinois, but I would expect that one of your University Hospitals should have a strong otolaryngologist department that performs these. Ask how many surgeries of this type they do each year. Good luck with it and don't hesitate to ask more questions as you move forward.