Hello Doctor,
I had mumps when I was 7 years old, and I’m now 52. I was told I’m deaf in one ear and that the nerve was damaged, with nothing that could be done. It’s been 45 years since then, so I’m wondering if there’s any chance of something being done now, like surgery or treatment? I find it hard to get a GP appointment and then see a specialist, so I just need a straightforward yes or no answer. Can anything be done at this point?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
1. If your hearing was normal before the age of 7, a cochlear implant could be a viable option for you. This treatment might help restore some hearing, depending on the condition of the nerve and other factors.
2. However, it’s important to have an evaluation by an ENT specialist to determine if you’re a suitable candidate. While I can’t provide a definitive answer without an assessment, a cochlear implant is often a good option for individuals with long-term hearing loss due to nerve damage.
Thanks
