My best friend is deaf....

http://oceangraces.blogspot.com

My best friend is deaf.

I didn't see that one coming.

She and I giggle a lot, we talk about life, we praise God, we complain about and try to solve our struggles. Recently we began communicating through texting.  Last time I saw her I had to yell in order for her to hear me speak. I figured she would just get another shot in her eardrum. Or take more Cortisone.

But she went to the doctor, once again. This time the doctor told her she was deaf.

Please read her blog to understand more about Meniere's disease and her friends journey through finding out she's deaf. (Her blog above photo).


 

Meniere’s disease

Hydrops; Endolymphatic hydrops

Meniere's disease is an inner ear disorder that affects balance and hearing.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The inner ear contains fluid-filled tubes called semicircular canals, or labyrinths. These canals, along with a nerve in your skull, help interpret your body's position and maintain your balance.
The exact cause of Meniere's disease is unknown. It may occur when the pressure of the fluid in part of the inner ear gets too high.

Symptoms

Attacks or episodes of Meniere's disease often start without warning. They may occur daily, or as rarely as once a year. The severity of each episode can vary.
Meniere's disease usually has four main symptoms:

• Drop in hearing
• Pressure in the ear
• Ringing or roaring in the affected ear
• Vertigo

Severevertigo or dizziness is the symptom that causes the most problems. People who have vertigo feel as though they are spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around them.

• Severe nausea, vomiting, and sweating often occur.
• Symptoms get worse with sudden movement.
• Often, the person will need to lie down.
• The dizziness and feeling of being off-balance will last from about 20 minutes to a few hours.

Hearing loss may occur. Usually the hearing loss is only in one ear, but it may affect both ears.

• A person's hearing tends to recover between attacks but gets worse over time
• Low frequency hearing is lost first
• Roaring or ringing in the ear (tinnitus), as well as a sense of pressure in the ear are common