Hearing loss ETD

I doubt it my DS has any thing to do with it but since I am told it is idiopathic I am looking at every thing in my life.  I was diagnosed recently with ETD and more importantly unilateral hearing loss in my R ear.  I made the grave error of assuming I was coming down with a cold.  When nothing developed after four days I went to Walgreens clinic and was diagnosed with ETD and was given a nasal steroid spray which has a small amount of a steroid in it.  After a few more days and no improvement I went directly to an ENT who informed me this is very common and there was a 70% chance my hearing loss is permanent.  I was placed on a high dose of an oral steroid taper and informed me instance such as mine if there is a chance of returning hearing it usually in cases in which someone has received treatment within 3 days of the hearing loss. I returned the next day for an in depth hearing test and was placed on multiple antibiotics.  Still no improvement and I am being referred to a sub specialist to have a steroid injected into the nerve apparently I am still within the period of time of a possibility of regained hearing loss.  From what I understand the greater amount of hearing loss the less likely it will return and in my case the hearing loss is great.  I am thankful it is unilateral and pray my hearing will return however if it does not I will simply adjust and move forward.  One if this ever happens to any one please do not dismiss the loss is related to a cold as I did and if any one of you know me I am a nurse!!!  The sad thing is we are exposed to so much we tend to minimize things that happen and in this case I should have acted sooner.  Who knows if it would have done any good if I did seek treatment right away.  Now for my question............  I have researched every thing under the sun as any one can imagine would in my situation even a new muscle relaxer I started taking for restless leg syndrome.  Please do not get offended as I am not pointing the finger at my DS I am simply wondering if any one has heard of an increased instance of out of the blue hearing loss with perhaps malnutrition or with some deficiency which my DS would place me at a greater risk?  Any response would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance.  FYI I did read some thing about low iron and association with hearing loss but my ENT completely dismisses it and states they are lean more towards a viral or bacterial infection.  I figured it was worth a shot and would reach out to my friends and fellow DS'ers if I gain nothing if I get the word out and someone hears my story and ends up obtaining treatment for themselves or a family member quicker because they read this and reverses any hearing loss then my post was well worth it.  Please have a wonderful weekend and know I love my DS!!!!  Donna

I see my dietitian in a few days, I'll ask if she's heard anything about it or seen it posted in any of the professional sites she reads.  Wishing you good luck with this. I hope the steroids help. 

--gina

I truly appreciate it and am looking very forward to your nutritionist take on it. 

Thank you sincerely for responding.

Donna

I pray you get some results, Donna!

Being a nurse and the exposure to virauses and bacterial "stuff", I'd say you're probably more at risk as a result of your profession than the DS.  

At this point I have worked myself of and am in no greater risk then the general public as I work in an office setting for a wonderful insurance company that treats both their mbrs and employs were well.  I specifically work in the federal side so thankfully the denial rate is even lower.  Sad to say DS is one of the least often procedures requested and the most common has been the sleeve even a tad more then the lap bad which is surprising.  Often since lap band it less invasive a lot of people including my less go down the road of wasting their time.  Obviously I would not want to loss hearing for a less weight but I am so grateful I had my DS.  For some reason when something does pop up the first thing I was to make sure my new physician is aware of my history.  When I initially was told my hearing loss was permanent I did cry and the second thing out of my mouth was did I cause this related to the DS.  Thinking back it frustrates me as it was one of the best decision I have ever made.  I truly was unhappy with my wt and although I am heavier then most at around 162 I am happy.  I keep up with my daughter and do not feel miserable when I move as with my size 5' 4 " body 207 pounds decided the best place was smack dead in my abd region..... which made is difficult to breath.  My comparison was when I was pregnant.  I did get as low as 150 but I am not happy where I am now.  I wear a size 12 and allow some may think I am settling I truly was not looking for my body from when I was sixteen I simply wants to have my breathing under control.  I know I have some protein dec and I have some lines in my toes nails.  The better I am about my protein shakes the lines go away.  Odd thins is it is associated only with my toe nails and not my finger nails.  My protein is shake helps me as I can not get all the protein in without it plus if I do not drink my shake my daily BM is not routine and I feel bloated.  I have just made it part of my morning.  My labs for iron dropped down to and I have been treated for a month and in 2 more months I will check again.  I am wondering if calcium or Vit D could have any thing to do with a hearing loss and it you hear any thing you are guys amazes me with all the information you retain!!!  Thanks again for your support.  It nice to share something that is scary with out judgment. 

I am truly blessed!!! Today I saw a sub specialist regarding my hearing loss. After an examination I was told they wanted to preform an in office procedure but it first needed to be approved by my insurance company (mind you I work for the same ins company)...... At this time I was directed to a back office waiting area. The medical assistant placed the call to my insurance company on speaker and for the next 17 minutes I heard music and then was informed it would have to be scheduled for Monday as my insurance office was closed. I explained I work for the insurance company and that it was not possible as we take calls until 5 pm. I reached out to a supervisor who happened to pick up her cell phone who provided another number that the providers office was not using for some reason. My hearing loss is believed to be the cause of a virus and studies have shown the sooner you have the procedure which is simply a matter of injecting a steroid to the inner ear the greater the chance of hearing resolution/restoration. While the provider worked with my insurance company I put word out which in turn caused a prayer line. Before I knew it at 437 in the afternoon I was taken back to a room, the injection had occurred and I had to lie still for 60 minutes. Meanwhile my beautiful kind hearted youngest daughter Madison sat calmly, played with my I phone and announced ever so often how much time had passed. I am gratefully for every aspect of this situation from the qualified providers, to the administrator who made the necessary calls, to my sister and friends support with the prayer line, to the supervisor who took the time to accept a call and last but not least I am absolutely flabbergasted how incredible my sweet dear teenager is!!! Yes, teenagers can be self-centered and an occasional pain but it is truly amazing... when I needed her I saw I am raising an incredible human being. I heard no complaints even though she had not eaten since breakfast. As I said I am blessed. It is the small things in life that truly matters.

I'm so glad things worked out for you. Please keep us posted on how well the procedure is working. 

--gina

I see my dietitian in a few days............  I am looking very forward to what you find.  Dr Syms felt it did not have any thing to so with vit or minerals as it would be bilateral instead of unilateral............ but for some reason like I do not deserve the DS or that it was a good thing when something comes up that is the first thing I reveal to any provider.