Hearing Test: 15 Years Later...
As some may know, on July 6, 2002, I experienced the phenomenon called (spontaneous) Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, which left me profoundly and instantly deaf in my left ear. Approximately 4,000 new cases of sudden hearing loss (SHL) occur annually in the United States, and 15,000 annually worldwide. Most cases, like mine, have no identifiable cause.
After having my hearing tested and meeting with the ENT doctor, the answer is that there is nothing new that can be done for me. But, there was actually some good news, too. My right ear is as good as it was 15 years ago, which is a fantastic thing. I'm not certain I could say that about any other part of my body!
So I will continue to do the little dance I do, when I walk with people, to get on their left side. I will ask to sit in the backseat of cars, where my 'good' ear is situated to hear better. I will struggle in loud restaurants or in big groups and I will possibly answer questions inappropriately (due to not hearing correctly). But most importantly, I will continue to be thankful for the hearing I do have.
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