Author Topic: Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss  (Read 4253 times)

Jimbo

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Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss
« on: October 24, 2018, 08:35:50 am »
I had Gamma Knife Radiosurgery approx. 10 years ago. AN side has over 40% hearing Loss.
Can I use a conventional hearing aid, since I don't have total hearing loss in AN ear, or do I need to use CROS, etc devices?
7 x 12 mm AN diagnosed April 2008.
Leksell GK performed at Columbia-Presb July 2008

notaclone13

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Re: Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2018, 02:59:29 pm »
Hi Jimbo, congratulations on being 10 years post Gammaknife and still retaining substantial hearing. I can't comment on the hearing aid, but I know others on the forum will have some insight.  I was wondering, do you recall how many Gys of radiation you received?  I have heard that 12-13 Gys is the range they use to treat small ANs in people who still have hearing in the AN ear. Also, how many MRIs have you had in the past 10 years?  Were they all done with contrast? Hope you don't mind answering questions, but it is always interesting to hear from someone 10 year down the road from successful Gammaknife treatment.

ANSydney

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Re: Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2018, 03:28:43 pm »
I would say that if you have some hearing left, then a hearing aid would be beneficial. 40% hearing loss sounds like something to work with.

Jimbo

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Re: Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2018, 11:59:20 am »
Hi,
Thanks for the responses.
I don't recall how many greys were used for GK; have had 4 MRI's; last one 3 years ago; likely due for one soon.

Just had a new hearing test today at the VA. Dr. said the 40% hearing loss was not understandable, since I have very poor resolution in my AN ear. He said he could try a CROS, but doesn't believe it would be helpful, since I have one good ear, where hearing would transfer to anyway.
7 x 12 mm AN diagnosed April 2008.
Leksell GK performed at Columbia-Presb July 2008

notaclone13

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Re: Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2018, 12:48:11 pm »
Thanks for your reply Jimbo.  I think the fact that you have had no new symptoms that would justify needing an MRI is a  good sign. Have you considered trying the Bose Hearphones?  They are in fact called "Hearphones", that is not a typo.  There was a recent AN meeting in Nashville and one of the ladies there purchased them and was very happy with the result.  The price tag is $500, but that is less than a hearing aid. I also read a review of them on the Bose website written by a lady who said she had SSD from an acoustic neuroma.  She wrote a glowing review about how the Herphones helped her situation. They might be worth a try.  If you have an actual Bose store in your city, you can give them a try before purchasing.

Echo

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Re: Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2018, 07:08:16 pm »
Hello Jimbo,

I had GK 5 years ago and still have some usable hearing in my AN (right side) ear but it is minimal. Basically I can hear loud sounds which can help orient me to a degree, but my ability to hear words clearly is severely compromised due to the damage the AN has done. I've lost some hearing in my left ear due to aging.  My word discrimination (the ability to clearly hear words when I am tested) has been all over the place with each test ranging from 40% to 20% to 30% to 10% back up to 20%, then last year dropping down to 0% and this year back up to 20%.  I believe this is a bit unusual for someone post GK, however I was also told to expect complete hearing loss by roughly 5 years post treatment and that hasn't happened either.   When I do hear words in my AN ear they sound very far away and like someone is speaking to me underwater - it's very distorted.  Due to this type of hearing loss a normal hearing aid would do nothing.  My audiologist suggested I try the Phonak Bi Cros and I did roughly 6 months post GK.  Best thing, I could have ever done!  They are fabulous. I adjusted very quickly to them and wear them every day.

I'm not sure which side your AN is on, but in my case here's the big plus I noticed immediately with the Cross Aids. Driving!
With an AN in my right ear, every time I had someone in the car when I was driving it was very difficult to hear them.  You have the sound of traffic going past you on your left side and then the person sitting on your AN side may or may not be looking in your direction when speaking, so what you hear is limited. With the Cros in my AN ear it picks up the person speaking beside me whether they are looking at me or not.  I can easily hear their voice and I no longer struggle to have a conversation when driving. 

There are many people who adjust perfectly fine to single sided hearing loss, but personally, I find the Bi Cros a huge aid in my quality of life - not just for driving, but at work, social settings, meetings etc. 

Might be worth looking into a bit further.

Cathie


 
Diagnosed: June 2012, right side AN 1.8cm
June 2013: AN has grown to 2.4 cm.
Gamma Knife: Sept. 11, 2013 Toronto Western Hospital

DodgeAU

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Re: Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2018, 08:08:35 pm »
I have severe hearing loss on left AN ear and not ready or keen for a traditional hearing aid.
At the moment I am using standard iPhone EarPods with the app called Petralex, and helps to hear again!! The app is free to download on iPhone.

I'm also checking IQbuds boost: https://www.nuheara.com/

If any one has experience with this or other similar alternative let us know :)
« Last Edit: November 01, 2018, 08:47:19 pm by DodgeAU »
Sep 2023: AN shrunk by 3mm
Jun 2023: Hemifacial spasm disappeared
Oct 2022: MRI shows no growth, hemifacial spasms started
Mar 2022: GK treatment at Peter Mac Melbourne
Dec 2021: 18mm x 10mm
Oct 2019:  12x7 mm, Watch mode
Mar 2019: 7.5x5.5 mm, Watch mode
Aug 2018: Diagnosed 6x4x4 mm AN left

notaclone13

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Re: Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2018, 07:54:15 am »
You may want to consider Bose Hearphones. One of the people at the Vanderbilt AN seminar had them and was very pleased. I also read a review on the Bose website by a person with SSD due to AN surgery and she stated that she could now engage in conversations normally. They cost about $500 and consist of earbuds and a receiver around the neck. But these days seeing people wearing this  sort of thing is relatively normal.

PaulW

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Re: Hearing Aid for Partial Hearing Loss
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2018, 08:20:03 pm »
I had Single Session CK 8 1/2 Years ago. 13Gy
My hearing remains normal at lower frequencies but I have lost some hearing in the higher frequencies.
I wear a single standard hearing aid in my AN Ear and it helps a lot particularly in a crowd or noisy environments.


10x5x5mm AN
Sudden Partial hearing loss 5/28/10
Diagnosed 7/4/10
CK 7/27/10
2/21/11 Swelling 13x6x7mm
10/16/11 Hearing returned, balance improved. Feel totally back to normal most days
3/1/12 Sudden Hearing loss, steroids, hearing back.
9/16/13 Life is just like before my AN. ALL Good!