Revision

The appointment with Dr. S went well in terms of him getting to the bottom of why my ear just doesn't seem "right". The probable outcome is not what I expected, but it is what I want if it means getting the full potential out of my ear.
He took a look into my ear with his microscope and also did a tympanogram of his own. The tymp was normal, meaning there is not fluid in my ear. He also noticed a dry ear while looking with his scope. What he did see was bone cement on the inside of the ear drum and adhesions, both of which are likely restricting my ear's full potential to hear.
The answer? A revision of some sort. Putting me under general anesthesia and peeling back the ear drum, scraping it clean and removing the adhesions during the exploration of the ear. Dr. S said if he can do it he'd like to. Envoy typically won't allow a surgeon to do a revision unless they have at least 25 Esteems implanted. He's around 15. I don't really know what this means for me. I'd like him to do the surgery also, but will do whatever Envoy says since they pay for a revision.
For now, I've been prescribed Flonase (steroid nasal decongestant) to see if that will help alleviate any of the fullness in my ear. I'm supposed to get in touch with Dr. S in about 6 weeks to let him know how the Flonase is working, then go from there with plans to do or not do the revision.

Honestly, I'm just glad that I have a legit reason to not be hearing well and why my hearing has been sounding distorted! I'm still having trouble increasing my volume from C 3. I try to go to 4 and louder, higher pitched noises just sound whistley, like it's on the verge of feedback. But, definately still a big improvement since the last adjustment!

It sounds like the revision rate is getting somewhere up around the 5% mark now. I wonder if this will make Envoy think of different ways to do the approach to the surgery? Or if those that are getting revisions have some common denominator that makes the revisions necessary?

Uh-oh Tympanogram

I saw my own audi last week to pick up my HA, and out of curiosity I asked her to check a tymp on my right ear as it has felt full or like it has pressure in it since my Esteem was put in. She did and the results were abnormal. So I shot off an email complete with the image of the tymp to Dr. S and sure enough, I have to go see him this Thursday. The theory is that it's probably fluid, but as he said "tymps aren't always correct". Fingers crossed it's something simple!

Vacation Treat!

I went to New York City last week for vacation, and to see my best friends' new apartment. The city was fun as always but the best part of the week was going to the Jersey Shore and playing in the Atlantic all day!! It was just the best thing to be able to hear while in the water! This was my first time swimming with the Esteem and let's just say that this experience has totally made up for any of the down falls I have with the device.
I was thrown around and pulled under water by the waves and it felt like water was plugging my ears, especially the left, so much so that I thought it was blocking sound altogether. Then I realized that it wasn't water making me feel like I couldn't hear, it was the fact that the implanted ear was hearing so well!! I was amazed by that. Truly a blessing! I kept telling my hubby and friends how cool it was to be able to hear and know what was being said. Now I can't wait to go tubing and kayaking!! Those activities were always soooo frustrating trying to hear others talking as I floated away from them.
The only downside from being in the water is I do think I got water in my ear somehow. Everytime I blow my nose there is really painful pressure and then a popping in my Esteem ear. Not really sure what to make of it.

Dr. S has been in contact with me regarding the issues I brought up to Paul at my adjustment. I should get more answers in the next couple of weeks.