Hearing loss

the_wife
the_wife Member Posts: 184
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Before hubby started treatment his doc did a hearing test on him (just in case). During treatment he had super sensitive hearing, but not what you'd call "loss" in any sense of the word. It wasn't until after he was nearly done and afterwards that we began to discover that he had 30% loss. At the time it wasn't high on our list of concerns - just getting through treatment and recovery was a major project. Now that we know his hearing loss is permanent, we found out that our insurance company doesn't cover hearing aides and of course as we all know, the cost is prohibitive to pay yourself.

Just a warning to all those out there beginning treatment... Be sure to keep in touch with your docs and report any hearing changes quickly, especially if you are being treated with Cisplatin. It is a known side effect, but again, we don't always get the full disclosure. We are grateful that he is cancer-free and much better than the alternative, but just thought I'd put it out there for others.

Comments

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #2
    Agreed...

    My husband was beginning to show signs of high frequency loss before diagnosis. The Cisplatin put that loss on the fast track. He now has a moderate to severe loss, especially in the higher frequencies. He now wears hearing aids bilaterally. They were costly but worth every penny because he needs to hear for work. For those reluctant to try hearing aids, would you not buy glasses because they are expensive? If you need them, you need them. Your local Better Speech and Hearing Agency may offer services on a sliding scale. Be sure to go to a reputable audiologist. Ours worked with us to find the right kind of aids. Often you can have a trial period so you can find the best fit for you.

    Barbara

  • corleone
    corleone Member Posts: 312 Member
    edited August 2016 #3
    Positive aspects

    I had hearing loss from Cisplatin, especially on the higher range. I can’t hear sounds higher than 2KHz, so missing some consonants, among other things. I am using hearing aids, they help in a quite environment. Having said that, you also have to focus on the positive side. For instance, I can’t hear everything my wife says, and when I do (and don’t like what I hear) I may as well ignore her – and I have a good excuse (too bad she figured that out!). Secondly, I no longer hear the pesky cicadas, or crickets. Thirdly, no need for expensive audio equipment, any crappy receiver will do it.

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #4
    corleone said:

    Positive aspects

    I had hearing loss from Cisplatin, especially on the higher range. I can’t hear sounds higher than 2KHz, so missing some consonants, among other things. I am using hearing aids, they help in a quite environment. Having said that, you also have to focus on the positive side. For instance, I can’t hear everything my wife says, and when I do (and don’t like what I hear) I may as well ignore her – and I have a good excuse (too bad she figured that out!). Secondly, I no longer hear the pesky cicadas, or crickets. Thirdly, no need for expensive audio equipment, any crappy receiver will do it.

    Nice positive attitude Corleone

    My husband let's me know when he is going off the air for the night so I know anything said after that will be ignored. then there's always the "convenient" my batteries are dead excuse....

    Barbara

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
    What is that you said

     

    You are correct, I now suffer with over 85% hearing loss on my right ear and 90% hearing loss in my left. My insurance use to pay up to $1,000.00 dollars on new hear aids, the problem was my hearing aids cost $7,500.00 dollars. Now that I have no insurance at all the total cost is all out of pocket. All I can do is to take really good care of them and hope they last a long long time. Also my hearing loss is from radiation not the Chemo. Not sure if that makes a different's or not hearing loss is hearing loss i guess.

     

    Tim

     

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