Hearing problem.

LegacyUser

I don't know where to post this. I have got medical advice. But I do feel bursting into tears right now. It's just knocked me to the ground today. I got a hearing check up and I was told that my hearing has detriorated slightly. (the thought of saying this is haunting) It might not seem like a big deal to others. But at 24 been moderate to severe deaf it's really scary. I haven't told anyone and I didn't tell my parents. I am afraid to say it to someone because I will feel like im looking for sympathy and I do not want people to be worrying or feel my own fear. I will be getting digital hearing aids in november. But I really don't want to lose my hearing. Can anyone share their thoughts or some peace of mind or help. Is this normal? Do people who are not deaf have this problem? I consider myself a strong person, but its really scared me right now

MizzLolly

Hey OP,

I find your post really interesting because you seem so ashamed and secretive about something you have absolutely no control over. Okay so you've been told your hearing isn't 100%. The solution to this is giving you hearing aids so you will no longer be straining to hear what's been said. Once you've been fitted with the hearing aid you will be well able to hear what's going on around you. So why the fear?

Look at it this way, it's just like when somebody has their eyes tested and are told they need to wear glasses. There's no difference whatsoever. Try looking at it this way rather than some huge, abnormal shock that people wont understand. It's just like wearing glasses!

I don't want to appear to belittle your worry, I can understand the shock and the anxiousness of something like this but trust me, it's really not as bad as it seems. I've suffered with my ears since I was a young child, having numerous operations, antibiotics, hearing tests etc. I was constantly suffering with horrible, painful ear infections which would bleed and cause me to literally cry myself to sleep. Apart from the pain and the time I missed from school (it lasted from the age of about 3 - 17) it also caused a lot of hearing loss and at 12 I was fitted with hearing aids. Try going into school at an awkward teenage phase with them on! And still, it wasn't that bad. I was fine and the very first thing I noticed when I stepped out of the audiologists' office was the fact that birds sing and chip so loudly outside. It was great, I spent the next day or two listening to certain sounds over and over again (silly things like the sound of the door handle being moved etc) it was an absolute novelty to be able to hear all these things I never even realised I was missing out on.

I know it's scary now but try not to be so worried. Tell your family. It's really not anything to be ashamed of. Like I said, it's just like wearing glasses.

Best of luck with the hearing aids. I hope my post isn't read as undermining your fears but I really can't stress enough how easy it all is once you've gotten used to them. Plus, they're practically invisible so don't worry about that. Also, you may not need them forever, surprisingly, I stopped using mine when I was 16. That's not to say I won't need them again (in fact I've noticed a drop in my hearing the last few weeks myself) but I know from the last time that if I have a choice between being deaf or wearing a tiny, invisible thing that allows me to hear, then I'll choose the hearing aid everytime. It's really not a big deal.

Good luck

LegacyUser

Thanks for your reply. I may not have posed my post well. I am deaf already. Only moderate to severe. i wear hearing aids already. I have wore them in school and carried through life with them. I never let the dissability get to me because I beleive when you have a dissability it tells you to find your ability.

I had a hearing test today and the lady told me my hearing has deteriorated slightly in four years. I'm worried this is progressive. this is not something I need. I've been through the mill in many things in life. I just don't want to wake up one day not been able to listen to music. It's shocking for me to take in that my own hearing is already detriorating at 24.

MizzLolly

Ah okay, I see! Now we're on the same wavelenght, I didn't realise you already had a hearing difficulty. I picked up your post that you'd gone for a routine check up and found that you needed hearing aids and were scared to tell anyone.

Well, you definately are in a considerably more delicate situation than first understood. I'm very sorry to read that you've recieved this bad news. I know that sick feeling you get in your tummy when you're told your hearing has deteriorated, I've been there before too and I do sympathise with what's happening to you. It's more the fear that it's getting worse and you are scared that someday you will not be able to hear anything at all? Have you talked to your audiologist about these fears? Have you been told already that you may eventually lose all hearing? If not, do speak to your audiologist or doctor and let them know how scared you are. They may be able to put your mind at ease or, worst case scenario, confirm your fears but help you to prepare to cope with it by referring you to a counsellor perhaps. You definately shouldn't be dealing with this on your own. You poor thing! I still think that you should tell your family, let them support you. Also, stay in contact with your audiologist and get the answers you need to any of the uncertainties you have.

At twenty four it certainly is a shock to be feeling that you may lose your hearing fully in the coming years. Do speak to somebody who can help you accept and process what you're feeling now. And stay close to your family, once you've told them you'll feel some of the weight lift off your shoulders.

I wish there was something more I could say to help. I really hope that everything works out well for you.

Take care

username123

unregistered77 wrote: »

I don't know where to post this. I have got medical advice. But I do feel bursting into tears right now. It's just knocked me to the ground today. I got a hearing check up and I was told that my hearing has detriorated slightly. (the thought of saying this is haunting) It might not seem like a big deal to others. But at 24 been moderate to severe deaf it's really scary. I haven't told anyone and I didn't tell my parents. I am afraid to say it to someone because I will feel like im looking for sympathy and I do not want people to be worrying or feel my own fear. I will be getting digital hearing aids in november. But I really don't want to lose my hearing. Can anyone share their thoughts or some peace of mind or help. Is this normal? Do people who are not deaf have this problem? I consider myself a strong person, but its really scared me right now

Hi OP,
Im sorry that you had bad news like this. I would think its totally normal for someone to be freaked out and scared after getting that news. I do not think its something you should feel afraid to talk about, keeping a burden like that inside will hurt you more, let it out and share it, you may find its easier to deal with when you talk about it with family or friends.

I agree with the other poster who said to speak to your doctor about your fears for the future, this is VERY important, please do this, because you may find that the prognosis is not as bad as you feel it is right now.

It may not be much of a comfort but many of us have medical issues that may or may not get worse with time and its highly unlikely that anyone goes through life completely free of any medical problem. So if you do talk to people they will be able to relate and understand, even if they have not experienced your specific issue.

As well, you have gotten a big shock, which is making this seem worse right now, I think you need to mind yourself for the next few days, eat well, sleep well and try not to stress and things may seem brighter when the initial shock has passed.

I wish you all the best.

ReacherCreature

Hello OP, I'm in sortish similar circumstances, if you wish you could PM me(if you've a boards account) and have a chat about it?