Many turns

Many turns lately.....


Hi! In my last post I discussed the possibility of a bone anchored hearing device and or hearing aides. I tried both a while back and was amazed at the difference in sound. I didn't realize that I couldn't hear traffic, tires on cars, my feet moving and the air conditioner. I literally cried when I heard all of the sounds with both devices.

Prior to my appointment I had researched and had a lot of questions for both the doctor and audiologist. I found that some of my questions were very important and one especially was "why are you trying to bypass my middle ear?" That question sent the new specialist to the tuning fork test which indicated that I had otoscelerosis. He also mentioned a hole in my hear and thought it best to send me to a new specialist. I was sent for a CT scan and then sent to Penn in Philadelphia, PA.

I sat on pins and needles for the past few weeks. The options going in were explained to me as either a stapedectomy (basically in otoscelersosis the ear bones harden and pistons need to be created for sound to travel through) and or hearing aides.

Today I met my new doctor at Penn. I was scared and prepared. Last night I took out my saxophone and just played, played and cried. I was ready to face what he said. I was ready to come to terms with the fact that otoscelerosis may take my hearing away despite their best efforts. I talked to any one in my inner circle that would listen. I distracted myself with home projects. I continued to explain to my clients that I was losing my hearing. Basically, I went through mourning. 

Luckily I was very surprised. He performed the tuning fork test and this time I passed. 2 doctors tried the test and they were surprised at my outcome. I had a camera go in my ears and the found the hole in my ear drum is basically 40% the size of the ear drum. (the hole is from the tubes and former ear infections as a child) They looked at the CT scan and mentioned that I may have a small amount of otoscelerosis but their primary thought is that my hearing loss is due to my hole in my ear. I am having a tympanoplasty in July. They are going to take cartilage from my ear and use it to patch the ear drum. The surgery will last an hour and my down time will be 5 days. They feel pretty confident with this procedure that my hearing will return to average levels. If they find otoscelerosis in my ears during the surgery they feel that they will be able to scrape some of the hardening down and it should be fine.

Elation! :) I can't really ask for a better outcome right now. I'm hopeful. I'll take it with a grain of salt. I know life is lots of shades of grey and only time will tell if this helps. But hey, I'll happily take this prognosis.

Thank you everyone who continues to follow this journey. I hope this is helpful to some one.

Keep asking questions! Keep researching!! Keep advocating for yourself!  Always have HOPE! <3

Til Next Time.... Keep that music going! ♭♯♮