Possible Hearing Loss/ Hard of Hearing?? (long)

RacherBunny

RacherBunny

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Hi! My name is Rachel and I'm new here.

I wanted to get the opinion of everyone here about my possible hearing loss.

When I was very young, I always had really bad ear infections. After having somewhat severe hearing loss due to the infections for 5years, I had surgery to get PE tubes placed and after that didn't work too well, I had my adenoids removed. After my adenoids were removed, and I had no more ear infections and could hear. However, I don't believe I was ever tested to find out if my hearing was ever 100% (I don't think it is 100%, maybe 75-80% hearing). My speech is fine and have never been told to try speech therapy.

I know I have scar tissue on both my ear drums (the left more so than the right), and as far as I can remember I have had some sort of hearing problems.

Some examples are: mishearing things said a few feet away, hearing mumbling, constant bzzzz sounds, not understanding things being said, having to ask people to repeat, manipulating my ear placement to hear a little better, etc...

I have an appointment with my doctor in a few weeks and a few days after that I have a hearing test appointment.

Any insight, comments, or advice is greatly appreciated!!! :ty:

-Rachel
 
Get an ENT to look you over. You are describing easily visible problems. An ENT can tell you anything about what is wrong and any possible treatment.

You are describing conductive deafness.
 
Glad you have an appt with your doctor soon.

And, welcome!

Now, I think TXGolfer will be by shortly.
 
:welcome: to AD!

Born deaf here.
 
Bottesini said:
Get an ENT to look you over. You are describing easily visible problems. An ENT can tell you anything about what is wrong and any possible treatment.
Click to expand...

Should I see an ENT before I see my audiologist for my hearing test or after? or do I even need to see my audiologist if I see an ENT?

Bottesini said:
You are describing conductive deafness.
Click to expand...
Do you know what the options are for conductive deafness? I want to be sure I know my options before I see my doctors in a few weeks.....

Thank you everyone for your quick responses!! :ty:
 
Wirelessly posted (dorothybaez)

You are describing my childhood almost exactly. After my tonsils and adenoids were removed, I contracted encephalitis and almost died.

Started to have serious hearing difficulty in high school and my freshman year of college was ear infection hell.

It's funny now, but I finally went to an ENT after my infected left eardrum burst in the middle of a departmental meeting at work. Sudden, agonized shrieks really frighten people, lol.

I wear HA's now, though not all the time. Without even realizing it, I became really proficient at lip reading, so lots of times I just want to enjoy the peace and quiet.
 
RacherBunny said:
Should I see an ENT before I see my audiologist for my hearing test or after? or do I even need to see my audiologist if I see an ENT?


Do you know what the options are for conductive deafness? I want to be sure I know my options before I see my doctors in a few weeks.....

Thank you everyone for your quick responses!! :ty:
Click to expand...

I would go to the ENT first. Then they can make arrangements for audiology depending upon their findings.

Health problems should be taken care of before going to someone who just wants to sell you a hearing aid.
 
RacherBunny said:
Should I see an ENT before I see my audiologist for my hearing test or after? or do I even need to see my audiologist if I see an ENT?
Click to expand...

It really doesn't matter. I'd probably see an Audiologist first then if they suggest you see and ENT go at that point.

One thing to make sure of is that you go to a proper Audiologist who has a Doctorate in Audiology (AuD.), not someone who is a "Hearing Aid Fitter" or "Hearing Aid Dispenser". You want to make sure that they are doing the testing in a proper sound-proof booth, and that they do a tympanogram (measures how the ear drum reacts to sound and pressure) as well as the Pure Tone hearing test (you wear sound-isolating headphones and listen for "beeps" at various frequencies).

Don't be afraid to ask what credentials your Audiologist has prior to your appointment, and make sure that when they do the various tests that you are given paper copies of the results. This includes a copy of your Audiogram (looks like a graph) , and that the results are explained to you in a way that you understand. Once you have your results, and a copy of your Audiogram in hand (take it home with you!) then if you have any additional questions, we're always happy to help - most of us have been reading Audiograms for decades :)


Do you know what the options are for conductive deafness? I want to be sure I know my options before I see my doctors in a few weeks.....
Click to expand...


It really all depends on how much (if any) hearing loss you have, and if it's all conductive, or is a combination of conductive and sensorineural (nerve damage).
There are traditional hearing aids, which there are a number of different styles.
Also there is a different type of hearing aid called a BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) which is sometimes more helpful for those with conductive HL, or SSD (Single Sided Deafness).


First, I'd see a well respected Audiologist, have a completely hearing screening done and then based on those results the Audie will be able to help you take whatever steps may be needed (which may or may not include an ENT)
 
I think I will just keep my appointments with my primary care doctor and audiologist and not make an appt for ENT yet.

Since I have to get a referral to see any specialist from my primary care doctor, I'll see what she thinks first and go from there. She probably could point in the direction f a good ENT. :)

As for the credentials of the audiologist, here is a link to the doctor I have an appointment with:
Angela T. Lataille, Au.D., CCC-A

I appreciate everyone's help! :ty:
 
dorothybaez said:
Wirelessly posted (dorothybaez)

You are describing my childhood almost exactly. After my tonsils and adenoids were removed, I contracted encephalitis and almost died.

Started to have serious hearing difficulty in high school and my freshman year of college was ear infection hell.

It's funny now, but I finally went to an ENT after my infected left eardrum burst in the middle of a departmental meeting at work. Sudden, agonized shrieks really frighten people, lol.

I wear HA's now, though not all the time. Without even realizing it, I became really proficient at lip reading, so lots of times I just want to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Click to expand...
:shock:
I guess I'm lucky that my ear infections finally stopped after my adenoids were removed!

I couldn't imagine the pain after having an eardrum burst..... My mum told me I was close to having my left pop when I had a really bad infection, but luckily it didn't.

Did you have to have surgery for the burst eardrum?
 
I am pretty sure that you will have to see an ENT at some point to get medical clearance for hearing aids if that's what you end up doing.
 
CSign said:
I am pretty sure that you will have to see an ENT at some point to get medical clearance for hearing aids if that's what you end up doing.
Click to expand...

I didn't have to get medical clearance for my HA's... but then again... I've been wearing them since I was little... so that might make a difference.
 
ash345 said:
I didn't have to get medical clearance for my HA's... but then again... I've been wearing them since I was little... so that might make a difference.
Click to expand...

That's why I said, "I'm pretty sure" and not, "I'm positive". My son has needed medical clearance both times for his HA's. I don't know if it makes a difference peds vs. Adults, and whether or not you've had them before.
 
CSign said:
That's why I said, "I'm pretty sure" and not, "I'm positive". My son has needed medical clearance both times for his HA's. I don't know if it makes a difference peds vs. Adults, and whether or not you've had them before.
Click to expand...

Its a possibility. I also know that it depends on if you go to an Au.D or just a BC-HIS. With and Au.D, you are less likely to need an MD note for hearing aids, but with a BC-HIS (board certified hearing instrument Sciences, fancy name for someone who fits hearing aids) then more insurances with want an MD to sign, or sometimes and ENT...

It prob also depends on your insurance and what they require. Did he need an MD to sign or specifically an ENT?
 
ash345 said:
Its a possibility. I also know that it depends on if you go to an Au.D or just a BC-HIS. With and Au.D, you are less likely to need an MD note for hearing aids, but with a BC-HIS (board certified hearing instrument Sciences, fancy name for someone who fits hearing aids) then more insurances with want an MD to sign, or sometimes and ENT...

It prob also depends on your insurance and what they require. Did he need an MD to sign or specifically an ENT?
Click to expand...

An ENT- which I thought was silly given that he'd already had HA's and received clearance before.
 
Some audiologist won't see you with out seeing an ENT first. Especially if this is your first visit. When I moved and started with a new audiologist, she started to do this, and when I explained that I have been wearing HA since I was 4 so she went ahead and took me. My wife (at that time) tried to do the same thing, but had an ear infection so had to see the ENT first.
 
Wirelessly posted (dorothybaez)

Both eardrums burst so many times, I lost count. No, I never had surgery for it. After getting encephalitis from the hospital, I wasn't about to even consider it. After a series of really nasty ear infections while I was breastfeeding my second child, I ended up with a hole in my left eardrum (had an abcessed eustatian tube around that time), which closed up on its own after a few years.

Actually, while having your eardrum burst is PAINFUL, there is so much relief right after that it's almost worth it.
 
dorothybaez said:
Wirelessly posted (dorothybaez)

Both eardrums burst so many times, I lost count. No, I never had surgery for it. After getting encephalitis from the hospital, I wasn't about to even consider it. After a series of really nasty ear infections while I was breastfeeding my second child, I ended up with a hole in my left eardrum (had an abcessed eustatian tube around that time), which closed up on its own after a few years.

Actually, while having your eardrum burst is PAINFUL, there is so much relief right after that it's almost worth it.
Click to expand...

OY!!! I cannot imagine. I really feel for you! Yikes! :shock:
 
Cheetah said:
Some audiologist won't see you with out seeing an ENT first. Especially if this is your first visit. When I moved and started with a new audiologist, she started to do this, and when I explained that I have been wearing HA since I was 4 so she went ahead and took me. My wife (at that time) tried to do the same thing, but had an ear infection so had to see the ENT first.
Click to expand...

When I called to make an appointment they didn't say anything about an ENT, only a need for a referral from my primary care.

I hope they don't do a surprise attack when I get to my appointment and tell me I can't get my hearing checked without seeing an ENT first :shock:
 
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