Deaf in One Ear Page 2
77A Continuation
This page is a supplement to my first post on deafness in one ear and my experiences with it. That page has been getting alot of good stories and input from many people in the comments section. There are many stories and people have been very kind and helpful to others when needed.
I was really surprised when I started that page because I really didn't think there would be much of a response. But there has been and several people even come back more than once to read what others have to say. It has turned out to be a wonderful time for me to see and empathize with others who have hearing issues due to deafness in one ear. I learn quite a bit by listening to the experiences of others.
Just to let everyone know I am now out with my husband on a big truck over the road. That in itself is a challenge, but add deaf in one ear in the mix, and , WOW. I have found that I have to be extra cautious around all these trucks, since I can't always tell where sound is coming from. I am always looking watching the drivers and making sure they see me, so as to not get ran over.
Since being out here on the road with him I have been contemplating the idea of a crossover hearing aid and did a little research and did see some options. Spectacle hearing aids might be a good Idea since I wear glasses as well. As soon as I can get into a hearing aid shop I am going to inquire about what is available and what might be best for me in my situation.
I will be sure and keep you posted, but it may be awhile before I am able to check into it. However is there is anyone out there who wants so share your own experiences please feel free to add your comments. It is nice to see how others cope and what problems or obtacles others have faced. All Comments are welcome.
Thank You to Everyone for your Comments, and for making this a great place to see how others are doing.
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Hi I'm deaf in my left ear since birth. Like everyone here loud noisy restaurants, parties etc I find it really hard to hear anything. But I remember I used to hate it when we used to play "Chinese Whispers" at school as usually the circle would be going around anti-clockwise which meant that when it got to my turn the person whispering to me - well I couldn't get it!! Trust my luck!! LOL But now that I'm older (39) it doesn't bother me except I'd now like to work in a much quieter environment than the noisy job I used to work at as it was really hard on my ears and it probably affected my hearing for my good ear (right ear)
I can relate to soooo many stories. I am deaf in the left ear and it the type that only picks up vibrations. I also have times compensating in y right ear especially when there are other noises and spouse has difficulty with this. He hates it when I can I ask him to repeat hiself when he is on my good side. I love the stories about no sense of sound direction and can completely relate. I work in nursing home and some patients heve bed alarms I find myself walking up and down the hall to figure out where the sound is coming from adn other staff find it entertaining to watch me scramble in circles.
I have gotten pretty well adjusted but it can be difficult when you get picked on. most of my friends, once they realize how I really can't hear them try to sit on my bad side and talk about me (normally in fun...I think) I have gotten adjusted.
I suppose my biggest struggle is my spouse and his coping with the loss. He gets frustrated when there are circumstances that I should be able to hear and can't. I think some times I have to process so much information when there is sound that I miss part of things not intentionally at all. Its almost like when your tuning a radio and you pick up 2 stations you can only hear parts of each. If I had one wish ... it would be to never say "what" again.
hey ebay, I don't know if a hearing aide would work for you but you may want to get a second opinion. The do have cross over hearing aids that are supposed to transmit sound from you deaf ear to your good ear. They also have bone induction hearing aids that do kinda the same think you may want to look into those. Also I'm not sure but I would probably go see and ENT, not just an audiologist. So you may want to research that also, somebody who specializes in single sided deafness. One name of hearing aide that comes to mind of the BAHA hearing aid but there are several different kinds just do your research and see a specialist if you really want to know if you would benifit from a hearing aids. Hope I helped. And thanks for your comments.
Am deaf in my left ear. It doesn't bother me so much coz my right ear works great. I only have trouble when I go out with a group of people, it's hard for me to be part of the conversation coz am straining to everything. It's so annoying, when people laugh at a joke and you missed it coz u didn't hear it. I come off as being shy, but I can't explain to everyone it's coz I don't hear everything they say, so I smile. Today I finally decided to get it checked out and get hearing aids, the audiologist tells that my left ear is completely deaf and even a hearing aid won't work. Instead he advises me to get the hearing aid for my working right ear to make up for the loose in my left ear. Is that even right? He advised that a hearing aid won't help me. I disagree! Am I wrong?
I am deaf in my left ear, have next to nothing, have only been diagnosed deaf for the last three years, but have had no hearing in my left ear at all since birth. My parents split up when I was 8 and were pretty much consumed with their only lives, so never really paid too much attention to my health growing up. I had some hearing test when I was 10 that nothing ever came of it, and my mum didn't do anything about it. School dissed me off as having a short attention span, and said I would go off in my own little world, so now I know why. I only got tested and confirmed in 2010, and feel so angry at all these professional people I have been around that could have helped me at school ( i didn't do well academically) and understand my situation better. I got the courage to go and get tested when I was 30 after a lot of years of no confidence and found out that I was profoundly deaf in my left ear and need a hearing aid.
It explains all of my learning difficulties, but I am so sad that I was written off by a lot of people.
Diane, thanks for creating this site. I've enjoyed reading everyone's experiences. I am 58 years old and have been deaf in my left ear since birth.
I think we all have often felt isolated. Erica I was struck by your comment of feeling embarrassed. We have all been there. It can be difficult but you are doing great. I admire your courage to take a job in a noisy environment dealing with the public. Very few people who can hear in both ears can recognize your courage but I do.
I really enjoyed reading your first post about finding out when you were deaf, etc. I am also deaf in my right ear and was born this way as well. At this time, I am 20 years old and having a hard time with it even today! I have actually worked as lifegaurd, and I am now working at a dining place, something that I thought I woulnd not be able to ever do. Having to tell people over and over again that I am deaf in one ear is something that embarrasses me. I am really good at laughing it off and pretending like not being able to hear is ok with me, but it really isn't. As fas as I know, having a hearing aid is not an option for me. Hopefully, I will be able to look into some of the new surgeries going on that might help my hearing in the future. Until then, I will continue to deal with this and try to move on as best as I can. It is just getting really old these days... I definitely relate to some of the things you mentioned.
Hi Diane, I was born deaf in my left ear.
First off I notice that the guys are the ones more likely to accept the condition and be like hey thats life. For myself I am not happy with it. Mainly because it affects me on a hugely deep level, I feel tense and panicked and unable to relax and enjoy myself. I am constantly on edge and wound tightly. I know that my fear instinct is kicking in because I am unable to relax and know that if there was an attack I would be able to respond immediately, instead I am on alert trying to watch out for something (these days its an important comment from another)incase I miss it.
I am looking to create myself a miracle. I dont want to live my life like this. I have spoken to various intuitive people and found out that, I was hit around the head in a previous life which shattered my ear drum and made me deaf. I then chose to bring that deaf ear into this life in order to learn something, not sure what yet. I have then recently read about Delores Cannon. She takes you through past life regression to find out why we are this way in this life, she then does quantum healing on you to heal any emotional, physical etc diseases.
I am definitely going to visit a practitioner and have one of these sessions, and I am going in with the intention of addressing this hearing loss, and releasing it.
I will let you all know how I go, and I hope we can all live lives of perfect health and ability. :)
Its so amazing and yet very emotional to see that I am not alone,what iv noticed is dat ppl treat u defferent some understand some laugh at u n think dat u r stupid,my left ear is better dan my right ear, I wasn't born dis way it all started when I was in my matric I couldn't hear a thing in de class but thanks to God cos iv managed to pass,I went for hearing test n it shows dat I hav a hearing impairment so they issued me a hearing aid but it ddnt do much help as it contacted lot of noise n it made me fill worse when worn so I stoped using it den I ws shy to b around ppl bt dan ddnt stop me from trying to believe in maself de big problem is am now working in a very noisy area n I become worse,my supervisor suspended me while ago n told me to see a doctor outside my work place as we always go for hearing test n dey found out that my hearing is bad so I dd go to de hearing specialist he told me dat my ears nerves r perfectly normal so he suggested I do a operation to find de problem but I cnt as am afraid,I can't leave my job cos I need it bt AM VERY SCARED THAT AM GETTING WORSE as am now writing am at work and I have lots of noise in my ears n Its going to last for long*crying*
Hi Diane...........
Exactly i have the same problem ..im deaf in right ear..........i want to share & also want to know some informations from ur lifestyle.............
Hi, I'm so glad I came across this, Im deaf in left ear since birth, and im 16.
I think they call it sensorineural deafness?In the left ear I can hear vibrations only.
Anyway, I think as Diane said its a blessing and a curse too. I always find that due to the deafness targeted sound is mixed with background sound. that is to say, if someone is talking to me in a place with a lot of background noise (airport, station, school) then i find it hard to keep up with them. Even more so when there is a group conversation happening, i usually stay quiet since i cant hear everyone unless i focus 200% which to do all the time is impossible.
However i have to disagree with some of the people here, in that I have an excellent balance.
I have heard that there is some operation in france i can do, but there is a risk of losing my other ear as well, and infact..i dont personally think its that much of a problem to take that risk. Maybe when medicine improves i shall rethink in 20 years time.
Im going to be driving in a years time which worries me, unless i move to USA or Europe. however Im thinking of getting a small microphone on the passenger seat and relay it to a small speaker to the right of the driver's seat. who knows.
I often try to imagine what it would be like to be able to listen to both R and L on an mp3 player, but then Im different so its ok.
People say im extremely talented in academics, music and art which reinforces my viewpoint that humans are all equal, and the saying that 'all geniuses have something wrong with them'
im not saying im a genius but hey. :L
anyway thanks for a chance to vent, since iv never really written so much about what i feel,
Thankyou :)
Derek, I passed the test myself for a commercial drivers liscense a couple of years ago. I am completely deaf in my right ear. The examiner was about two feet away from me in a completely quiet room. She forcefully whispered a few words and asked me to repeat them. Now forcefully whispered was more like a talking softly to me but in any case I passed the test and now hold my CDL, now I don't know for sure if u would pass it most likely depends on the examiner and how they test but, I know i did pass and it was no big deal for me. Hope this helps.
iam 20 years old now and i want to become a over the road truck driver but iam deaf in my right ear since i was born i hope i can pass the dot hearing test so if you know the anwer to that please tell me if i would beable to drive a semi because if i cant iam not going to spend 6ooo on school for nothing so type me back thanks
Hi Diane, I'm so glad to have stopped by this. Like someone else who commented I have no Idea how I got here but I'm glad I did. I can't say I understand what all of you have been through because I'm not deaf but I thought it would be a good idea to share a different perspective. My mom is completely deaf in her left ear. She lost her hearing when she was quite older she was about 35 I can see why it is frustrating sometimes, I remember my mom going through so many different hearing aids which she didn't want to try but my family insisted she got. I guessing looking back now maybe we didn't understand that you could be deaf in one ear or perhaps we were in denial. Recently my mom told me she was in denial for a while and became really sad and ashamed at one point. She's a resilient lady she shook that off and got over it. She's a nurse so you can see how difficult her Job became she got picked on by coworkers. That's how I saw it anyway. I can tell you there were and are times I get frustrated with my mom. Especially when were in a group conversation I usually stand on her right and have to repeat what was said. It's especially frustrating for my brother since he still doesn't even know. We don't know the cause but we speculate it could have been stress? Is that even possible? My mom's a single mom so you could see how stressful that would be for her. I guess over the years I've learned to cope with it by reminding myself it's not her choice. Usually I tell people for her quietly so as not to offend her and so they're patient. After reading all your comments I can say it's helped so much and Ive found new insight on how to deal with it. I have a more positive outlook now. My mom is a strong lady and always says to me when I say I wish it never happened "be glad I have 35 wonderful years of hearing" now I see it as a blessing it's been a factor as to why I So close to her.
Wow can I relate to you! I've been completely deaf in my right year since birth. It affected learning to talk. I had a speech impediment for a short while and it use to look like I was talking out of one side of my mouth. I got over all that early on thankfully. I went through the same as you with shyness and embarrasment when people try to talk to me and I can't hear them and yes driving with other people is not fun!
Hiya, I'm Chloe, and I'm 14 years old, and I'm deaf in one ear (left). My mum found out about my impairment when I went for my '3 year check-up' (obviously at the age of 3) and they reported I was born with the impairment. I have to go to the hospital every 6 months of so to check on my hearing, and when I was 8, they thought they'd try and put 'gromits' in my ear, but little did they know, my impairment wasn't due to water in my ear. Last year I went to my regular check-up and I actually found out the reason I have the impairment is because the bones inside of my ear are 'broken' as the doctor described it. He also said my ear-drums are scarred. The reason they are broken is a mystery to me, but know I live with my condition. I don't usually tell people about my hearing, because I don't want to seem different from everyone else. But over the years, I can now lip-read and I know basic sign language. So I guess, I've had good treatment with my impairment. But it has had its downfalls, when teachers shout at me for not understanding the task, due to me not hearing it properly (last year my German teacher actually made me cry because of it, she sat me at the back and I said I'd prefer to sit closer, but she thought it was to sit nearer to my friends, so she didn't let me move, and I didn't hear anything she said, and due to it being a German class I had to hear what she was saying because of the pronunciations, and I didn't do the task because I couldn't hear her, and she started shouting in my face, and actually made me cry and go to my Head of years office. She then realised I had an impairment, but she never apologised to me) I've met one other person with a similar condition to me, and I've now refused operations, because I've realised this condition is what makes us different, unique. It would be great if some miracle tomorrow I'd have perfect hearing, but for now, I'm perfectly happy with my condition, and I love reading other peoples stories in similar situations, this is why I have posted a brief one of mine in the comments. I'd love to hear from you all. And thankyou for reading my story(:
Well, hello again Jamie glad go to see you. To answer your question, well quite honestly I am not sure how being deaf in one ear effects your balance. I do know that your vestibular system effects your balance and that is located in your ears. But I couldn't tell you how. I will have to do a little research to refresh my memory on the vestibular system and will get back to you on that, check back okay. Anyway glad to see you here. Be safe.
Hello it's me again jamie. I am here to ask, how being deaf in one ear affects balance. I'm deaf in my right ear, and I am clumsy too. Maybe it's because of my balance? I have not really notice my balance.. Yet.
Hello. I read page 1 and 2 and am glad to see you are ok. I could relate to sooo much of what you said that I just had to laugh. :D I wasn't born deaf in one ear, however when I was very little I had meningitis which took my hearing out of my left ear. I am now 18 years old and I have learned to just adjust and live with it as best as I can as well. I agree that usually it's not on your mind but it does get annoying at times. Especially when you misheard what someone else said and respond the wrong way... well how I cope with it is knowing that Jesus Christ loves us and understands what we are going through. We may not know why it happened but God has a reason and purpose for everything and everyone and we have to trust Him. Because of Him I've been able to deal with the fact that I'm deaf in one ear and other people's negativity toward this fact. You know, when people get frustrated or tease you etc... during high school one girl didn't even believe me after she got frustrated when I didn't hear clearly what she said. I admit it falls on my mind from time to time but I continue to find that peace when I turn it over to the Lord knowing He has the power to heal and that He loves and understands us. Just thought I'd share this.. these pages you did have helped and I'm praying for you and your family as well as others in general and with this same problem. :) God Bless.
Hi. It was nice to read your story. I also am only able to hear from one ear. I lost my hearing at 21 caused by a fractured skull in a motorcycle accident. I'm 36 now and have learned to cope with it. I think most frustrating part about this is looking normal, but not being able to hear. People who don't know that you have a hearing impairment tend to get frustrated if you ask them to repeat what they said more than once.
Good description. Hearing Impairment is an isolating experience as so many of the elderly experience hearing loss everyday. Thanks for your hard work.
Hey I really enjoyed your post :)) I laughed my ass off at your story but when I thought about my experience..not so funny anymore. I'm 12 and I've been deaf in my right ear for 8 yrs now. In primary school it wasn;t such a big problem but my problem got worse and now...Well my left ear is trying to compensate for my deaf right ear so this thing is making my face a little asymmetric...And I think I'll be disfigured when Ill be older maybe It'll even endager my life. My only hope right now is a hearing nerve treatement. Oh i forgot to say I have neural hearing loss because of an ottitis left untreated because my mom left me to stay with my grand mther and dad even though my grandmma was a children doctor. So yup waiting for technology to save me. And BTW I hate it when ppl say things and I cant understand it so I answer randomly and they laugh and say "Haha Your deaf" even thoughj they dont know I really am it still hurts like hell. There are times I don't get a thing ppl say so Im like WTF are u ppl talking about so Im very lost. My friends find it cute that Im lost and clumsy cuz of my "balance"...And I talk too fast..I never knew talking to fast was related to hearing loss. Now I know why I suddenly became shy when I was real small I used to be a great entartainment source now Im too shy or too scared to talk and say something wrong..
hey everyone im glad i found this page, ive gotta similar story. i was born deaf (congenital) in my left ear..didn find out i was deaf until i was seven. on a few occasions when i was younger i would answer the home phone say hello hello hello then hang up on important phone calls lol and my yr 1 teacher thought i was stupid etc n had behavioural problems..when my parents worked it out that i was deaf in my left ear we took steps to manage it like speech therapy,hearin aid 4 me n a mic 4 my teacher.. haha my school mates n i listened in on a few staff meetings cuz the mic was left lol..with speech therapy and my Mum and Dad being patient with me my spelling improved 100% n i thank them very much. they taught me 2 sound out words n used old school techniques. it was frustrating that my teacher thought i was dumb cuz somewhere in my lil mind back then i knew she was wrong n when things it was the best feelin ever. i used to feel sorry 4 myself until i went to a wetlands picnic day with kids that were fully deaf n had to use sign language or lip read to communicate. these kids blew me away cuz they were happy as larry runnin around wit big smiles on their faces. that day still stands out in my memories. i dont feel any diff to anyone else cuz u adjust n learn how get along in life. other ppl notice that i turn my good ear towards them n it feels good cuz ppl who know me defo know im listenin to them. im 23 now n i would love to do speech therapy again to improve my speech cuz as time goes by ive gotten lazy n mimble a wee bit n i forget to slow down n use my tongue when i talk.. can anyone tell me wat occupations i can n cannot do due to my partial deafness.. i really like to bcuz even though i feel normal n believe i could do anythin itd give me more direction...thatd be great cuz its on the back of my mind n its like a road block i in my way atm. thnx 4 lettin me ramble on a lil n get it off my chest. love all tha comments from other peeps as well..
thanks to lana and all who have posted here hope to see you again, explain your situation to others when necessary and don't be afraid people are mostly understanding and will help if needed. Love all your comments.
Wow, I dont know how I got here, but Im sure glad I did. I became deaf in my left ear at age 7 due to the mumps. My experience has not been pleasent. My parents freaked out, and made it a horrible experience. They would tell my friends to watch me cross the street because I could not hear cars. they made me wear a bath cap so I didnt get water in my good ear. I never tell anyone , never told my boyfriends or friends. Eventually my ex husband found out thru my sister.
It is not something I share, but it has a big effect on my life. Going to a party or resturant I manipulate seating. Parties with people I dont know , Im like a dog on alert.
I worked as a ticket agent and it was difficult working with the public, people just get annoyed.
I think I would of been more outgoing if itwas handled differently when I was younger.
Believe me Im amazed when I hear people be so open abuot it.
I am completely deaf , their is no chance of surgery to repair my hearing. Diane thanks for sharing.
Hey, just stopping through and read your article because I am dealing with the same issue. I am 23 years old and have not been able to hear out of my right ear at all I know I am deaf because I can't even hear wind or nothing in that ear. Now I was a premature baby by three months so I figured that's I check up online if found it possibly called congenital hearing loss which happens through prematurity . N yes I am why to chicken to see a doctor tho.
HI Morgan, So nice to see you stop by and leave a comment. You know sometimes I do worry about losing hearing in my left ear. I don't have too many problems with it and I do tend to protect it more than maybe I normally would have. I hope you were able to read the first page of mine as well it is simply Deaf in One Ear if you did not. Again so glad you stopped by, and good luck and take care of your good ear. Okay.
your article was a pleasure to read! we have quite a few things in common. but I was wondering, do you ever get worried that you are going to lose the hearing on your left side? I know I am.
amber 6 days ago
Mi is deaf in my right ear too. It's annoying