Good News about ears!

[skillefer]

Hello! Just letting you know that I got my hearing tested yesterday. My hearing has improved by 20 decibels in each ear. Yay!Hopefully, they'll continue to improve. I'm now hearing at 65 decibels in my right ear and 75 decibels in my left ear. Considering that it was at 85 dbs and 95 dbs in June, I'm doing pretty good. Just as a point of reference, if I remember correctly, 70 decibels is about as loud as a vacuum cleaner. 60dbs is average human speech, and 90dbs is a lawnmower.

[ashmstng]

Thats great news to hear. I hope you the best. Take care.

[jazz'smum]

That nice news an improvement of 20 decibels is great, i am with you in hoping that they continue to improve.
Cheryl

[Bernard]

That's awesome! Have the docs been able to determine if the root cause of your hearing loss is in fact related to the ear or brain? Just curious as I am understanding that tinnitus (hearing ringing noises) is actually a problem with the brain. The recent threads about (transient) amnesia got me to wondering if your hearing might be a similar problem to them, just manifest along a different area.

[Nancy]

Improvement is wonderful !!

[Georgiagirl88]

Yea!!!! That is wonderful news. That is a big improvement. Keep it going and before long you'll be hearing better than all of us!! : ))

Michelle

[Meetz1064]

I am soooo happy for you! That is sooo cool! YEAHHHH!!!!

[RobinN]

Wonderful news...keep doing what ever it is that you are doing.

[brain]

Interesting and awesome news to read!

But for those who are interested in regarding to
hearing loss and the audiograms that they use
in Audiology (and how I am so familiar with this
as I've spent my eternity with this):

This is an Audiogram chart:



And on the left column is the depth ranges
and the classification there on that side will
classify you accordingly. and the one on the
lower end bottom right is the hertz ranges (also
known as frequencies).

From negative 10 to 20 is considered Normal Hearing,
but typically depending on what is reading on the
right bottom (frequency) reads out. So it is possible
for you to fall between 15-20 and be classified as
"mild hearing loss" - because of what you are reading
on the frequency on the right bottom reading.

On the left column from 51-90 is considered
Severely Hard of Hearing.

On the left column from 91-100 is considered Deaf.

On the left column from 101-140 is Profoundly Deaf.


NOW - it is POSSIBLE that you can have NORMAL HEARING
and YET on specific frequency or frequencies be "tone deaf"
to that specific frequency / frequencies - but hear everything
else just fine. (or Hertz instead of frequency / frequencies)

Decibels is abbreviated as dB

Decibels in hearing loss is actually abbreviated as dB HL, but
it's seldom used in application when it's in reference to a patient.

While Wikipedia only provides you a short glimpse of the information
it's not exhaustive; there are many reasons more than what is listed
there that can cause hearing loss - but the most common reasons
are listed there. It is not unusual for people who age, having their
vision going also having their hearing also going - it's normalcy and
far more common than one realizes.

Here's a link to Wiki:


Wiki's Info on Audiology

And here's one from the CLEVELAND CLINIC:

Cleveland Clinic - Main Page

And here's an excerpt from one of the links that is there:

Auditory processing disorders (APD)

APD is a term used to describe a group of several distinct and different auditory problems that can be present in children with normal hearing. The ear detects sounds and sends the message to the brain, where it is processed. The brain then assigns meaning to the sounds. Problems with auditory memory, auditory recall, decoding and other functions that the brain performs fall in this category of disorders.

An APD assessment evaluates how the brain processes, stores and recalls information. Children with APD often perform well in the early school years but as academic material increases in difficulty, they begin to fall behind. Disorders in auditory processing can show themselves in different ways--poor speech articulation, problems with reading or math, academic failure, poor socialization and/or disorganized work. APD often is present in conjunction with attention deficit disorder (ADD).

APD "red flags"

* Difficulty hearing in noise
* Appearing as if there is a hearing loss with normal hearing
* Poor reading skills
* Poor math skills
* Academic failure
* Lack of socialization
* Chronic ear infections
* Distractibility
* Poor handwriting
* Disorganized work

© Copyright 1995-2008 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved

Hearing loss can be associated with Neurological issues as well:

Audiological findings in patients with myoclonic epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibres

Abstract

Sensorineural hearing loss is a common symptom in patients with myoclonic epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibres (MERRF), one of the mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, although the lesion causing hearing loss in such cases remains unknown. Here we describe the audiological features in three MERRF patients, all of whom exhibited a point mutation in their mitochondrial DNA at nucleotide 8344. Pure-tone threshold audiometry revealed bilateral, sloping-type, sensorineural hearing loss in all three patients. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions, electrocochleography, and auditory brainstem responses were variable, even differing between the right and left ears of the same patient. Taken together, our findings suggest that the primary lesion underlying hearing loss in MERRF patients is in the cochlea, although a retrocochlear lesion may be involved in some patients.

(Published Online March 8 2006)

American Hearing Disorders - Epileptic Vertigo

What is Epileptic Vertigo?

While epilepsy is commonly accompanied by dizziness or vertigo, vertigo is only rarely caused by epilepsy. This arises primarily because vertigo is much more commonly caused by ear conditions. Epileptic vertigo is due to brain injury, typically the part of the temporal lobe that processes vestibular signals. Loss of consciousness usually occurs at the time of injury. The typical symptom is "quick spins," although this symptom has other potential causes (for example, BPPV or vestibular neuritis).

What Causes Epileptic Vertigo?

Epileptic vertigo is felt to be caused by abnormal stimulation of parts of the cortex that represent the vestibular system -- parietal, temporal and frontal cortex. Specific areas include the superior lip of the intraparietal sulcus, the posterior superior temporal lobe, and the temporal-parietal border regions (Penfield, 1954)

Hearing Loss and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Temporal Lobe Encephalocoele Presenting
with Seizures and Hearing Loss

ABSTRACT

A case of a bilateral temporal lobe encephalocoele
that presented as seizures and hearing loss for
many years. Diagnosis was confirmed on CT and
MR imaging, which showed deficiencies in
the temporal bone. The patient subsequently
underwent surgical repair and recovered from
his presenting symptoms.

There are so much more information out there in
reference to all different angles from mitochondrial
to Temporal Lobe Epilepsy to abuse and misuse of
one's hearing to chronic illness to all sorts.

I've provided various ranges for your reading just
to give you some ideas of just how wide spread
these ENT - aka Ear, Nose, Throat Specialists &
Surgeons have to deal with when it gets this far;
and how Audiologists have to deal with this on a
daily basics.


Hearing Loss - it can be stable, it can be a result
of damages to the inner ear (that often times can
be repaired), or can be a result of nerve damage
(brain/neurological related), or progressive, or age,
and it goes on and on from there.

NOW do you wish to become an Audiologist? You have
a lot to be thankful for them considering all the work
they have to endure - and the PATIENCE they have to
WORK with stubborn people who deem that their hearing
is "just fine" and refusing to wear aids that would help
them and make their lives better.

Hope all that I've provided have been of great assistance.

[skillefer]

Hello everyone! Thank you *taking a bow*.

Bernard- According to the doc, the sudden loss of hearing was due to an autoimmune problem. Basically, my body came in contact with a virus, and instead of just attacking the virus, my immune system also decided to attack my ears. I do remember having what I thought was a cold just prior to the hearing loss for about a month. I had a severe cough that just wouldn't go away. I mean I was coughing so hard that I couldn't fall asleep (and that's with taking a prescription cough syrup) and in fact I lost 10 pounds that month. Not exactly the way I wanted to lose weight *shrug* but what can you do?

Robinn- All I'm doing is taking Niacin and vitamin B-12. There are no meds to fix what's wrong with my ears. So the doc didn't fight me when I asked if I could take vitamins. He encouraged it.

Brain- Thank you for the audiology info. You want to know the funny thing? I can hear high pitches easily. It's the low pitches that I have difficulty with. So women are easier for me to hear than men. In fact, at 8000 Hz, I actually have normal hearing. Drives the hubby nuts. I can hear crickets, but I have to ask him to repeat himself. Go figure.


Thank you to everyone that has been keeping me in their thoughts and prayers. I truly do appreciate it.

[Loudmouth]

Skillefer - How odd! My nan (dxd E 60 yrs ago) has always been 'hard of hearing'. I myself was subjected to a barrege of hearing tests at 12 that proved, like you, I have normal hearing in the higher frquencies, but am almost completely deaf in the lower ranges! My daughter has been under ENT & Audiology since she failed her hearing test at 6 months old, and it has been proven that she has the same problem with frequencies as I do (albeit more severely than me, she is classed as partially deaf). Now you have me wondering, as there have been some other consistencies that have come to light at my neurologist's visit, and in conversations with my local epilepsy action lady. We all also have a large coffee stain in the same place, and none of us established a hand preference until a very late age ( 8 for my Nan, 7 for me, 9 for Jade). We are all classed as being 'ambidextrous with a preference for the XXX hand', and all have had to have therapy to help us to 'cross our mid-line' when writing/ throwing/ catching. Was told that the two halves of our brains have 'trouble communicating'. Wonder if there's an epilepsy syndrome that would fit this?

[RobinN]

Was told that the two halves of our brains have 'trouble communicating'.

This is exactly where NFB can help. Sure wish this was one of your options to try.

[skillefer]

A coffee stain? I have what looks like a birthmark. Circular, and about the color of a coffee stain......the thing is, I wasn't born with a birthmark. I noticed the mark a couple of months ago.....hmmmm.....now you're making me think Loudmouth. The only thing is, I'm right handed....always have been. Although I can print so that my writing looks as if someone who was left handed wrote. But I'm definitely right handed. Always have been. But still....ya got me thinking.....

[brain]

Brain- Thank you for the audiology info. You want to know the funny thing? I can hear high pitches easily. It's the low pitches that I have difficulty with. So women are easier for me to hear than men. In fact, at 8000 Hz, I actually have normal hearing. Drives the hubby nuts. I can hear crickets, but I have to ask him to repeat himself. Go figure.

You could possibility have "Normal Hearing" and yet be
tone deaf to certain pitches or hertz (frequencies),
and in your case, you're not able to hear low frequencies
or hertz - so you could be "tone deaf". That's not unusual.

As for the auto-immune syndrome, that's not unusual either,
as for the port-wine stain, or any other type of birth marks
or unusual bodily markings that are abnormal (my son and I
have an unique marking on us) - can reflect multiple things
regarding health issues. It is very interesting, and genetic too.

[speber]

Now you can enjoy Speber's Auditorium !

[skillefer]

LOL....Only if your music is in the cricket range....

[RobinN]

my son has an autoimmune dysfunction that "eats" skin pigment. It is called vitiligo. There are others that attack organs, or hair follicles. I do believe if it is caught early enough it can be reversed.
Hope that is the case with your hearing.

Viruses can lay dormant in the body for a long time.

Any thoughts on this being a physical manifestation that is also involved with your seizures? Viewing the body as a whole system?

[skillefer]

Good point Robinn. Actually, the ENT talked to my neurologist, shared the MRI with him, and they ruled out the hearing problem as being a result of a seizure. The doc believes it's due to a virus, and only gave me a bout a 50% chance of getting any hearing back the first time I talked to him. However, last time I saw him he was pleased and surprised that my hearing was coming back and encouraged me to keep taking the Niacin and B-12. Looking at the info out there, he could have kept me on prednisone for longer than the 2 weeks he had me on it....but I started taking the prednisone about 10-14 days after the hearing loss....too late. And, prednisone has nasty side effects if taken long term. So even if I don't get all of my hearing back, I'd rather get some back using vitamins than all back taking prednisone for 6 months.

[RobinN]

what about the other way around.... what about the virus / immune issue playing a part in the seizure activity? If viruses can lay dormant for many many years, it can bring up multiple issues over time.

Just thinking....

[RobinN]

I also wanted to make note that vaccinations can also cause autoimmune diseases.