Reconstruction expectations

[Guest guest]

You all do such a great job at answering others' questions, that I

hardly ever have to ask any of my own! What a wonderful resource

this group continues to be for me.

I have seen a couple of recent postings about reconstruction, but am

still left wondering if my experience is typical. I had an initial

CWU mastoidectomy/tympanoplasty last October and a second

look/reconstruction surgery in May of this year.

My recovery was unremarkable - much easier than the first surgery.

Have seen the doctor for a couple of examinations and hearing tests.

He seems to think everything has healed well externally and that the

new bones are in their proper place but the hearing tests have been

disappointing. While they have shown a little improvement, my

hearing is still not at all " normal " and I still have tinnitus at

what seems like pre-reconstruction levels.

Needless to say, I'm disappointed. The doctor thought that my

hearing might continue to improve and scheduled our next follow up

for this fall.

Anybody else have a delay in their hearing after reconstruction?

Thoughts about what might be going on? Questions I should ask the

doc next time I see him?

Anybody get their hearing back but still have tinnitus? I was so

looking forward to getting rid of this!

If your reconstruction failed, what happened next for you?

Thanks for your help!

[Guest guest]

Hi

I had a CWD in May 2002, and had a reconstruction in April 04. (Titanium TORP) So far my hearing has improved, however my doctor was disappointed that I didn't regain more hearing. My audiogram show that I have gone from approx 75 decibles to a range between 25 and 55 dbls. Dr Nedzelski thinks this will improve more as I continue to heal. Some sounds really seems "sharp" or piercing in my ear... but I do notice the difference in that I can usually tell the direction sound is coming from, and music is noticeably more pleasant to hear. Sounds are generally louder, especially in the kitchen.

Tinitus though is something that remains the same as before the surgery. I always hear it... in both ears; worse on the operated side though.

Hope this helps.

Lynn

-- Reconstruction expectations

You all do such a great job at answering others' questions, that I hardly ever have to ask any of my own! What a wonderful resource this group continues to be for me.I have seen a couple of recent postings about reconstruction, but am still left wondering if my experience is typical. I had an initial CWU mastoidectomy/tympanoplasty last October and a second look/reconstruction surgery in May of this year. My recovery was unremarkable - much easier than the first surgery. Have seen the doctor for a couple of examinations and hearing tests. He seems to think everything has healed well externally and that the new bones are in their proper place but the hearing tests have been disappointing. While they have shown a little improvement, my hearing is still not at all "normal" and I still have tinnitus at what seems like pre-reconstruction levels.Needless to say, I'm disappointed. The doctor thought that my hearing might continue to improve and scheduled our next follow up for this fall. Anybody else have a delay in their hearing after reconstruction? Thoughts about what might be going on? Questions I should ask the doc next time I see him?Anybody get their hearing back but still have tinnitus? I was so looking forward to getting rid of this!If your reconstruction failed, what happened next for you?Thanks for your help!

[Guest guest]

Lynn,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my reconstruction

question. I appreciate it.

Though am not happy to hear that the tinnitus and I will continue to

be friends :-).

Best,

> Hi

> I had a CWD in May 2002, and had a reconstruction in April 04.

(Titanium

> TORP) So far my hearing has improved, however my doctor was

disappointed

> that I didn't regain more hearing. My audiogram show that I have

gone from

> approx 75 decibles to a range between 25 and 55 dbls. Dr Nedzelski

thinks

> this will improve more as I continue to heal. Some sounds really

seems

> sharp " or piercing in my ear... but I do notice the difference in

that I can

> usually tell the direction sound is coming from, and music is

noticeably

> more pleasant to hear. Sounds are generally louder, especially in

the

> kitchen.

>

> Tinitus though is something that remains the same as before the

surgery. I

> always hear it... in both ears; worse on the operated side though.

>

> Hope this helps.

> Lynn

>

[Guest guest]

I had hoped that the tinitus would go away too. There are some things you can do to help lessen it. Medication such as asa and non steroid anti inflamatories like ibuprophen can make it worse because they are "oto toxic"... also ginko biloba is supposed to help decrease tinitus... of course there is always the options of masking the sound by having another source of noise around you such as a radio... There are also some hearing aids that do this.

Lynn

-- Re: Reconstruction expectations

Lynn,Thank you for taking the time to respond to my reconstruction question. I appreciate it.Though am not happy to hear that the tinnitus and I will continue to be friends :-).Best,> Hi > I had a CWD in May 2002, and had a reconstruction in April 04. (Titanium> TORP) So far my hearing has improved, however my doctor was disappointed> that I didn't regain more hearing. My audiogram show that I have gone from> approx 75 decibles to a range between 25 and 55 dbls. Dr Nedzelski thinks> this will improve more as I continue to heal. Some sounds really seems > sharp" or piercing in my ear... but I do notice the difference in that I can> usually tell the direction sound is coming from, and music is noticeably> more pleasant to hear. Sounds are generally louder, especially in the> kitchen.> > Tinitus though is something that remains the same as before the surgery. I> always hear it... in both ears; worse on the operated side though. > > Hope this helps.> Lynn>