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Sudden Hearing Loss and Impact on Music Enjoyment

This post is partly a cautionary tale and partly me looking for advice from fellow audiophiles who might have been through something similar.

At the end of January this year, I had a sinus infection that seemed to affect my left ear. One morning I woke up and noticed that my ear felt muffled and my hearing wasn’t quite right. At first, I assumed it was just my sinuses acting up. I tried wax-removal drops and even did some irrigation, but nothing improved. My doctor then prescribed a course of steroids, thinking it might be related to fluid buildup.

Unfortunately, things got worse. I gradually lost almost all hearing in that ear, and there was a lot of distortion as well.

I eventually saw an ENT specialist and an audiologist, and that’s when I learned that this was most likely Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL). Apparently, if the correct treatment is started within about 72 hours, there’s a chance the hearing can be saved. After that short window closes, the loss is often permanent. I really wish I had known that earlier when I first contacted my doctor.

So if anyone reading this ever experiences sudden changes in hearing, please don’t wait—get to an ENT immediately. The treatment window is extremely short.

Now that I’m starting to come to terms with this, I’ve begun researching options like hearing aids and cochlear implants. That leads me to my question for anyone here who has experience with either.

As audiophiles, we tend to listen to music a bit differently—we focus on details, tone, timbre, soundstage, and all those subtle nuances. For those of you using hearing aids or who have undergone cochlear implant surgery, how has it affected your ability to enjoy music? Does music sound very different? Were you able to reconnect with it in a meaningful way? As you can imagine, this is both stressful and sad that I won't be able to enjoy the one hobby that has become such an important part of my life.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Feel free to share here, or send me a DM if you’d rather keep it private.

arafiq
Post removed 
jhcjr
28 posts
 

My hearing has gotten progressively worse for the last 10 years. I only really acknowledged it about 4 years ago and got hearing aids. They make my hearing better but it’s no where near the same as it was no matter how smart the hearing aids have become. I’ve just learned to live with it while waiting for a better solution which I’m not sure will ever show up. A good set of headphones has helped, but it just not the same. Mine is about the same in both ears so I sympathize with your situation in that hearing well in one ear and muffled in the other must be rather annoying. 
 

I’ll let someone with direct knowledge about cochlear implants opine, I’ve just heard that it’s better than being deaf but nothing like real hearing. 
 

On a somewhat tongue-in-cheek funny note my hearing loss has stopped my search for the ultimate stereophile system dead in its tracks as no tweaks or new gear will make much of a difference to my ears at this point. 
 

Hope you find a solution. 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,744 posts
 

@arafiq brave post - I certainly  feel  for you and wish you the best in this. Grace peace and healing. I have my  checkup  audiology appointment later this week and will broach this topic.

best to you

jim

 

akgwhiz
202 posts
 

Arafiq, so sorry to learn about this.  Hopefully as stated above some or all hearing could return.  I have tinnitus but that seems to not affect my enjoyment.   I have normal 65 yo hearing in my right but the left is suppressed in the 3-4k range.  My solution has been to use a high quality EQ to dial back up those bands, left only, and make up for the loss.  Center has returned and as this is all psycho-acoustic in nature, it seems like I've never lost a beat.  Stay optimistic.  In fact im currently in the DIY building process for my final speakers.  Aids could help boost volume and/or freq but in the listening room, take advantage of the good equipment you have and simply tweak it per the same profile you (may) use in any aids.  Pop those in for daily life.  I fortunately dont sense any deficiency in day to day living, for now.  My right is fine and since I do all of the driving I still can hear the wife cringing to my right over my spirited driving shenanigans.   Oh, but to be British... 

djmarkski
2 posts
 

Something similar happened to me last year. I had a bad sinus infection that lead to 90% lose in hearing. As time passed the hearing did came back. I'm not a Dr so i don't know if why for some people it comes back and others not so much. My doctor was not concerned and said give it time. 

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