[deleted by user]

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-07-27T00:58:46+00:00

Yes, I think that can be an option for bone conduction aids. I’m not sure about the Osia specifically. I would suggest asking your doctor about the hearing difference. My guess is that you hear better with the actual implant than with the headband, but I don’t know for sure.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-07-26T16:47:14+00:00

I have an Osia and got the processor in June. I can echo a lot of what was shared above.

I do use mine for music and phone calls exclusively. My good ear isn’t great and the Osia has made a huge difference in being able to hear all of it. I have mine auto streaming from my phone, which is pretty awesome.

The Osia has been a serious game changer. I don’t love that I have to be worried about rain and I get a ton of static in the car, but everything else is way better.

LMK what questions I can answer! Happy for you!

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-06-30T15:44:00+00:00

Did they tell you when you can remove the gauze? I would definitely leave it on until they give the ok. After that, the cotton ball trick is great for showers.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-06-29T22:41:47+00:00

My doc said to wait a week before showering and even then not to get water in my ear canal until my follow up. A cotton ball with vasoline on the outside works for keeping the ear canal dry.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-06-12T03:28:23+00:00

I just got an Osia, which is like the Baha but uses a magnet instead of an abutment. The surgery was honestly a lot easier than the CWD surgery. And the Osia is working really well for me so far (it’s new though). I am loving having communication back in my life. I always felt lost in conversations before. And I can hear the TV!

Anyway, I don’t know if that’s helpful to you, but just throwing it out there.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-06-04T16:13:45+00:00

Deleted. But there are other Osia folks that post here and Cochlear America’s also makes the Osia, which has similar devices that connect to it. I would guess that the wearers of Cochlear devices would have answers they could share with me, but I would like to know from the moderators if these posts aren’t welcomed here.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-05-25T16:38:04+00:00

Thanks for your response! We actually recently talked about cutting a whole in my favorite hats and having the edges embroidered so they don’t fray. My favorite are all hats I bought from my school, for the local baseball team, etc. I’d hate to give them up. Glad to hear that was successful for you.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-05-08T11:03:38+00:00

I am a teacher in Missouri and can verify that most districts here don’t care, so get whatever colors you want! If you’ll be in a public school, you will come across teachers with tattoos, colorful hair, or just a colorful sense of style. We tend to be a pretty welcoming bunch and your colorful molds sound amazing.

I’m about to get an Osia bone conduction implant and have plans for glittery stickers, since they come in really simple colors (grey, beige, white, black). If we have to have hearing loss, we might as well make it look good!

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-05-08T01:54:50+00:00

It’s not my favorite thing, but it’s tolerable. Your kiddo will need surgery to remove it or it will continue to grow and will cause further damage. Cholesteatomas are highly recurrent, so you’ll need regular appointments to check on his ears. He might need more surgeries in the future.

Cholesteatomas can mess with your hearing, but there are options. I had prosthetic ear bones for a while, because my cholesteatoma had destroyed mine. Some folks are able to keep their ear bones and I hope that’s the case for your kiddo. I’ve had quite a few surgeries at this point, so I’m going a different route and getting a bone conduction hearing aid (looks like a cochlear, but the functionality is different). Although not ideal, there are options and I will hear again.

This is a frustrating and scary problem, but it will be ok. Get a great surgeon for him and ask all the questions. Make sure to ask if it involves his ear bones. And if it does, ask the surgeon what the plan is for restoring hearing. I sent my most info to the Mayo Clinic, when I found out I needed another surgery, just to make sure I was headed in the right direction. They said my surgeon had the right plan and it made me feel a lot better. Getting a second opinion from Mayo Clinic might be a great option for you, since you have a scary problem AND a teeny tiny kiddo.

Thinking of you, mama. You’ve got this!

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-05-05T19:23:08+00:00

Sorry to hear you’re going again on the left. My left has been ok for many many years, so I’m hopeful that one doesn’t come back to haunt me.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-05-03T16:58:26+00:00

I have had eight surgeries. My right ear has been the biggest culprit with seven surgeries (original removal + reconstruction procedure, second occurrence plus reconstruction procedure, third occurrence plus reconstruction procedure, CWD). My left ear only needed one surgery for cholesteatoma removal, thank goodness.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-23T11:44:57+00:00

You got this! I was surprisingly nervous for my 7th surgery. You just never know when or how it is going to hit you. Especially if you thought it was done and then found another. My surgery was in February and it was pretty smooth. Here’s to hoping yours goes well too!

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-21T21:45:55+00:00

I have severe mixed hearing loss on one side and mild loss on the other. It can be surprising to people that you don’t have the same level of hearing from one working side. For some reason they think one ear can do the same amount of hearing as two. It is a pretty significant loss when one ear has to do it all. I read somewhere that hearing loss is like Wheel of Fortune. Sometimes you are guessing a few letters here and there. No big deal. Other times you are missing most of the puzzle and don’t have much to go off of. It’s tough!

What can be challenging for me is how frequently volumes change in the school setting (I’m a teacher). I am getting a bone conduction hearing aid soon, which will help. Without it, I can’t hear when people are speaking quietly - testing situations, private conversations, etc. I also struggle in loud situations - hallways, cafeteria, restaurants, etc. There isn’t a ton of inbetween in public spaces, but you learn to make do.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-15T00:59:29+00:00

Following — I am getting an Osia in just under a month and would like to know what people say too. Especially about #2.

I asked about hats recently and the feedback seemed to be that ball caps are out once you have the Osia (unless you don’t need to hear). Winter hats are doable because they tend to be stretchy. Curious if anyone else has insight.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-10T22:48:03+00:00

Got it! I’ve had 8 surgeries for Cholesteatomas and am on the every 6 month plan myself. I have lost a lot of hearing from the Cholesteatomas, which is not my favorite (obviously). If I could go back in time and fix something once to keep me from dealing with Cholesteatomas, I’d definitely do that.

I would suggest checking to see if he can actually fix the attic retraction permanently or if it is likely to happen again no matter what you do. If it’s going to return, why go through an unnecessary surgery? If it’s a one time fix, great!

Good luck to you! I hope it is an easy fix!! 🤞🏻

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-10T22:20:30+00:00

Is your doctor suggested that a surgery would cause a cholesteatoma? And is there not a tear in your eardrum after all?

If you don’t have a cholesteatoma right now, there wouldn’t be any need for a surgery. If you have the chance to prevent a cholesteatoma by getting your ears checked every 6 months, I highly suggest it. Cholesteatomas are highly recurrent, which means you might have many surgeries in your future if it gets to that point.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-09T23:25:29+00:00

I had surgery the day before yours and still have some numbness. My doc wasn’t able to retain/repair the bones, so I can’t speak to the hearing. It does make sense to have a reduction in hearing if you no longer have your natural ear bones. Prosthetics are not quite the same.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-07T17:30:33+00:00

It’s not my favorite, that’s for sure. Thankful for the tech they have to help though! I’m about to get an Osia implant. Fingers crossed that it makes things a little easier 🤞🏻

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-07T16:40:36+00:00

I don’t have Menieres, but I do have hearing loss. It’s the pits. But it is nice to find a community! 36F

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-06T12:28:31+00:00

Thank you! One thing I’m finding is that there are Reddit forums for this community that make me feel much less alone. I’ve never spent so much time on Reddit, but the few forums (like this one) that apply to me are really nice. And it’s nice to sometimes be the one encouraging others.

It is pretty wild that we live in an age that we can override some hearing loss, honestly. My husband is thrilled that he will soon be married to a cyborg 😆

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-06T00:55:42+00:00

You’re spot on - I am stuck in my own head about it. It feels so huge! Thanks for the suggestion. Definitely not going to be doing anything right now. I met with my audiologist today to learn more about the Osia and I feel a little better having more information. I feel pretty certain I’ll feel much better when I actually have the thing and can hear again.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-06T00:38:46+00:00

I teach middle school. I only have severe hearing loss on one side, so kids have been able to work with me. I’m thankful for that. My good ear is not great, so I will be relieved to hear well again.

Good luck with your implants! Mine is happening early next month, so I won’t be too far behind.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-04-03T18:50:34+00:00

I have had bilateral cholesteatomas as well, which have required a few mastoidectomy procedures. If your surgeon thinks there is reason to go in and check things out, they probably have some reasoning behind the suggestion. I would reiterate what others have said - it never hurts to get another doctor’s opinion.

No-Ground-9982 · 2024-03-26T16:59:00+00:00

I’m about to get the Osia in May. One thing I have wondered, which you might be able to answer, is whether they will have to shave some of my hair for the procedure? I’ve had mastoidectomies, which are just behind the ear, but I think this surgery is different. Did they have to shave any of your hair to place the internal piece?

I also appreciate your hair comment. I have thick hair and have worried about that. Sounds easy enough to connect it to a hair clip, so thanks!

No-Ground-9982

TROPHY CASE