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MD and Hearing loss (cochlear implant?)

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luz54475
luz54475

Hi everyone! I was so happy to find this site. I have been struggling with more hearing loss as a result of Meniere's attackes. Over 5 years ago I lost total hearing in my left ear attributed to MD. Doctor had informed me that I had a very slight chance of getting it in my right ear. Well, I got it and have gradually been loosing hearing with every Meniere's attack. Had an attack about a month ago and got 2 steroid injections in my right ear to try to stop more loss. Didn't work for me. Now I barely have  any hearing and my hearing aide is not working much. I do have tinnitus (lots of it in both ears). The ringing fluctuates and at times is intolerable so I take an anxiety medication to help.

Now I am talking with my doctor about a cochlear implant in one ear. They are not making it easy for me to be referred to see if I would be a candidate for one.

My question to you is if anyone have gotten a cochlear implant. How is it working for you? Any suggestions for me?

I find that I am isolating myself in order to avoid having people try to talk to me because I am not able to hear much. My husband now has to try to communicate with me through his ipad. Don't like this feeling at all!!!

Luz (aka:Lucy)

 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • christine_35821
    christine_35821 luz54475

    Posted

    Hi Luz. Where are you living?  Like you I am very concerned about hearing loss as I had already lost 50% both sides before Meniere’s. I had a review with my neurotologist clinic on Tuesday and I will be staying on the high dose of betahistine for the foreseeable future with checks every 6 months. The research I have done over the past year does indicate that a cochlear implant is successful in restoring hearing for Meniere’s sufferers.  If you are in U.K. then you should be entitled to one with bilateral hearing loss.  If I end up in that situation then I would hope that the hearing and balance clinic would help me pursue that course of action as they are specialists in that field. I understand your isolation as I zone out when in noisy crowded restaurants but so far technology has kept ahead of me with hearing aids. I can’t imagine how it would be possible to perform simple tasks like shopping with no hearing. I really hope you get some help soon. Keep us posted. 
  • Bluesmann
    Bluesmann luz54475

    Posted

    Its my understanding that 

    1. for insurance to cover in the USA you need to have poor hearing in both ears.

    2. Once they do it it does take a bit of time to adjust but form what I have read and spoken to those who have had it done after a bit its great as the sound goes into the bone.....not sure of technical term.  

    3. If you have little hearing in both ears not sure why an ENT doesn't want to help you.  Find a new doctor..

    Hope that helps....

  • luz54475
    luz54475

    Posted

    This is Luz. Thank you Christine and Bluesmann for your response and input. I really appreciate it! I live in California and have Kaiser insurance.  My ENT doctor just informed me she made a referral to a specialist, who is a surgeon, to decide if I am a candidate for a cochlear. I just don't understand why they would not approve it if I have no hearing in one ear and very little in the other. I have a feeling I may have to do some advocating for myself.

    With my vertigo and tinnitus no doctor has ever mentioned betahistine. Christine what does it specifically help you with? The only medication I was prescribed was a diuretic, Maxzide 25mgs for the fullness in my ears. I had to ask for the anxiety medication because I could not sleep with all the tinnitus.

    Today I will be going to see the audiologist to try to adjust my hearing aide to see if it will make any difference with my recent hearing loss.

    Wish me luck!!

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