Update in # 16 - Hearing loss in me

[JustMe]

Sigh. I seem to be getting old.

I have been noticing that when people whisper things to me, I can't hear as they would expect me to. The other day my kids said an alarm clock upstairs was going off and I could not hear it. I happen to work at a place where we have a health specialists who routinely screens kids for hearing issues. She screened me today, and the results showed I need follow-up (I actually think they were pretty bad and I did not hear the higher pitched sounds, which is consistent with age-related hearing loss). So, I made an appt with a local speech and hearing place. Is there anything else I should do?

[oneplustwo]

Is your appointment with an ENT and an audiologist? You want a full hearing exam/evaluation, the kind that lasts an hour, and then the opportunity to go over the results with at least an audiologist, even better with an ENT as well, especially since you want to rule out various potential causes for the change in your hearing. Then, depending on the results, you can get recommendations for what types of hearing aids or other amplification would be best for you as well as recs on where to go for aids.

I have worn hearing aids since I was 6 years old. They're no big deal to me, rather they're like needing to use glasses. Hearing aids nowadays are so high tech and can come with so many bells and whistles, they are kind of fun to pick out what you need/like. Even better, so many people walk around with bluetooth doohickeys in their ears, those of us who wear hearing aids feel a lot less self conscious about having them. The only downside is that they are expensive with a capital E, and are hardly ever covered by health insurance.

There are at least a couple of audiologists on the BBB, so maybe they will chime in.

Hugs, though, it's not fun to deal with changes like this!

[MrsZaz]

I have been wearing hearing aids for the past 10 years (or so). There definitely is an adjustment period and there are certain noise levels that send me in a panic (think Christmas shopping at the mall). But I don't know how I would have functioned without them. My Ds's are in elementary school, it makes it easier to get through PTA stuff, school stuff etc. knowing you'll be able to hear what is going on. Definitely find an audiologist you like - I love mine and would follow her anywhere. She also wears a hearing aid and it is so easy to discuss the quirks of my hearing aids because she 'gets' it. I'm in CT if you want a recommendation.

Colleen

[JustMe]

Is your appointment with an ENT and an audiologist? You want a full hearing exam/evaluation, the kind that lasts an hour, and then the opportunity to go over the results with at least an audiologist, even better with an ENT as well, especially since you want to rule out various potential causes for the change in your hearing.



Thanks for the response. Hmmn, I know there would be an audiologist, but not sure about an ENT. What is an ENT exactly anyway. I am off to look that up.

[JustMe]

Okay, figured out that ENT is ears, nose, and throat.

Thanks also to Colleen for your response. I am not near CT, so can't get a recommendation for you.

Sigh, I am pretty sure there won't be an ENT there, and that would be separate. Not sure which to do first ENT or audiologist?

[BDKmom]

I'm an audiologist, and it sounds like you are doing the right thing. The speech and hearing clinic should have an audiologist who can evaluate your hearing and let you know if there are any red flags that mean there may be an underlying medical condition that needs to be evaluated. They will also be able to tell you if you would benefit from hearing aids.

An ENT is an ear, nose and throat physician. If there are indications of a medical condition, the audiologist will refer you to an ENT for further evaluation. Most ENTs employ audiologist in their office, but audiologists can work in other settings also, and are really the first-step professionals in evaluating hearing.

If you have any more questions, or want to share more details, feel free to PM me.

[JustMe]

Thanks BDKmom. I am pming you.

[DualvansMommy]

I second BDKmom's recommendation to go with an audiologist. Your audiologist should go over your new audiogram throughly with you, and it may be that your loss is temporary depending on the cause too. Depending on the type & degree of loss you have, specific types of hearing aids will help you hear higher frequency sounds better.

I've worn hearing aids all my life and can attest that they are EXPENSIVE, but usually covered by a good warranty for 1-3 years though.

Good luck!!

[JustMe]

I second BDKmom's recommendation to go with an audiologist. Your audiologist should go over your new audiogram throughly with you, and it may be that your loss is temporary depending on the cause too. Depending on the type & degree of loss you have, specific types of hearing aids will help you hear higher frequency sounds better.

I've worn hearing aids all my life and can attest that they are EXPENSIVE, but usually covered by a good warranty for 1-3 years though.

Good luck!!


Thanks! So, after reading these replies and speaking with a friend (who is older than me) who had hearing loss, I have one question. Can the audiologist help in determining the cause? Would it be better to start with an ENT so that I know the cause asap?

I already do have an appt with an audiologist for 9/26.

[DualvansMommy]

I'm not sure if an audiologist can determine the cause, especially when it's considered as late deafened cause vs. from birth cause. I remember my niece had gradual loss in her ears, couldn't hear the lower frequency sounds and the cause was having glue in her inner ears which the ENT doctor found out. Not the audiologist.

so, perhaps if you call your audiologist office for a referral to an ENT before your 9/26 appointment? or even from your primary doctor as you may need a referral from your PCP, depending on your insurance coverage.

so sorry you're going through this, as i'm sure it's very disconcerting and frustrating.

[oneplustwo]

As BDKMom said, a good audiologist should be able to tell you if there are concerns that should be followed up with an ENT. I think you are fine seeing the audiologist first and getting the full evaluation, but I would still see an ENT after that to make sure all possible medical causes/issues are looked into. In other words, I don't think it matters too much who you see first, but I would see both.

[JustMe]

Thanks! Just getting a little worried about what the cause may be b/c I have been reading that 46 is still on the "young" side for it to be age-related hearing loss.

[ECMom]

Thanks! Just getting a little worried about what the cause may be b/c I have been reading that 46 is still on the "young" side for it to be age-related hearing loss.

I'm in my 40's & found out this past Spring that I have hearing loss - high pitched sounds as well. My hearing is apparently equivalent to someone in their 60's (lovely, huh?). I had it checked because my daughter needed to have hers checked. Up until then, I really hadn't noticed any issues. With this type of loss, the ENT said signs were difficulty hearing in noisy environments & hearing from other rooms. Ding, ding, ding......I do have problems hearing people in noisy environment. I just thought they were soft spoken! It must have been a gradual loss because I don't recall any significant changes. The ENT said the loss was hereditary or environmental. No one in my immediate family has been diagnosed with hearing loss but they probably wouldn't have been tested unless they couldn't hear at all! With the ENT recommendation, all my kids were tested. None had loss but we have a baseline to compare to future tests.

ETA.......the ENT said I could look into hearing aids but it wasn't critical if the loss wasn't impacting my life. It really hasn't so I chose not to go that route for now. I'll see him annually for testing & reconsider if something changes.

Good luck!

[ECMom]

Forgot to mention........the office I go to has audiologists & ENT's. I saw them both in one visit. I'd recommend doing so if you can. If there are issues that need ENT follow-up, then you'll get your answers that day. Also, if you have co-pays with your insurance, you only have to pay one co-pay since it's one visit.

[JustMe]

Thanks so much, ECMom. Sorry to hear about your early hearing loss. I have some similarities and some differences. I really don't seem to have problems hearing people in other rooms. I do have trouble when people seem to talk a little lower (maybe they aren't talking lower?) and with high tones like an alarm clock. Anyway, it was helpful to hear your story.

[JustMe]

Update-

Luckily, today I happened to run into someone I know who is a nurse practitioner and very familiar with local resources. She said she thought I should start with an ENT, that they would probably have an audiologist there, and she gave me the names of 2 she recommends.

I called the first one and they are booked out until November. I called the 2nd and they are only booked out 2 weeks. However, they are booked out 2 months for their audiologist. They said I could see an audiologist elsewhere and then see the ENT to take the quickest route. So, I have the appt I originally scheduled with the other audiologist on 9/26 and then with the ENT on 9/30.

Other than paying 2 co-pays, this should go well.

Thanks so much everyone!!!