they did an evoked auditory response thingy when i was there, not an ABR...i thought that's what the above guy was talking about. i sat there, they put earplugs in my ears and i didn't have to do anything but it wasn't an ABR because they told me they still want me to get one. only reason i know it was a brainstem thing was because i asked and that's what they told me.
and you're right...i don't really know my doctors at all. i was sent there on a whim by my general doctor and you're right...i haven't taken the initiative to really get to know them. which i should have and still need to.
and by the way...i am pursuing it all. thanks.
is it all messed up? yeah. and if i was on the outside looking in on all this, i would say the same thing as you did. i do know what's happening with my body though, and was just trying to reach out for some help because i honestly don't know what to do. i'll figure it out though, thanks for what you have helped me out with.
Sudden and severe hearing loss can boggle the mind and leaves you little time to grieve for what you have lost. This time last year, I had severe hearing loss in my right ear and mild in my left. Now? I have a CI that will be activated on Thursday because I now have profound loss in both ears with no speech comprehension. That is quick, and painful, and sometimes the mind doesn't think clearly as things are hitting you from all sides.
You said your hearing has gotten worse in the last week, try having it get worse overnight. I went to bed with mild hearing loss and woke with moderate to severe loss, that quick. It has happened to others as well, and it is scary.
I know it sounds hard, but you have to step back a little right now and put emotion to the side. I know there are some who say "just deal with it" but, you have to try and find out why it happened to make sure there is no other health issue involved. If this set of doctors won't help, then find one that will. It is your right to ask for a referral and copies of any tests/results this group has. Once you find the right doctor, he/she can rule out medical issues such collapsed blood vessels, tumors, etc. Then you can grieve for what you have lost and even take a "f... it" attitude, it's all part of the process. It does help to cultivate your sense of humor and try and laugh as often as you can.
You have an advantage that many of us hit with sudden hearing loss don't have, the ability to sign. Use it, and your interpreters to try to get on with life and once your ready, if that time comes, check into a CI or not...the final choice is up to you. I can't tell you it will be great, I have no clue, yet...but for someone who is totally oral, knows no sign and only knows one person that actually uses sign (found that out last week), a CI was my first choice. And yes, you came to the right place for advice and help, that is what we are here for. But, just as you have different ideas running around in your head, we have different approaches and ideas as well. Hang in there.
plus a new ear mold for the left
woohoo
