Ear Problem - Tumor?

[tedsingingfox]

Whoa, Ern!!Man, you're in my prayers. Keep us posted, and keep looking up.Ted

[squids]

Ern, sweepea, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I'm sure, especially as an engineer, this thing must seem like an avalanche.But if you'll allow me to make a couple of suggestions.....I work with folks who have tumors in all sorts of places. It's my day job now and while I enjoy it, I've learned a lot. So maybe you could take in some of what this ol gal can throw in the mix.1. Get another opinion. Just to be sure. Too often, I've seen people told something when there's an entirely different set of things happening in the background (radiologist disagreeing with doc's diagnosis, things like that) that we don't hear about. Another opinion from an entirely different clinic or hospital (reputable, natch) would only give you more information and knowledge is power at a time like this.2. It's possible you may simply have an osteoma. It's relatively easy to diagnose if it's visible in the ear but not if it's not, not many folks have it (I do) and it will screw up your hearing in the weirdest places (like it does mine, sigh). Anyway, it's actually a bone that grows inside your ear and distorts soundwaves going in as well as messes up how that info is received in your brain by pressing on various nerves leading out of our inner ear into our brain. Anyway, I've got one and while it's completely benign, it will mimic the same symptoms you're talking about. 3. An MRI of course will give you further ammo to see what's up so I'm for you having that.Anyway, you can PM me or email me, I'm all here foi ya.Your pal,Squids

[hummingbird]

Ern, I don't know if this will help you at all - and most of you won't know this, but I had a similar tumor discovered when I was 12 or 13. Upshot was they had to do surgery (much more invasive then) & they also removed the 3 bones behind the eardrum as they had been compromised by the tumor. So I have been deaf in one ear since then. Let me remind you, I have since become a fully trained singer, a well-respected voice teacher, and now composer producer with forwards/deals. I do have difficulty hearing in noisy places, and I have difficulty hearing quiet voices on my deaf side. I don't wear a hearing aid cause I hate them (and they cause build-ups/inflections in the ear). Figure I'll wait until ya'll are shoutin' at me, then I'll worry about it. I share this with you because, although it is a tough challenge to face what is in front of you, it need not impact your career at all. Be glad they have the technology to find & remove these things before they spread. However, I do agree you should get a second opinion before making a decision.sending you ((((hugs)))))Hummin'bird

[ernstinen]

Apr 23, 2008, 2:17pm, hummingbird wrote:Ern, I don't know if this will help you at all - and most of you won't know this, but I had a similar tumor discovered when I was 12 or 13. Upshot was they had to do surgery (much more invasive then) & they also removed the 3 bones behind the eardrum as they had been compromised by the tumor. So I have been deaf in one ear since then.Wow, Vickie, that's amazing! Thanks for telling me that ---I know that the reason Brian Wilson mixed the Beach Boys' tunes in Mono was because he was deaf in one ear. Rumor has it that his tyranical father used to "cuff him upside the head" when he was younger. Luckily, I never had that problem (or did I -- can't remember -- hmmmm ).The audiologist and doctors ALL asked me if I was a surfer, though. I kept saying 'No' and wonderin' why they'd ask that. They started talking about swimming in cold water, and a light bulb went on in my little pea brain --- I grew up swimming in Lake Michigan, and spent a lot of my summers in N. Minnesota, swimming for hours in cold water. REAL cold water, especially after a sauna. I've got some growths in the outer part of my left ear caused by that, probably. --- BUT, that doesn't have anything to do with a tumor, so that will be the focus for now.Thanks again for all your support, guys! Ern

[squids]

Swimming in cold water is one of the precursors to osteomas, Ern. They asked me that and I had to reply that I swam in the Mediterranean when I was a kid. They haven't taken mine out but they won't yet either, until it's a real bother. Other than the tendency to go flat a bit when I sing at the end of phrases, it doesn't really get in the way. Met plenty of hearing-impaired musicians in my time (and after awhile, isn't everyone? Especially if they grew up in our day with stacks taller than the average building!).

[cyndy]

Hey Ern,I'm praying for you.And I want to encourage you to expect the best... not the worst!

[silvercord]

Hey Ern,,, just read this thread for the 1st time...man...i dont know what to saybut please know im wishing you light fast healing, bro

[mazz]

Man, I pray that the MRI turns up nothing or at least something minor. I can't imagine what's going through your mind right now but all you can do is breathe deeply and stay quiet until you know more. House Ear is well known in the business and you're in good hands.I worked with two very creative musicians in my life who both had to deal with hearing loss in one ear from childhood. As well as they were able to cope, I hope that you don't have to deal with it.My thoughts and prayers are with you!Mazz

[solrax]

Sorry to hear this Ern, make sure you keep us posted on how things are going. As everyone else said think positive. The way I see it, and I only hope this makes sense, is that you have a 50/50 chance that it is or isn't. If it is than you have a 50/50 of losing hearing in that ear. So I think that the chances are in your favor. You flip 2 coins and hope they both land on "heads", even If one lands on "tails" the other might land on "heads".I'll keep you in my prayers.If there is anything I can do to help, just PM me and ask. I'll do everything within my reach to help!

[sgs4u]

ah, shit man sorry to hear of your loss You know it's going to work itself out, you'll be fine. And you used to play loud, for a lotta years too, right? You survived that! And, I bet you still have that nice strat hiding in the closet, don't cha... And orchestras in Europe are playing/recording your compositions... life must be pretty good, besides the neighbor?steve