Cathy Burton shares her story

My hearing issues started about 15 years ago when I started hearing little voices and strange tones in my right ear. These sensations got progressively worse and more noticeable in quiet times. I later found out that what I experiencing was tinnitus – something that I was aware of but never thought I would have to deal with.

A couple of years after this realisation, I contracted a virus that I am sure I got from my workplace. It was particularly bad. I fought it and fought it and should have gone to the Doctor but didn’t. Throughout the effects of the illness I felt like my head was going to explode and it was a pressure build up that I could feel. About a week after the infection cleared I answered a telephone call and put the phone to my right ear. I couldn’t hear anything. Absolutely nothing.

I put up with this loss of hearing but didn’t realise the impact. I was going dizzy a lot. – it could be while I was walking or even sitting at my desk. At home, there were many times when my girls were next to me on my right hand side and I would ask them questions. They would answer, but I didn’t hear anything and would accuse them of not answering. They would then respond quite loudly with “Mum I have answered you”, “you are going deaf!”.
Clearly things were getting worse so I eventually took myself off to a hearing specialist who suggested that implanting grommets could improve my hearing. I was ready to accept any solution, so I agreed to the operation. The upside of having the grommets meant that I could take flights and not have pressure build up or ear pressure pain. However, the grommets were really hard work. They limited what I could do in terms of outdoor activities and unfortunately did not reduce my hearing loss, reduce the effect the tinnitus or decrease the dizzy spells. But, to better manage working and social life I , found I that explaining up front that I was partially deaf in my right ear worked to my advantage.
Some time later I started a new job and moved into a new residence in a very high bush fire zone. It was nice being around the bush but the bushfire risk during the summer months caused me to become anxious about not hearing any dangers that might exist in my environment. And as I became more anxious my tinnitus got worse.

It got to the point where I just couldn’t handle it anymore so I made my first hearing appointment here in Busselton where I met Eimear for a hearing assessment. One thing led to another and I was fitted with a hearing aid which certainly helped my hearing acuity and reduced the effects of the tinnitus. It also helped to reduce my anxiety. And because I could now hear better, my sense of balance improved and I was coping with things better.
The hearing aid was useful for a couple number of years but after the initial improvement in the tinnitus it again became more intense. That was when I came across some research papers explaining how cochlear implants were being used to treat tinnitus. I consulted again with Eimear and was consequently, was fitted with a cochlear implant. .

Two years on I know I made the right choice and I know that having it has increased my confidence and my ability to converse with people. In fact, it is quite a social talking point. When people see the device attached to my head they want to know more Hearing loss is such a hidden disability and when you don’t have a visible disability people just naturally assume your hearing is fine. And when you look at them with a blank look on your face because you clearly haven’t understood, there is the capacity to for all involved to misinterpret things. Having the implant and the visible external device that makes it all work makes it easy to explain my deafness and to help the disability to become more socially acceptable.
Another thing that is really interesting when you have hearing loss is that you find out you are not alone. There are so many people who suffer from hearing deficiency in some way. Having gone through the experience of receiving the implant, I find I have made new connections with those who have had the same treatment. . I am not saying having tinnitus or hearing loss is a blessing, it is not! But it has enabled me to form new and supportive relationships and share my experiences associated with hearing loss.
What Eimear has given me? Confidence and self esteem, and some rewarding new social connections. Eimear has also given me a sense of “I can do this”. She has helped me learn that there are plenty of hearing solutions and there are always people there to support you. Eimear cares, and is always proactive in addressing anything that I perceive to me an issue or finding a solution to a problem. Eimear always takes time to fully explain matters so that I understand what is happening. People say to me that you can always consult the internet to learn about hearing loss and how to deal with it, but there is no substitute for the personal touch, and personal and caring service is what Eimear provides.

There is everything to gain by having a hearing test. Eimear’s practice has all the facilities needed for a comprehensive assessment and ongoing service. Her practice is the best first step that anyone could make. I would encourage anyone who is concerned about their hearing to simply come in and having a chat. It could be a life changer.