I know how you feel. I went deaf in my right ear while on holiday 4 years ago, and have had scans and tests and the doctors all say that it could be a virus that caused it.

Kristen:
I was born with hearing in both ears. Sometime around the age of 8 or 9, I lost complete hearing in my left ear. Nerve damage, according to the doctors. I'm 39 now, and it's still hard. I can only give you one piece of advice, and I wish someone had not only told me, but pushed and encouraged me to follow it.

Don't pretend you can hear to others just because you don't want to deal with it. Always, go through the extra effort of telling people, and reminding them when they are sitting, standing, or talking on the wrong side of you. Ask them if you can switch, or change sides. If you can't switch, turn your head, even if it is awkward and obvious to everyone around. They and you will never regret it. Missing out on what the conversations that might have been is much worse.

Hi Kristen,
I've also got the same problem as you.Presently i'm 20 years old and am studying engineering from very reputed institute.Daily i face many problems due to my SSD but still i always try hard to not to reveal it to any of my friends or other persons.No one except me and my parents know it.I think you take a very bold step by telling the people around you about your problem but in my view,if i also start telling people about my SSD i think they would rather look at me with inferior eyes. So,i wud better like to carry it all along my life as it's going presently unless some perfect therapy is developed.

Hiya Mack & delayed hello to Amy!

I can't imagine how you must feel -- my deafness was only in the one ear, and it was only temporary (for about a week and a half) because of a virus. I can only imagine how it must feel having a permanent loss. I would be inclined to agree with Amy though -- to endure the initial embarrassment of having to explain to someone they need to speak louder, but to enjoy the benefit of being able to understand what's going on, rather than to look like you know what's going on, but to be missing out on so much.
It might be difficult at first, until you feel more confident in who you are... I don't mean to sound cruel, but what if they don't find a cure for your SSD -- you'd be waiting all that time and missing so many things...

I think you may find that some people will treat you exactly the same as they do now, just as you will find that some people will treat you differently-- human being are not perfect... and therefore fear the things which they don't understand or aren't familiar with. But you need to be yourself-- and feel comfortable in yourself... and not put on an act...

I hope I haven't come across as preachy -- in re-reading my words, I think I sound a bit harsh, but if so, re-read them in a friendlier tone in your head, because that's how I mean them!

Interesting. I have been deaf in my right ear now for 2 days (temporary deafness). I'm afraid of going to the doctors and so came online for help.

Interesting the first site I came to was this, and the date of first mention was March 5th 2004. I looked at this site March 5th 2005. That was odd. Anyway, i'm guessing mine's just a virus too, but I get them a lot, at least once a year...I hope that's normal. It's hard being deaf, but I'm not afraid to tell people...they would be sympathetic more than anything. I meet them and say that I have lost the hearing in one ear and so if I don't respond to them, it's because I'm half deaf and not because I'm ignoring them! It goes down quite well!

All I hear now is a buzzing sound and it is painful every now and then, and it is certainly painful to burp or yawn. I just want it to go away. Listening in lectures was a nightmare! It makes you appreciate your hearing a lot more. Mine came on overnight, I was sleeping on my right side and just thought I'd laid too hard on my right ear. Maybe I had?

It's strange because I played the music in my left earphone to the loud sound I usually have it. I then put my right earphone in (and removed me left) and I could still hear it, but it was very very quiet. Was very strange!

i guess i should start telling people cause kristen helped me out with that i dont have my right side

Do any of you hear a ringing on the side you can't hear out of? I've not been able to hear through my right ear for days and it just keeps rining and ringing. And yes it sucks...

I have been completely deaf in my left ear since October 12, 2004. I just turned 17 and am a junior in high school. Its really hard in school for me. In the morning, I cant wake up on time because I dont hear my alarm, so my mom has to turn my light on. I don't always hear the bell at school. Some of my teachers still dont know that i am deaf and so its really difficult in class, too. I dont always hear homework assignments or directions. Most people at school don't know I am deaf so when they say something in the hallway, I dont always hear them. It makes me look like a jerk. And, alot of times, when i inform people that i am deaf, they think i am joking.
i still dont know how to best cope and I am scared about going away to college, where it will probably be worse. my doctors want me to think about technology to help it, but my parents think that i dont need it. what do i do?

Hello, well i have been deaf in my right ear ever since i was born.i dont nitoice the major loss like osme others but i do know that i can hear. It is horrible, but i have had to learn to deal with it. i do have to make people stand on the other side of me and slightly turn my head. Some people notice and some people dont. but it is not very nice and then i sometimes have problems with my other ear aswell so thats when i get scared of becoming completly deaf in both ears

i wish i had some courage like u do.....but i dont i would rather hide it than tell ppl who r around me cuz i have told someone who didnt understand........

I have been deaf in my left ear since I was born and although it can be an inconvenience on occasionsit's something I am used to and you just compensate. My other senses are very good. It can be a bit annoying when there is a lot of noise around but I guess if you know no other way it really is a minor inconvinience. what I don't understant is why would you try and hide it in normal life. I must admit that being a school teacher I don't tell my students(think about the reasons) but I am not embarrassed at all by it. All it can do is make it harder for you to live with-just tell people -they do understand and most are great.

I have been almost completely deaf in my left ear for about 5-6 days ever since i first started feeling pain then i got a really bad fever with coughing. Ive been that way for about a week i hope everything gets better. It sucks not being able to hear people on my left side :(

I have been almost completely deaf in my left ear for about 5-6 days ever since i first started feeling pain then i got a really bad fever with coughing. Ive been that way for about a week i hope everything gets better. It sucks not being able to hear people on my left side :(

hi my name is joel g

age 30:
last year i went deaf due to sudden hearing lose on my left side. I told everyone and my wife and they all understand.I miss listing to music at night. the ringing wont stop i am going crazy sometimes. Please help jgoldbaum@nyc.rr.com

I know how you feel, I am deaf in my left ear now. It will go away I hope, but I know how it feels. I am not completeley deaf in my left ear, it's just that water is trapped deep in there. I'd say 61% of my left ear is deaf.