I introduced to you all part 1 of my story, but I want to share a personal journey that touched the very core of my being during a time that should have been filled with nothing but anticipation and joy – experiencing hearing loss during pregnancy.

I’ve always believed in the power of sharing our experiences to create understanding and support, even when it’s literally the last thing I like to think or talk about.

Understanding Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, often abbreviated as SSNHL, is a rare condition where there is a sudden and unexplained loss of hearing in one or both ears. This type of hearing loss occurs due to damage to the inner ear’s sensory hair cells or the nerves that transmit sound signals to the brain. Unlike gradual hearing loss, SSNHL can happen abruptly, often within a span of a few hours or days.

So, here’s more of my story of experiencing Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss during my pregnancy, and some important facts about this condition that I’ve come to learn along the way.

April 14, 2022 – A Day of Silence

I was 28 weeks pregnant, and my life was bustling with the excitement and chaos that comes with expecting a new member of the family. It was Thursday, April 14th, and I found myself at an event. Suddenly, the room appeared strangely quiet. It was as if someone had turned down the volume of the world around me. Panic set in, and I immediately left the event to call my doctor.

My initial plan was to go to Urgent Care after picking up the kids from school, but fate had other plans. My hearing miraculously returned and all was right in the world again…or so I thought.

The Rollercoaster Begins

In a a cruel twist of fate, as just two days later, I woke up to a horrifying realization – the hearing loss was back, and this time, it seemed permanent and was accompanied by some numbness on my right side around the ear. This was no minor inconvenience; it was in my right ear, and it had taken a piece of my world away.

This time, I wasted no time and rushed to Urgent Care, desperate for answers. Unfortunately, they couldn’t provide a diagnosis. They prescribed a steroid treatment, but I was gripped by fear. The safety of my pregnancy hung in the balance, and I couldn’t take that risk without seeing a doctor first.

A Glimmer of Hope

A couple of days later, I managed to secure an emergency appointment with an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist (ENT).  I performed a full hour-long hearing test and it was in that sterile examination room that the truth hit me like a ton of bricks.  A few minutes later, my doctor confirmed that I had a condition called Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.  I remember breaking down in his office, my tears an outlet for the immense grief and frustration I felt.

In the following weeks, I embarked on a treatment journey that offered a slight glimmer of hope. It started with a low dose of prednisone, followed by three consecutive steroid shots directly into my ear canal (a procedure known as intratympanic steroid injections).  Between the steroids and the injections…oh, and the pregnancy…I felt like I was slowly deteriorating – physically, emotionally and mentally.

The Unanswered Questions

But, despite the rigorous treatment, my hearing never returned.

The most challenging part of this journey was not knowing the cause. There was no telling what had triggered this condition, and whether my hearing would ever come back. I heard stories of individuals who had regained their hearing after as long as eight years, but there were no guarantees. It was a cruel waiting game that tested (and continues to test) my patience and resilience.

Learning to Cope

I had to learn to adapt to my new reality. I discovered that openness was my greatest ally. Telling people that I couldn’t hear helped bridge the gap of understanding. They knew I wasn’t ignoring them; I’m just  navigating a world that is muted in one ear.

The Bright Side

In every cloud, there’s a silver lining. In a weird way, recognizing that silver lining is the only way I know how to cope with the things life throws at you.  I started to focus my attention on everything good in my life – healthy children, family support, love, success, etc.- and I told myself “How dare I” harbor on this one negative when my blessings are apparent.  I’ll even admit, there were times I even felt some solace in the fact that I could just keep my crying baby on my right side and tune him out a little bit. It was a small comfort, but it was a reminder that even in the darkest moments, life finds a way to bring moments of joy.

All jokes aside, my journey with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss during pregnancy was an unexpected twist in my life’s symphony. It has been challenging, but I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty of resilience and the importance of sharing our stories. To anyone going through a similar experience, know that you’re not alone, and together, we can find strength in our shared journeys.

Thank you for joining me on this deeply personal journey.