Deaf...just another curve ball

:(     :(    :(

Bisch

         :mad:

Bisch

       

Bisch

:eek:                            :(

Bisch

[cacciatore]

Sorry to hear that,Jeff. I hope you can heal someway.

[gifford, MO]

Tippit - prayers for a successful surgery, I've worked with a couple of folks that had it done and worked out well for them once they got used to it. They said sounds are different afterwards but with patience it works out in the end.

I have had the single side variety, almost 30 years now. At that time, the Doc says well, at least you got one side that works. Chances of losing the second side are about nil. I just was grateful one side worked.

I can say that if I lose the second one, yep, I'd do the same thing you are doing. Good Luck.

[tippit]

Kaz,
I don't know about the Bear Quest Legend stuff...that sounds like another word for just being Old.

[Captain*Kirk]

Originally posted by tippit:
Kirk,
Thanks so much for your response.  My history goes back 20 years ago I had sudden hearing loss and was deaf in one day.  At the time they thought it was an autoimmune response.  On steroids for a year!  Hearing would come and go but never got it back in my right ear...50% in left ear.  You are correct in that the experts don't know what triggers it...viral, old age usually slow loss but can come on suddenly.  I'm still hoping for it to come back as it has been up & down this past week.  I'm still going to have the cochlear implant in my non hearing right ear with the hopes of improvement.  I posted this mainly to see what dealings people had with this condition...not to feel sorry for myself.  The kindness and concern of Trad Gang has come through Loud & Clear.  Thanks to all of you...tippit

Jeff;
  FYI the link appears to be operational this am.  

 http://www.nature.com/articles/srep03927

Good reading and very informative.
I concur with your decision to go forward with the implant in the bad ear. After 20 years you're not likely to regain hearing in that ear. But the 'new' deaf ear..you are still well within the window of recovery. I would urge you to start the sound therapy immediately and try the zinc and GB tabs for 30 days. I was completely deaf in that ear for almost a month and once I began therapy it took almost a month to get to a stable place. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Doctors really have very little idea what causes SSNHL. As my hearing Dr. told me; "The only way to know for sure is with an autopsy...and I think you're a little early for that." He did tell me that there is a silent epidemic going on (sorry, pun intended) with this in the US...he feels it is a viral thing. He said that since starting practice in the 1980's he would treat on average 5 cases of SSNHL per year, but that about 5 years ago it jumped to over 100 cases per year and has been maintaining or rising ever since. It's being discussed at all the ENT seminars, apparently. At this time there are no answers but is suspected to be a viral infection possibly originating from another country. (this is what he told me, 'off the record') He also pointed out that many people do not report or investigate SSNHL, they just accept the decision they "went deaf in one ear" and move on with life.
Don't do that. Fight back. You could be fighting the viral thing and the treatment is prednisone, followed by the therapy I recommended. Just do it.
Whatever you decide, please keep us informed.

[Captain*Kirk]

Jeff,
I hope things are improving for you.
One last comment before I leave this alone, for everyone else out there:
Both hearing doctors (ENT specialists) I saw told me the same thing; if this happens to you or one of your loved ones, what will happen is you will probably go to the ER (I did) and the staff ER Dr. will find no cause (happened to me) and send you home with an Rx for Claritin and a referral to an ENT within the next week or two.   WRONG! Both Dr.'s and everything you find on the 'net indicate it is CRITICAL that you begin steroid treatment,   preferably within the first 48 hours for it to be effective. In many cases, immediate treatment patients showed a 100% recovery rate while the ones that waited two weeks or more suffered permanent hearing loss. Yeah, it's that critical. Don't even waste your time with the ER...they can't help you and you are losing valuable time. Contact an ENT immediately and tell them you (or a loved one) has suffered SSHL (they know what it means!) and that it is an emergency! Don't take "No" for an answer.  I feel the 5 days I waited (and wasted taking Claritin) are probably responsible for the small percentage of permanent loss (15-20%) I've endured. What's even more astounding is that general ER hospital staff is totally clueless about this epidemic and how to treat it. Again, sorry to beat this to death, but if I can help one person...just ONE...avoid permanent hearing loss damage, I'll talk about it 'til my lips turn blue. Just file this info in your memory vault in case it ever happens to you or a loved one and remember;   steroids within 48 hours may bring about a complete recovery.  
You take it for granted until you lose it. Don't let it happen.

[oldgoat]

I am always late to the party. Jeff we've never met but have in joyed your knives and stories  even if you hang around Joe L. Just kidding. I've worn AIDS for 30+yrs 90%+ lose in both ears. I've had a long learning curve with the aids and I know your are implants but you also will have adjustment period then moisture problems is the worst. Not sure about the implants but my new aids have Bluetooth built in and damn does it work on my iPhone. Surely technology is out there. Bisch and I can not talk on the phone because he is to OLD. I am working on getting a TV with Bluetooth soon but I live alone and that's not an issue but believe you will be watching it alone!! Prayers. Bob

[BRITTMAN]

Prayers for your healing

Originally posted by oldgoat:
Bisch and I can not talk on the phone because he is to OLD. Bob

You and I can't talk on the phone because of that country-a**ed west Texas accent you have!!!!                    

That, and the fact that both of us are almost as deaf as a rock!

Bisch

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Mate, your bows will be dead quiet and you'll be as silent as a leopard when stalking! All the best!

[oldgoat]

Good luck Jeff
You to Bisch

[longbow fanatic 1]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Praying for a positive outcome, Jeff!

[Elkchaser]

Originally posted by tippit:
Things could be a lot worse.  I feel great @ 70 and all my bows are Dead Quiet.

I'm very sorry about your hearing loss, but this made me giggle!    

[Dave Pagel]

I lost 90% of the hearing in my right ear due to the flu about 15 years ago.  Gone in about 3 days never to return.  The flu attacked the nerve in my ear.

The implant is not supposed to help the type of loss I have.  I have a hearing aid, but about all it does is let me know if someone is talking on my right side.  I can't hear enough to understand the words, but at least I can turn and address them so they don't think I am completely rude.

I have trouble knowing what direction a sound is coming from so it hurts me at times hunting, but I am so fortunate compared to others I know that I won't complain.  My buddies have fun with me because I am always asking what direction a sound came from.  On my last elk hunt, which I doubt I ever do alone again, they were a great help.  I would have been headed in the wrong direction chasing bugles most of the time. It is inconvenient, but if that is worst I have to deal with I am a lucky man.

D.P.

[tippit]

Dave,
When I was hearing, I only had 50% from my left ear and deaf in the right ear...no directional ability at all.  If I did hear leaves rustle I knew it was close & on my left.  One time I was hunting bears with Tom Philips, he was in a stand above me.  He had a stick to tap me on the head and point to where the bear was coming from.  Kinda like a bird dog...I miss that  

[hunt it]

Jeff,

Very sorry to read of your troubles. Prayers for your hearing to come back as fast as it disapeared! All the best for the implant in your one ear. I've battled with hearing loss in one ear since 5 yrs old. It's getting worse as time goes by. Getting old sucks to say the least. Best wishes for good results in both ears.

[elkken]

Wow Jeff ... wishing you the best outcome