I woke up deaf: Update

Summary

In this heartfelt update, the speaker reflects on their ongoing journey with sudden hearing loss, sharing the emotional and physical challenges they've faced over the past month. They discuss symptoms like distorted hearing, robotic voices, and a newfound tinnitus-like sound. Despite these difficulties, the speaker expresses gratitude for the supportive community and highlights the importance of self-advocacy in health. Embracing vulnerability, they also reveal how their lifestyle has changed, finding solace in quieter activities and a deepened appreciation for music. This video offers valuable insights on resilience, self-care, and the power of community support.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gratitude for the support received from viewers, including comments, messages, and shared experiences. The sense of community is highly appreciated.
• 🎧 The speaker is experiencing sudden deafness, which is characterized by distorted hearing, such as robotic sounds and echoing in one ear.
• 💊 After taking a prescribed steroid (prednisone) for 10 days, no significant improvement in hearing was noticed, though distorted hearing persisted.
• 🧑‍⚕️ The speaker underwent hearing tests that did not show significant hearing loss, but they still struggle with distorted hearing, which is difficult to measure objectively.
• 🌀 New symptoms, such as a constant bassy sound in the ear (potentially tinnitus), have developed recently, adding to the challenge of coping with the condition.
• 📱 The speaker is experiencing a sensitivity to loud noises (hyperacusis), making social situations, like busy restaurants, much harder to navigate.
• 🚶‍♀️ Social interactions have changed; the speaker avoids loud environments and limits phone conversations, seeking quieter, calmer activities like reading, knitting, and spending time outdoors.
• 🎶 Despite the discomfort, music has become a meaningful part of the speaker’s life again. Listening to music at a low volume, in short intervals, helps with emotional well-being.
• 💪 The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, urging others to trust their instincts, ask questions, and not simply accept everything the doctors say.
• 💖 Vulnerability has been a powerful lesson for the speaker. Sharing personal experiences online has not only helped them but has also benefited others who might be going through similar struggles.
• 🌟 The speaker expresses immense gratitude for the support received from the community and encourages others to share their own stories, emphasizing the power of shared experiences.

Q & A

What are the main symptoms the speaker is experiencing with their hearing?

The speaker is experiencing distorted hearing, including robotic-sounding voices, echoes, and a feeling of double hearing. They also mention recently developing a deeper, wind-like sound in their ear, which may be a form of tinnitus.

What treatments or recommendations has the speaker received from medical professionals?

The speaker was prescribed prednisone (a steroid) for 10 days, but saw no significant improvement. They were advised to wait for an MRA scan, which may take several months. Hearing aids were recommended against, as it might hinder the recovery process. They were also advised to try to adjust to normal hearing without relying on aids.

What is the speaker's experience with hearing tests, and how do distorted sounds complicate diagnosis?

The speaker underwent hearing tests, but no significant loss was found in their hearing. The tests focused on measurable hearing loss, but distorted hearing, which is subjective, is not easily measurable, making it difficult for doctors to assess improvements in the speaker's condition.

What is 'diplacusis' and how is it related to the speaker’s symptoms?

Diplacusis is a condition where sounds are perceived differently in each ear, such as hearing a sound as if it's in two distinct pitches. The speaker mentioned that they thought this might be a cause of their double hearing sensation, although it remains a symptom rather than a formal diagnosis.

What is 'hyperacusis', and how does it affect the speaker's daily life?

Hyperacusis is a condition where sounds become much louder and more uncomfortable than they are for others. The speaker described feeling overwhelmed by loud environments, such as busy restaurants, and needing to avoid places where noise becomes unbearable, as it makes them feel disoriented.

How has the speaker's social life been impacted by their hearing issues?

The speaker has significantly changed how they socialize. They now avoid loud environments, such as large groups or noisy restaurants, because the sounds are overwhelming. They also talk less on the phone and prefer using speakerphone or limiting calls to short durations.

What coping strategies has the speaker developed to manage their symptoms?

The speaker uses noise-canceling headphones to rest their ears from external sounds and has reduced screen time to avoid the overwhelming sound of scrolling through social media. They’ve also embraced quieter activities like knitting, reading, and spending time outdoors in nature.

How has the speaker's relationship with music changed since experiencing hearing issues?

Music, which was a significant part of the speaker’s life, became uncomfortable at first. However, the speaker has slowly reintroduced music at a low volume, which has helped them reconnect with it. They’ve gained a newfound appreciation for music, which continues to be an important emotional outlet.

What is the speaker's perspective on vulnerability and sharing personal experiences online?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, particularly in sharing personal struggles like hearing loss. They mention how creating a video on their condition was uncomfortable but ultimately beneficial, as it helped others who were going through similar experiences.

Why does the speaker stress the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare?

The speaker highlights the need to be one’s own advocate when it comes to health issues. They stress that people should trust their intuition, stand up for themselves, and not accept inadequate responses from healthcare providers. Self-advocacy ensures that individuals take an active role in managing their health and well-being.