Losing Sound

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 (b...

👂Update!👂  Hello all!  Thank you so much to all of you that have reached out or shared this blog. Again, my sincere hope is to connect and reach any one that may be going through any of the topics that I discuss.  About 2 weeks ago I had my annual hearing test. This is my 7th year for my hearing test and this year marked my most significant decline yet. After meeting with the ENT and Audiologist I am being referred for hearing aid trial and a Ponto bone anchored hearing system trial. After that appointment I will be meeting with a new specialist in my ENT's office. My ENT is speculating that my decline is due to many ear infections as a child. I also found out that my T-tubes that were put in last year (hoping to last 2 years) are out after only 10 months. I have had pain and pressure again due to my Eustachian tube disorder. There may be more sets of tubes in my future, but we will see after I go see the specialist and possible future testing. For the pa...

Hello! It's been a long time since my last update. It has been 4 months since my revision and I wanted to blog today to discuss the developments. Improvements: Little to no pain and jaw/muscle fatigue. My previous blogs discussed my journey and the pain I have endured for the past 6 years. Now, I rarely, if it all feel pain in that area. Not wearing bite guard any more. Speech has drastically improved. I've had several clients, friends and family members remark in the difference. I notice a difference in the way I speak and express myself. It sounds less restricted and more clear. I don't stumble over my words the way I used to. Singing is so much easier! I have had several clients that I've known for many years remark in the difference and I'm shocked by how little my jaw moves now when I sing. I find myself opening my mouth less to create sound.  I can play my saxophone pain free! Over the holidays especially, my saxophone was out a ...

Hello again! Can I just say what an amazing week this has been? My revision was exactly a week ago. I won't lie, it was kind of painful. The 2 needles and numbing cream stung being that it is in such a thin area. The laser smelled with the ties being removed. The wound looked like a giant hole at first and within 8 hours it had transformed back into new tissue. It was amazing how quickly it healed. They say that happens with the mouth and fast healing.  Immediately my mother noticed that my lisp was gone. I never had a strong lisp and I'm not sure many people would have noticed it, but my voice had a tight sound to it, especially with "the" sounds. I had several people throughout the week comment that they noticed the change too. Probably the best change was the change that happened in my singing!!! I have had a few music therapy sessions this week and was immediately struck by the clarity in my voice. Clients whom I have known for several years also noticed t...

New Road Ahead........... And here we go! I have a date for my tongue tie removal. I'll be heading in September 9th! Everything happened very quickly. I just completed my second speech therapy session and am noticing some minor changes. I can see the challenges that will face me. My body will have a lot of work ahead to revert from the familiar use with the facial, tongue, neck and jaw movements.  Some Exciting Prospects Decreased anxiety, decreased TMJ pain, possibility in stabilization for my hearing, less pressure on my joints and PLAYING MY SAXOPHONE AGAIN! :)  In my first blog, I discussed the sadness of losing my hearing and the ability to use my saxophone. Any musicians and or parents reading this can identify, after having kids and other issues that take you away from you art form and or hobbies are hard! I've gone through so many times of finding my identity as my art form has stayed in the background. I'm making it a priority after I get throu...

The Next Turn......... Hi everyone! Thank you for those of you that reached out after my first blog. I appreciate your kind words and support very much. I'm really hoping that some one through this blog may learn something and benefit from it. Update!! After much debate and consideration due to the 1.5hr drive each way from my work and home to the speech and myofunction therapist, I did finally have my evaluation 2 weeks ago. It lasted 2hrs and was very comprehensive. I basically learned that my symptoms are pretty severe due to the ties. She discussed my muscle fatigue in my TMJ due to the overcompensation of the muscles. She was surprised at my ability to play my woodwind instruments and sing. She also highlighted some issues with my jaw being too small and not being aligned. Apparently there is as doctor who has finally pieced symptoms together such as mine and has found that it is due to jaw size and positioning. She recommended later that I consult with an ALF dentist...

 Some where over the Atlantic Ocean, June 2011 "Ouch!!!" That is all I am able to communicate to my husband Brian as we make our way home from Madrid Spain. I'm feeling pressure and extreme pain in both of my ears as we descend to our destination of NYC. I have had minor similar experiences to this when I have flown in the past. I figured that by the time we reached land that my ears would normalize again. No, this time wouldn't be the case. After a few days I made an appointment with my ENT and his finding was that I had Eustachian tube disorder. I knew that from the past when I was a child and was almost a candidate for tubes in my ears. My doctor suggested something to clear my nose and ears out. A week later I'm back in his office. The extreme pain and pressure haven't subsided and I'm at my wits end. I'm a full time music therapist and this pain just isn't making work an easy task. I rely on sound and vibrations all day to work wit...