the hearing front

I know you have just been waiting to find out how things are going on the "hearing front".

On April 23, I had three appointments.  (Actually, most weeks now entail between one to three appointments addressing hearing concerns.)  First, I attended the audiologist who reported that my left ear tested 100% (which therefore seems to at least temporarily eliminate the Otosclerosis in my left ear ~ so why was it clogging up so that I couldn't hear anything?).  She noted that my middle ear had some low tone loss (which was consistent with the November 2009 audiologist test).  My hearing has always been best first thing in the morning ~ so why was I experiencing hearing loss?  As the audiologist performed a pressure test, I experienced pain, especially on my right side.  I commented on the pain experienced but, as always my comment was disregarded.  (By April 23, my Tragus on both the right and left ears were aching and in almost constant pain).  She commented that my sort of hearing loss was very rare and she was surprised I had an Otosclerosis diagnosis.  (Recall that Otosclerosis tends to be a family genetic trait which is absent in my family).

I attended the naturopath at noon.  I told him that, although I had lost a lot of weight with his prescribed diet, I was also losing physical strength and endurance (something I can monitor considering I attend the gym every other day).  He told me that I hadn't learned to properly substitute foods for all the foods he had eliminated from my diet and suggested I eat whole foods until we had another appointment.  (Earlier in the week of April 23, I looked so pale that my co-worker prescribed a turkey club-house sandwich with fries and a milkshake to be consumed forthwith).

I later drove to my hometown to meet with Dr W.  His diagnosis?  He treated me for chronic sinus infection with acupuncture.  Following the treatment, neither of my Tragus were in pain (and haven't been in pain ever since).  My left ear had cleared.  My right ear felt much better.  I asked Dr W: should I continue with the Chinese herbal teas?  His reply (with a thick Chinese accent), "Ewh, that stuff tastes awful!"  I asked him whether I should continue with the naturopathic wacky diet?  Dr W's reply, "Does it make you feel better?"  "No," I replied to which he responded, "Then don't".

Before beginning the drive home, I drove to Fuddruckers, downed a burger (on whole-wheat) and fries in compliance with my co-worker's earlier prescription (although I forewent the milkshake ~ being calorie-conscious you know!).  Thank you, Dr. W.

Since April 23, my hearing has mostly stabilized.  I have been snorting saline twice at minimum daily with my Netipot (as per Dr W's recommendation) to improve my sinuses.  I visited the Audiologist on April 27 and she re-tested my right ear.  It had improved 20 decibels but wasn't as reactive as on April 23.

I am prepping to meet with the Ears Nose Throat specialist later this week.  Sadly, it appears that I need a medicine degree to ensure that I get proper medical treatment.  This week I'll be reading through a Pharmaceutical Manual (which is readily available at my firm).