Today, Dale and I went for another post-op visit with my doctor.
My incision is healing well. Thankfully, it is getting covered up by my hair. Only a little bit sticks out by my ear and I'm very happy about that. Pretty soon I'll be ready for a visit to the salon to get my hair color touched up and I'll be very happy to NOT be a gray haired lady any more. I wonder if they had shaved ALL of my hair off ~ would it ALL have come back gray like the part they shaved off? Eeeee. Let's not think about it!
I had a hearing test and they are now certain that I will NOT regain the hearing in my right ear. This is NOT the result I had hoped for and I was disappointed ~ as I was sure it was going to come back. Some days I would imagine that I would be going about my business and "poof" my hearing would be back! Wishful thinking I guess.
The doctor went over two hearing "aid" options:
1) CROS hearing aids
CROS hearing aids are for people who are deaf in one ear and have normal, or near normal, hearing in the other ear. They consist of two parts. The person wears what looks like two hearing aids. The “hearing aid” on the deaf ear basically consists of a microphone (to pick up sounds on the deaf side) and a transmitter. The transmitter sends these sounds via radio waves to the “hearing aid” on the good ear. This second part of a CROS aid system basically consists of a receiver and an amplifier. It amplifies the sounds it receives from the deaf side, and then feeds these sounds into the good ear.
2) Baha implant
The Baha is a surgically implantable system for treatment of hearing loss that works through direct bone conduction. The Baha consists of three parts: a titanium implant, an external abutment, and a sound processor. The system works by enhancing natural bone transmission as a pathway for sound to travel to the inner ear, bypassing the external auditory canal and middle ear. The titanium implant is placed during a short surgical procedure and over time naturally integrates with the skull bone. For hearing, the sound processor transmits sound vibrations through the external abutment to the titanium implant. The vibrating implant sets up vibrations within the skull and inner ear that finally stimulate the nerve fibers of the inner ear, allowing hearing.
They had a Baha implant simulator at the doctor's office. I tried it on and I do have to admit....IT WAS GREAT. It's A LOT of money and it's surgery, so there is a ton to consider. Oh, they do let you pick the color to match your hair. No, I would not pick gray to match my current color!!
So....two options to research and think about. The doctor feels the Baha is the better of the two options ~ but of course, it's my decision.
I don't suppose any of you reading this are walking around wearing one of these?? If so, I'd love to hear what you think.
Too much thinking today ~ boy it would be nice if someone else made the decisions!!
Oy, so much for you to have to consider while you recover your walking ability. I have a friend who will be receiving a BAHA implant. He has his titanium piece in place and is waiting for that healing phase to end before continuing. Another option for you may be a cochlear implant which sounds similair to the CROS.
ReplyDeleteI can connect you up with people in your area who are succeeding with a hearing loss, when you're ready.
Your attitude is great even though each day sounds like a unique struggle. You and Dale are very inspiring, though you're probably sick of hearing that.
We're pulling for you kid.
Sandy and Barbara
I do not have any kind of device to enhance my hearing (really nothing was available when i had surgery) but the BAHA is supposed to be incredible. Jan (leapyrtwins) is HUGE fan and would LOVE to talk to you about it. For me, I just won't have another "elective" surgery right now (at least not until the kids are MUCH older)after I had the T3 last year on my face & had so many complications. There is another option that is more like the BAHA in concept and supposed to be a LOT better than the CROS. It is called a TransEar and if I understand correctly, you only wear something in your AN ear - it touches the bone inside your ear and "transfers" the hearing over to your good side thru the bone. I don't know about you, but I would much rather only have something in ONE ear. Give it a little time, though, before you decide. For me, I knew there was no other option, but it worked out (but doesn't for many) - the worst was when someone (or Dave) would try to whisper in my ear. For me though, most of my hearing (except whispering or phone calls) was affected before the surgery - probably NOT the case for you if you were hoping yours would come back! Glad everything else was good! :o)
ReplyDeleteKathy,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! So happy you did so well back at work. You are right, you work with a great bunch of people, and I KNOW they were happy to see you!
Those hearing aid options ARE a lot to think (and learn!) about! Gotta love new technology!
(A cute memory: when I was five, back in the stone ages, we moved to Grand Rapids, and I met a new friend. She was partially deaf. Her hearing aid included a red and white wrapped wire that ran from inside her shirt to her ear. It reminded me of the strings of a cowboy hat, and I was always jealous she got to look like a cowboy, and wished I could too. I had my own uniqueness, though, wearing patches on my eye, then red and green lens in my glasses. I think the cowboy look would have clashed!) Peggy V
Oh, I didn't know that there are so many options to regain hearing after surgery, very good!
ReplyDeletebest regards,
Thomas (pobably getting AN surgery himself)
Kathy~
ReplyDeleteJust really curious as to how you are doing??
Thanks for checking in Thomas. Keep us posted on your journey.
ReplyDeleteDale & Kathy