ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Cognitive/Emotional Issues => Topic started by: joebloggs on October 23, 2008, 04:55:16 pm
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Hello all,
I just went to a gig - Goldfrapp and I stood there listening and thought, holy (expletive) - this may be the last or one of the last live gigs before I go mono - wow. And I felt a bit sad - not entirely because there were a bit boring and there was the slight chance I'd wasted my last gig on a boring one - but I found myself holding my other ear closed in the noisy bits to try an protect it and wondering what it will be like post surgery. In the grand scheme of things it's probably not a great deal - but I really like music and the thought of not hearing a symphony orchestra in full swing again kind of scares me. Does anyone else feel the same? Is it just me?
JB
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Know just what you mean. It occured to me a few weeks ago that I will never be able to hear a concert or play, etc the same again...I wanted to get to Les Miserable when it was here, but missed it (saw it years ago and wanted to hear it one more time prior to translab). I have been to a couple of movies, which I never really go to, but figured I should do it now while I still had both ears...it really is a bit sad...
I'm sure many others have had similar thoughts/feelings. Take care,
Cindy
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My hobby is concerts and to loose stereo is very concerning, I too tried to protect my ears at a couple of concerts this summer with plugs but ended up taking them out. Yes, it will be a huge sacrifice for me but again I am not alone.
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My dad builds dulcimers ,banjos , guitars bowed saltries , do-bros and probably other instruments I have
forgotten ...music has always been a part of my life ... in the last 15 months I have adjusted to mono
and things are beginning to sound OK... not the same but OK...
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IMO Soundy's right. Things don't sound the same once you are SSD - especially music - but you adjust.
I have an iPod adapter in my car (plugs into the cigarette lighter) and the sound isn't too far off from stereo. I also have a mono-plug for my iPod (converts stereo sound into one ear phone) that I use when I'm not in the car and it gives me very decent sound. It was extremely inexpensive - got mine @ Radio Shack for about $6.95
So I've found a new normal when it comes to music, and it beats not being able to hear it at all.
Count your blessings; don't dwell on your shortcomings :)
Jan
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I think the same applies to hearing loss in general, even if like me you have a hearing aid, not SSD. Things don't sound the same. However, I have found that I remember full stereo sound well enough that I can still imagine it. I can't listen to music very loud, for the usual AN related reasons, but I can listen at a lower volume and fill in the rest in my mind. It's sort of like listening to music on an old phonograph, where the sound quality is not as good, but you still get the rhythm, the melody, and the mood of the music.
You can still enjoy it.
Steve
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JB:
I began going deaf in my AN-affected ear about 9 years ago. I probably lost all hearing in that ear about 5 years ago. You adjust. I was a radio D.J. for 25 years and love music. I still do and enjoy it as much as always, only in one ear, which, fortunately for me, hears very well.
The 'Beach Boys' founder and guiding genius - Brian Wilson - has been deaf in his right ear for most of his life (not due to an acoustic neuroma). He seems to have muddled along pretty well and, at age 66, still tours. In fact, he recently performed in my area (I missed it). In my opinion, 'Good Vibrations' is a pop music masterpiece, written, produced and sung by a guy who is deaf in one ear. Go figure. :)
Jim
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Thanks for all your messages!
Yeah, it will take a little while to adjust, but I'll get there! I think last night I was doing a little bit of wine-induced self pity! Sorry about that! I'm ok today though. Perhaps I can find a rocking gig to go to just before the op and go out with a bang!
Thanks again for the tips and the words of wisdom, I really appreciate it.
JB.
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Hey JB-
If it makes you feel any better - I spent the last month before translab hearing every situation with the thought that it would be "my last" in stereo hearing. It was springtime when I had surgery and we live adjacent to wooded acreage - the birds singing are a part of every spring. And, you know what, when I got home from the hospital with my one good ear (not to mention my pirate-smile) the birds still sounded wonderful. The only difference was that I couldn't really tell where they were! Things really do sound pretty much the same to me now as they did before - the only thing that I really miss is direction.
Just my two-cents worth ...
Debbi
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This sounds very familiar. Right before I went for CK consult, I went to what I thought would be my last live concert. And of course, it was my all time favorite artist Elton John. That was my 4th time seeing him and he was great as always. When the concert started, I wasn't going to use earplugs at all. Figured why not go out with a bang literally. That lasted about 10 minutes and I had to put one of those very soft earplugs into the AN side (not the dense kind used with MRI). I was pleasantly surprised that it took away what I call the brassiness and made it sound just perfect. I'll have to admit I teared up a bit thinking this could be it for stereo. Now that I'm months out from CK, I've started thinking about seeing him in concert again if he comes anywhere near but of course I'll use earplugs in both ears this time. If only I could go to that Red Piano concert in Vegas before it ends.....oh well. Hopefully once that run is over, they will be put it out on DVD. And life goes on......
Sandra
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Love Elton, one of my favs too, seen him twice, once front row, we had a moment......... I guess when my hearing goes in my AN ear I will learn a new normal and be thankful for what I have left.
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Yes, love Elton. The best concert I ever went to was Elton at the Garden in NY - what a blast!
Debbi, doin' the Crockadile Rock, wonky style....
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In my opinion, 'Good Vibrations' is a pop music masterpiece, written, produced and sung by a guy who is deaf in one ear. Go figure. :)
Jim
And let us not forget the Beethoven was entirely deaf!
Also, remember there are options like the BAHA and Transear, that may not give you true stereo sound, but may go a ways towards a sound balance.
Tammy
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It really bothered me at first but I've grown used to it. The stereo to mono adapters do help some for iPods and such. The more difficult part is following conversations at parties and the like. Tough to pick out the words you want to hear from amongst all the chatter without stereo. Social situations can be difficult. You'll have to get used to turning your hearing ear toward the person speaking and saying" What was that you said". ;)
I'm very protective of my surviving ear/hearing...I imagine everyone else is too. Losing the one made me very afraid to lose the other.
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Hi JB,
Like everyone has said, you adjust to the new reality rather quickly. I've lost my hearing now for nearly three months as I am waiting for my operation next month. Although it was not my career path, I trained as a classical concert pianist and enjoyed playing all music from honky-tonk, to Bach, to Elton John. My biggest fear was to loose my sense of release and comfort when i sit down to play and go to another space to release the stress of daily life. Well, yeah, it is mono now, and that is the downside. The upside was that I need that release now more than ever. Sure, I always loved being in the car and listening to a great acoustical guitar piece. You can't replace the fullness of that sound. However, I now find a renewed enjoyment of the classical pieces I love the most. The Chopin, Hayden and many others are soothing and help to sooth the nerves. I'm still enjoying the piano on one ear, and the car music has become more on the classical side of things for the first time in many, many years. However like Steve says, just imagine that you are back 40 years ago listening to 45s and even 78s which was all mono. Nostalgia can be a fun place too !!!
Steve
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Hi to the recent posts on this thread, thanks for your replies! Doing ok and getting ready for SSD... op in about a month, actually Steve, looks like we are following a similar path, very similar sized AN's, right side, numbness, op in March... good luck!!! I'll be thinking of you!
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Likewise Joe! We can have an on-line gig when we party after this is over!! I wish us both good luck!!
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Steve,
When you get a firm date, do like Joe did and put your date on the calendar. The link is in my sig line below. Then LADavid will include you in the weekly round up and all of us will remember to wish you well. Adding your birthday is optional. :)
Steve
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Steve,
Thanks for the link. I've updated the calendar. Joe, I may need to win the lottery before April so I can fly to AU for our Scar Head Party!!! Do you have any beer down under?
Best wishes!
Steve
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Ha ha ha, do we have beer down under? Yep... just a bit!!
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Hi Joe,
I'm a musician and play with an ensemble at my church. We've recorded a couple of CD's plus I love going to concerts and music is a HUGE deal to me. I felt all the ways you do about going 'mono.' So much of what I love to do is built around really hearing music!
I tried to do some music concerts before surgery and I'd always think 'this is the last time i'll hear this with both ears.' i went to a symphony and i could tell the difference with how much hearing i'd lost. I went to an organ concert at this big cathedral, and that was awesome! the lowest pipe was so low and 'bass-ey' and loud that my bad ear could hear everything very well (since my hearing for bass was better).
My hearing in my left ear had gotten quite bad (about 60% gone). Lots of humming and high pitched ringing in my left ear.
I'm now 3 weeks post op. Since I had translab, I'm now SSD on the left. I'm trying to do the things I loved to do before the AN... like sitting in the living room and just listening to music. Sometimes it really does sound like the music comes in on my left. It doesn't always feel all mono. However, on the contrary, there's times when the left side of my head feels completely empty!
Plus in some environments, sound can be all bouncy and different. I'm getting used to it I suppose.
THe ringing in my AN ear has improved, so maybe now I'm hearing less, but of a better overall quality.
I was happy to read these posts because I had no idea there was a stereo to mono adaptor for an ipod (i need to get one of those - jan / leapyrtwins always gives me the best ideas!)
I haven't played with my music group yet post op. Hope to in the next couple of weeks. They all stand on my left - we'll see how that goes. They'll be patient with me, I'm sure.
I guess what I'd like to point out is, hearing is different but i thought it would all sound much worse. Since it's better quality, it's not as bad as i thought. I also thought that once my translab was finished i would be RUSHING to get that baha. but, the thought of another surgery now is.... no way ! even though it's not as 'bad' as translab, i just don't want to do that right now.
So, i'm thinking that if i live with the SSD for a while and get used to it, by the time i do get a baha, maybe it will just seem so much better that i'll be thrilled!
Is your date in March? I always forget where the calendar is!
Hope all goes well with you - keep us updated!
Keri
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Keri and all,
I'm in the same boat - I play in Jazz bands and usually lead the band. To comp during improvistation I need to clearly who is playing what at any time. Not sure how going mono might effect that.
At the moment I have small tumor and am in the wait and see categoy, so I have the luxury of time. In the meantime I've decided to put a band together and have as much fun as i can, just in case.
So this begs the question - what else should I be doing just in case.
Considering all of the possible side effects what else goes on the "must do before surgery" list?
Any suggestions?
Brendan