Re: Son with Cholesteatoma/left vs. right

[Guest guest]

I agree, but will add that the background noise problem isn't limited

to the right ear. This is a problem for unilateral loss in general.

That is something that is tested by the audiologist, and can be

absolutely mind-blowing when you realize the problem.

For my daughter, with a left ear loss, she could only hear 50% of what

was being said at 50db of background noise. That's less noise than

the average classroom (often estimated at 60db). I had no idea she

was missing so much. I also fully recommend the hearing aid, which

helps a lot.

--Lynn

PS - Marie, you're very lucky your school system is so helpful! Wish

ours were.

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > I am new to the board and have a few questions regarding my son,

> who

> > is 9, and was recently diagnosed with a cholesteatoma.

> >

> > He is scheduled to have a surgery in January. It will be through

> > the canal, because the doctor does not think the cholesteatoma is

> > that big.

> >

> > I am really concerned about the impact this will have on his

> life.

> > He has lost about 50% of the hearing in his right ear and I hope

> > that he will get most of it back.

> >

> > After reading some of these posts, I am not so sure that this will

> > be the case. I am wondering what affects this will have on his

> > life.

> >

> > I have rarely dealt with hard-of hearing people, and do not know

> > what life is like for them. What if he needs a hearing aid. Will

> > it be hard on him socially?

> >

> > I would really like to understand what he is going through so that

> I

> > can know how to help him.

> >

> > Thanks so much,

> >

> > Ellen

> >

>

[Guest guest]

One of the important things that SCOE does for my son is let him and

his teacher borrow an " FM system " device. This device has a " boot "

that goes on my son's aid, and a microphone that hangs around the

teacher's neck. It works like a radio on a special FM band for the

deaf. The teacher speaks into the microphone and the voice is fed

directly into the aid. It brings the teacher's voice into the

foreground for my son. Not to mention funny incidents where he goes

to the restroom and can still hear what is going on in class or (not

so funny) when the teacher forgets to turn off the microphone for

private conversations! All the other kid wish they could have one,

too.

This is another thing I learned about from SCOE. I didn't know it

existed before, but it makes a huge difference. So if you CAN get it

from your local Office of Education, it's worth asking/trying for.

Or it can also be bought privately but is quite expensive, about as

much as the hearing aid itself.

I realize we are quite blessed with the services and help we are

getting from SCOE. I do understand that many counties don't offer

this kind of thing, but I wish they all did.

Marie

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I am new to the board and have a few questions regarding my

son,

> > who

> > > is 9, and was recently diagnosed with a cholesteatoma.

> > >

> > > He is scheduled to have a surgery in January. It will be

through

> > > the canal, because the doctor does not think the cholesteatoma

is

> > > that big.

> > >

> > > I am really concerned about the impact this will have on his

> > life.

> > > He has lost about 50% of the hearing in his right ear and I

hope

> > > that he will get most of it back.

> > >

> > > After reading some of these posts, I am not so sure that this

will

> > > be the case. I am wondering what affects this will have on

his

> > > life.

> > >

> > > I have rarely dealt with hard-of hearing people, and do not

know

> > > what life is like for them. What if he needs a hearing aid.

Will

> > > it be hard on him socially?

> > >

> > > I would really like to understand what he is going through so

that

> > I

> > > can know how to help him.

> > >

> > > Thanks so much,

> > >

> > > Ellen

> > >

> >

>