Single Sided Deafness
At 55 John was diagnosed with Acoustic Neuroma. This damaged his hearing on the right side and if it had been left untreated could have been life threatening. This is John's story
John Harris 2009
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Hello. My name is John Harris. I'm just 58 years old and live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia. I am still working, as a qualified Engineer and a Manager in a large company based in Brisbane.
Early in 2006, I was diagnosed with Acoustic Neuroma. This is a rare tumour in the hearing nerve. Even though benign it usually causes deafness on the affected side and, if it is not cut out, it can press on brain tissue and, in the worst case scenario, threaten life. So while this surgery could be said to have saved my life, it left me totally deaf in my right ear - or with single sided deafness.
This was a bit of a shock as I had been used to full hearing, and I found it quite difficult to get used to hearing with just one ear in the two years following my surgery. My quality of life was affected and my work became harder. I found conversations tricky when people were not in close proximity or when not face to face.
I was looking for a solution and discussed options with my Surgeon Dr Ben Panizza as well as David Rothwell, the audiologist on the team. My single sided deafness could not be 'treated' with a traditional air conducted hearing aid because I no longer had an intact middle ear and the sound vibrations could not get past this damage.
I was able to trial a Baha to see if it worked for me.
After talking with the professionals, I researched Baha on the internet and viewed a Baha video. I was pleased I could trial a Baha as well as a Wi-Fi Cross Aid hearing system. I found that each did help me to hear on my right side, however, tests in a controlled environment showed that my speech understanding was better with the Baha Divino. The cross aid hearing system was like having just one aid but across two ears. I would have to turn it off to use the phone and then turn it back on later. With the Baha I had my normal hearing in my left ear plus the Baha for my right ear and this meant it was more convenient for times when I needed to use a phone.
After the trials I was assessed as suitable for a Baha and had the operation in early 2007. It took a few months before I could hear because the abutment had to heal. When I was 'switched on' for the first time I could instantly hear normal sounds on my right, including my audiologist speaking quietly from that side. This was absolutely amazing.
My Baha has returned some of my hearing on my right side and has made participation in meetings so much better because I can tell where sound is coming from. At home my family finds it is easier to get my attention because I know when someone is talking to me. It is also easier to hear other conversations around me as long as the background noise level isn't too high.
Not long after I received my Baha one of my work colleagues told me, unprompted, that he found no difference in working with me now than before the operation to remove the Acoustic Neuroma. This confirms how good the Baha has been for me.
If for some reason I do not have my Baha processor on I miss it. The improved hearing I get is so much better than just hearing with one ear alone. The abutment is easy to care for and I have had no problems. The Baha is just simply the way I hear now and has become part of my life.