‘A viral infection robbed me of my hearing’

In September, I developed a seemingly irritating, but apparently harmless enough viral infection. I noticed it started with a bit of a sniffle, but within days I had vertigo so severe required a hospital stay for a few days.

During that time that I had a bit of hearing loss, but neither the doctors nor I were concerned. The general consensus was that it would fix itself with a few weeks.

However, a couple of months have now passed and instead of healing the reverse has happened. I have very little hearing left.

Maintaining contact with my doctor in the weeks that have passed, I was recently referred to an audiologist. I had never head of them before, but essentially they are a medical professional who specialises in identifying, diagnosing and treating hearing loss and hearing-related disorders. After some investigation, it appears the viral infection has damaged the nerves in my inner ear and that damage cannot be repaired.

The diagnosis was quite a shock! The hearing in my right ear is almost extinct, while in my left ear it has been substantially reduced.

I have been fast-tracked for hearing aids in the hope that some of my hearing can be restored. It’s hard to believe all of this has occurred in the space of two months.

I now have a new found respect for the little bugs in a viral infection, and I have learned how serious such an infection can be. I know now that if I ever again should pick up another infection, I will make sure I am nowhere near my grandchildren, or any other children for that matter, as I would not wish to spread something so intense.

As with everything in life there is an upside, now when my husband yells his customary hourly demands for a drink or food, I can claim to not hear him. I knew that this could all not be bad!

Have you had a viral infection that caused you irreparable damage? When was the last time you had your hearing checked?

Do you have a story to share with Starts at 60 or Travel at 60? Sign up as a contributor and submit your stories to here. If your story is published on our websites, you’ll go into the draw for some great weekly prizes. You can also join the Starts at 60 Bloggers Club on Facebook to talk to other writers in the Starts at 60 community and learn more about how to write for Starts at 60.