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As printed in Hearing Health, volume 20:3,
Fall 2004
By Billie Dawn West
In May and again in September of 1996, I experienced
episodes of severe dizziness and moderate tinnitus.
An MRI revealed an acoustic neuroma (AN), a benign tumor
that affects hearing, facial and balance nerves. Though
not cancerous, such a tumor can become life-threatening
if not removed.
As my case was not “critical,” I was monitored
for tumor growth with yearly MRIs. Meanwhile my symptoms
of dizziness eventually ended and the tinnitus subsided
somewhat. Then in 2002, my MRI showed that the AN had
doubled in size since the year before.
When the tumor had first been diagnosed, the head
of neurosurgery at the University of Chicago Medical
Center informed me that if it ever started to grow,
I should contact the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles
because they are experts at removing ANs. After meeting
with Dr. Rick Friedman, a neurotologist at the institute,
I decided to have the tumor removed. I had surgery in
August 2002 and as is common with AN removal, it resulted
in complete loss of hearing in my right ear.
At first I thought I would adjust to Single Sided Deafness
and it was the price to pay to be rid of the tumor.
However, I did not get used to it. It was especially
hard to be in crowds, restaurants, theaters, any situation
where there were a lot of different noises. I was constantly
asking, “Would you repeat that?” I found
myself staying home more, avoiding outings because of
my limited hearing.
In my work as an advertising salesperson for a television
station, I was very frustrated at not being able to
hear my clients’ requests and was afraid I would
make mistakes on their orders. I became reclusive on
and off the job.
Then I discovered an article about the BAHA system.
I called my doctor to learn more. I liked what I learned
and in April 2004, I underwent surgery to receive the
implant portion of the BAHA system.
After three months, I was fitted with the sound processor.
A few days later, I made a presentation to a group of
nine people. We were seated at eight-foot-long tables
placed in a square. I had people on my left, my right
and in front of me. I could hear each person as they
spoke without turning my head to meet their voice with
my good ear and I could hear their follow-up questions.
It was fantastic!
During the discussion I was able to distinguish voices
instead of just garbled noise. The BAHA system made
participation in the group a breeze – something
I had not experienced since my AN surgery. I was elated!
Now my confidence is restored. I can look straight
at people when they speak to me. My quality of life
is so much better. I’m even planning a trip to
Germany in the spring. I used to live there many years
ago and have wanted to return but I didn’t have
the confidence to travel overseas alone until I received
the BAHA system. Now I not only think I can travel that
distance, I think I’ll be able to communicate
in German again!
There is no longer anything to stop me – look
out world!
Related Articles:
Taking the Ear
Out of the Equation
Owen’s Verbal
Explosion
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