Osteogenesis Imperfecta Support Group

Hey guys.

I'm new here. I initially found this site for other issues, but am glad there's an OI group!

So i was wondering if any of you have had hearing problems or know of a fellow Oier who has? I started having really bad tinnitus about four years ago, but my hearing was ok. I remember in high school when we had to have routine check-ups, the school nurse told me to go back because her my hearing test was inconclusive. I never went back. This was about 7 years ago when i was around 16.

Now, in the last three and a half years, i've noticed the problem, so i went to get it checked and sure enough, i did have some hearing loss, mostly in my right ear. Well, at the time i had just started a music production program in college and thought i'd just tough it on out. But this last year has been pretty rough in terms of the increased tinnitus while being involved in music. I've been told that i have otoscleorsis and my two options are hearing aides or the stapedectomy. I don't have insurance and can barely afford certain things for doc appointments. It's a long story.

Then I searched and found that is actually common for people with OI, particularly type III and IV. I have type III. And i was never told this when i was younger. I could have taken care of my ears much better as apposed to exposing myself at so many shows. Aside from all of the other medical, psychological things i've dealt with, this has by far been one of the worst. I guess it's also because it came at the most inconvenient time, not that experiencing hearing loss is convenient at any other time, but i was right in the middle of building goals that required my hearing to be good. It was right when i was taking classes that required me to be in studios for hours at a time. Aside from the regular ringings and buzzings, I had a strange experience two weeks ago where i felt like i was underwater, like i was muffled when i talked and the worst part was my voice was distorted. Thankfully that only lasted about a week. I've had this three times in the past three years.

I was wondering if anyone has experienced this?
Posted on 11/08/09, 06:11 pm