u/thewhitecascade

I have an acoustic neuroma and it is large enough that my only option is surgery. I currently have normal hearing in both ears, but following the surgery, the surgeon tells me I will be SSD in my left ear. I’m a bit worried about adjusting to SSD and the resulting change in quality of life.

I’m mostly worried about the loss of sound localization and the ability to detect where sounds are coming from. I’m also worried about not being able to understand people in loud environments.

I like to play immersive video games with headphones on and enjoy the surround sound. I also like to meditate with binaural beats. I also play music with friends and mix and record electronic music. I’m worried I won’t be able to pursue these hobbies anymore.

I’ve tried to plug up one of my ears to simulate what it’s going to be like and it’s depressing and difficult. I have 2-3 months left of normal hearing and I’m trying to make the most of it in what limited time I have left.

I’m not even sure what I’m trying to ask here. Perhaps advice, or just your experience. I’m just wondering what the adjustment experience is like for those who have undergone an abrupt change from normal hearing to SSD.

I won’t be eligible for cochlear implant as the cochlea/auditory nerve is not expected to make it.

This isn’t going to be a long post, but I think that descriptions of the demonstrative function paint it as being very strong, 4D, as if it is an actual strength.

I’m not seeing this reflected in reality. It’s almost as if there is something lacking. There is a resistance, dismissiveness, and critical view of this function by the user, both internally, and projected onto others.

What I don’t get is that it apparently can be skillfully used, but that is short lived and quite rare imho, with it mostly being dismissed, ignored, and not utilized, both internally oneself and for others. It just seems kind of lacking in reality compared to how it is described in theory.

What are your thoughts on all of this?

Long story short, I am going to have to undergo surgery that has an almost certainty of permanent hearing loss in one ear, resulting in single sided deafness and a loss of sound field awareness.

I’d like to spend my remaining time with two fully functioning ears doing things that I won’t be able to do after the surgery. I’m looking for ideas on this, and some of my thoughts include experiencing the real life sounds of nature, listening to audiophile approved record with amazing sound fields, etc.

Really, yall are the experts on this. I’m nervous about what life is going to be life without sound localization, but I have some time left to do some really cool stuff before then. Thanks.

I’m pumped. Just finished Remake last month, then Intermission, and I just finished the Rebirth demo yesterday after putting 15 hours into it. I’m super excited for the Switch release in 3 days.

I just stopped by Rocket Fizz on Wake Forest Rd earlier during the week during business hours and the store was locked with the lights off. I looked in the window and the store looked like it was in the middle of being packed up and emptied out.

Google still shows the location to be open.

Does anyone have any more info on this? And are there other recommended candy stores with a similar selection?