I've spent the last couple of weeks alternatively bummed and irked and accepting. No, this hearing loss isn't huge on the face of it and yes, others have it far, far worse (aren't there always others who have it far worse?). But this is my reality and I don't much like it.
For your viewing pleasure, here's my hearing test results. The results for my left ear are on (oddly) the right: the Xs are the most recent results, and the dots are from last year. The biggest not good changes have occurred between 500 and 2000 HZ. The reason this matters is that's a big drop over last year. I'm still considered moderate in terms of the loss, although it doesn't feel all that moderate to me and probably not to the people who end up having to repeat themselves.
At any rate, I've met with the audiologist and ordered a hearing aid. It will be here next week and then we'll see if it helps and how much. Fortunately there's a 30 day trial period so if I hate it or it doesn't help me, I'll "only" lose $150.
Funny aside, the audiologist I met with today is the one who did my hearing test last year. At the end of today's appointment, he confessed that he doesn't really remember patients' names, just their hearing test results but when I'd mentioned again today that I'd been in the military, he fully remembered me. The reason I mentioned being in the military and being a musician again was he'd asked me if I had any tinnitus. Look, I said, I was a musician in the Army and we played the 1812 Overture with real howitzers, plus I fronted a rock back. Of course I have tinnitus. I don't know any musician who doesn't, to be honest.
2 comments:
I share your pain & frustration!! I also have tinnitus (constant sound of ciacadas in my ears)and some hearing loss. I went to an audiologist several years ago and was basically told that lots of people our age have it and come back when you can't hear. Dad had it as well so I don't know if it is inherited or ?
I'm glad you have been proactive with it - I hope that it works!!
I hate this frustration for you. Tinnitus for me has been a game-changer. I know I'm crankier, and I'd never before felt the need for sleep aids. But, when all I can hear is that stupid whine like a bulb is about to burn out, I'm truly ready to scream just to drown it out.
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