This is a blog I'm starting with the purpose of sharing the story of my hearing loss. I have looked at numerous internet sites and several support groups. None of the websites that I read provide any good feedback as most people just tend to discuss about their problem and once diagnosed never provide any updates. Anyways I'm trying to provide a constant update of the way my condition and its effect on my life style.
My symptoms began on 07/20/2012 at 7:00pm. I was working out (riding my bicycle) when I felt some aural pressure on my left ear. The only way I can describe the pressure is to similar when one gets into a pool and having water in the ear. The pressure began to increase during my workout, got home and didn't think much about it. Three hours later I got up and my balance was way off, to the point that it made me feel drunk. This is also when I noticed that I couldn't hear anything from my left ear. The pressure was significant and uncomfortable. Tinnitus (ringing of the ear) was also starting to roar up in my left ear. The following morning I woke up with a bad case of vertigo. I tried eating food to see if a hearty meal would make a difference (BAD IDEA), that only made me more nauseous. Eventually had to throw up. I spent the entire day in bed, due to not feeling very well.
The symptoms for my condition were starting to make me nervous as I had never experienced something like this. My mind was thinking about everything. How can a healthy 29 year old have complete loss of hearing in one ear. So I went and started to google my symptoms and was eventually led to the Sudden Sensoryneural Hearing Loss (SSHL). I went ahead and placed some links on the side to several websites that have good information to this condition.
I finally went to visit an outpatient medical center on Sunday to check my ear for any type of infection. The doctor found no infection in the ear, but still prescribed me some antibiotics.
First thing on Monday morning, I went ahead and called an ENT as I was not pleased with the doctor's diagnosis from the outpatient center.
To my surprise the ENT doctor diagnosed me with SSHL, but still needed confirmation from the audiology test.
The audiology test was a bit of a shock as I couldn't hear anything from the left ear. The final results indicated a 100dB loss in hearing (Profound Hearing Loss). Literally I could have a rocket engine blast off in my ear and would not be able to detect any noise. One other key point is that they also tested my skull for vibrations to see if my inner ear can pick up any noise. My ear could pick these noises out but couldn't make out any of the words. This is particularly bad as this doesnt allow me to use any type of hearing device.
The ENT went ahead and placed me on two weeks of PREDNISONE (oral steroid). This is the primary way to attack this condition and most patients will show improvements at the end of the treatment if they are going to improve.
One key thing that I do not know if it had a significant impact was the fact that I was taking some weight lifting supplements before my hearing loss occurred. The crazy thing is that none of these supplements were new to me except one Muscle Pharm Matrix Shred. I went started taking it that same day. I went ahead and searched through many websites and have not been able to find this as a side effect. But just because no one has published it doesn't mean its not a side effect.
By Monday 07/23/2012, my vertigo had subsided but I was still experiencing disequilibrium. I was not able to walk straight nor stand on one foot with out the feeling of falling over. My wife had to help me drive to all of my doctor appointments and work. Thank God that my job is a desk job and doesnt require much walking. I have read numerous posts of other people who loose their jobs or are on long term disability due to vertigo or dizziness feeling.
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