Cognitive Issues vs Hearing Problems

For a long time, I thought that my problems understanding people was due to cognitive dysfunction.  Although cognitive dysfunction is probably more common in MS than central hearing loss, the latter shouldn’t be ruled out when you have neurological problems like MS.  

I have been having lots of trouble understanding speech—especially in noisy environments.  Since I have MS, I looked for possible causes.  One that I found was central hearing loss.  It was thought to be extremely rare compared to sensorineural or conductive types of hearing loss, but is now found to be much more common.

I haven’t been to the audiologist yet and won’t know if the problem is a central hearing loss problem, but when I did some research, it has opened my eyes and gave me a revived hope for correcting the problem with hearing aids which may help somewhat.  You can imagine the impact on my life that not hearing others has caused me with being a teacher.    

What I hear is a lot of mumbling (much like Charlie Brown hears of his teacher!).  I find myself reading lips—no kidding.  I didn’t realize I was doing this until I read about this.  I literally cannot hear unless I stop and tune in and watch the speaker’s facial expressions, gestures, and mouth.  I cannot understand what people are saying when there are more than one person talking or background noise.  I do turn up the TV so loud that people cannot bear to be in the same room, but for some reason this helps.  I know the volume is loud, I can hear the loudness, but it somehow helps (I can’t tell you how, though).  Plus, at the annoyance of others, I have them repeat over and over again.  Most of the time people give up (even my own kids).  This problem makes me feel like I have serious brain damage.  

Is this you?  What’s your take on it?  I found an interesting web site if you think this may be a cause of your language problems:

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/hearing/cent_hearing.html

Hugs to all of us that are suffering with neurological symptoms—diagnosed or not.

Deb

[young at heart]

DEB,

I HAVE SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS DO TO MY MS.

THAT WAS DETECTED BY A NEURO-OTOLOGIST.

I CAN RELATE TO WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH.

GET THE HEARING CHECKED,SOME SAY IT'S RARE,NOT AS RARE AS ONCE THOUGHT.

T-LYNN

[julia111]

Deb,  I have these same issues and sympathize with you.

When do you go to the audiologist?  

Thanks for the link to the website.  I'll check it out!

Julia

[Deb61]

I'm seeing the audiologist on October 30.  I'm curious as to how many of us have hearing problems.  

Deb