Yep. That's what I said. Hearing Loss. I've just found out that I have "significant" hearing loss in both (but primarily the left) ears.
The ringining has been persistant for months, and is mostly just an annoyance (other than it prevents me from falling asleep occasionlly), so I casually made an appointemnt today with an ENT specialist where I had the hearing tests which confirmed his initial diagnosis. Here's a link to hear what tinnitus sounds like.
It's just like that except it doesn't ever stop. Sometimes the tone changes slightly when I eat or yawn. It's most apparent when there's no other sound (like at bedtime).
"Luckily" my hearing loss occurs in the higher frequencies. "Lucky" meaning that right now I have no difficulty hearing normal conversational noise. Not so lucky in that I don't understand well in noisy enviornoments (restaruants, concerts, theater, etc.). Furthermore this type of hearing loss causes difficulty understanding high frequency speech sounds which often give meaning to words. Ch, th, sh, f, p are high frequency sounds. 
I'll be wearing hearing aids within three years. The amount of hearing loss which I'm experiencing is typical in someone 30 years older than I am right now. That's the worst thing about the diagnosis, suddenly I feel old. Much older than I felt 4 hours ago at least.
6 comments:
Charlie -
I'm sorry to hear about your trouble. You may be loosing your hearing, but you are being proactive in good ways, smart move!
I had this experience about 4 years ago. It was worse when I was at work (when I worked at Aspen) and it started when I changed offices. Initially I asked the facilities specialist to look into it (thinking it was the building), but no one else could hear the contineous high pitched noise. It almost drove me crazy! My doctor attributed it to the very high levels of stress that I was experiencing and didn't refer me to an ENT specialist. I applied stress reducers like meditation and the sound eventually stopped .. this (along with my inability to hear in crowded spaces) makes me rethink his diagnosis.
Thank you for sharing this Charlie and please let us know if you hear anything else.
That is a bummer Charlie. I guess all you can say is thank goodness for modern technology and the ability to hear despite hearing loss.
Charlie,
I'm so sorry to hear this!!!! I wish I could do something for you from Ohio. Sadly I can't do much but know that I am thinking of you. I have to agree with what Krsti said. Technology in this area has come so far in the last few years.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Charlie, I'm sorry to hear this news. It is frustrating to not be able to understand conversations and other sounds. Iknow not being able to sleep is hard because it affects so much else in our lives. One thing the doctor told me was that caffeine increases tinnitus and to eliminate it if possible. I was popping two Excedrins at even the hint of a headache because I was afraid it would turn into a mirgraine. With his help I have almost eliminated Excedrin and migraines and the tinnitus is less than it was. I'm glad you found out what it was and are working on soutions. I love you.
Charlie,
I am sorry to hear you don't hear so good and the ringing must be hard to take ... might be a little like being around my humming?
I too have hearing problems it's called selective hearing (ask mom) but other than that I hear pretty well if and when the person talking talks in a normal voice (which is a bit on the loud side :-)) ... but when they speak very softly I often don't hear anything so I just nod my head and smile. Hope your diagnosis isn't as bad as it appears. See you in a few days.
Love,
Dad
PS: Do you want to go skiing (boarding)Friday with me, MaKayla, Greg, Zach, Logan and Kristi?
Charlie,
I am sorry to hear about your hearing loss. I don't think I have every had ringing in my ears, but I cant hear very well in noisy places. I really struggled to hear while in the dining rooms on the cruise. I had always thought it had to do with where I work and the loud noise. I hope things turn around, and the DR is overstating the condition.
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