Hearing gone

Yesterday, on my return from work, I discovered that I could barely hear in my left ear - my "good" ear.

I'd been grass cutting at work almost all day and I turn my aids off so I didn't really notice until I got home, spoke to my wife and realised something wasn't right.

I checked the aid - it seemed OK so I checked the mould then decided to clean my ear again with cotton buds, which I have to do quite often.

The ear was full of some kind of discharge so I cleaned it out but it didn't make any difference.

I cleaned it out again this morning and found more and a spot of blood so I've been down to the doctor about it as I have done a thorough test of my aids and they're both fine.

The doctor's taken swab to get me checked out and I have some antibiotic ear drops to try but I have to face up to the possibility that it's not temporary and my hearing has virtually gone in what was my good ear.

I couldn't face work and besides I needed to go and wait in the surgery but although I was never told my hearing would go suddenly I think that it may be that so I'm going to have to come to terms with it a lot sooner than I thought.

I was ready for my right ear to fail but this has hit me very hard because it's the better ear that this has happened to, not the right ear. stevmk2

Re: Hearing gone

You have my sympathy and my empathy. I dread losing my sight or hearing having had scares in both departments with a detached retina in one eye and slowly going deaf or at least losing all the high frequencies.

Let's hope your ear comes good again.

Re: Hearing gone

What an awful shock... No wonder you couldnt face work I dont hitnk anyone would after that, I hope its just a temporary thing..

Re: Hearing gone

I'm so very sorry to hear this Steve, really must have been such a shock for you, and your good ear too ! I can well imagine not being able to face work too, you need a bit of time to come to terms with this I would imagine.

Re: Hearing gone

So sorry Steve - its an awful situation to be in
Hope it is temporary x

Re: Hearing gone

Hope you are luckier Bruce. stevmk2

Re: Hearing gone

Thank you all for your kind thoughts - Yes, it did hit me very hard, particularly as it's my good ear that's gone - still the same at the moment so I am beginning to realise that it's not just an infection that'll clear up, although that would be great.

I cracked-up this morning when it dawned on me - really was not expecting the suddenness of it though.

I've got used to the gradual loss but nobody told me it would go virtually overnight.

As luck would have it I met someone today with a Cochlear Implant near my doctor and asked him all about it so now I will contact Audiology to get the ball rolling for this as it does take a long time.

It's the fact that it's my "good" ear that's gone that's caught me unaware as I never, ever thought it would be that ear first.

Back to work tomorrow because I've got to deal with that ASAP as we are totally dependant on what I earn. stevmk2

Re: Hearing gone

Very best wishes to you Steve, hope all goes well at work.

Re: Hearing gone

I wish you all the good luck there is and that it doesn't turn out to be a permanent problem.

Re: Hearing gone

Sorry to hear this Steve, I hope the fact that you are having antibiotic ear drops may mean it is temporary.