Talking Hearing Loss

My Single Sided Deafness came about after surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma.

I woke up from a craniotomy in ICU and found I was “hearing” buzzing noises but I was not sure where they were coming from, also people were talking but I could not quite make every syllable out. At first, I thought it was the bandages and heavy head but after I could not hear the doctor clicking his fingers and whispering in my ear I was told ‘Nope, she’s deaf but it will come back’.

It’s the swelling they said, it’ll improve they said. It never did.

I have been hit by a van pulling out in a car park, he didn’t see me and I didn’t hear him, it was minor and we were both in shock but I was okay; aside from being a little bruised as was my ego as I thought I’ve got this I’m fine.

So ‘surround sound function’ loss is amusing to my family when they call out and I’m like one of those owls, nearly mastered a full 360 degree head turn. I simply have no idea of where sound is from which makes crossing a road a complete nightmare (throw in vestibular issues as well).

If I’m in a car park, I freeze if I hear an engine.

Dinner conversations are amusing as I sit and smile and nod and say ‘yeah‘ and then having everyone look at me and say ‘What? What do you mean yeah?‘ Ok so I’m not following the whole thread of a conversation. It’s so tiring.

My confidence has taken one helluva beating but I’m getting used to the new me. Slowly.

I’ve been told by an audiologist that no hearing aid will really help as my Cochlear nerve was severed. If a solution involves fiddling with my head then no way!! 3 craniotomies was enough! I’ll plod on. I’m just grateful I’m not alone and others get it when many don’t.

Sam was originally from Sydney, Australia but now lives in England, UK