- Cholesteatoma
- Interviews
Katyyoung's interview
How did all start?
Constant ear infections, then one very long one, I lost my hearing in my left ear and continued with constant infection
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
It took me 5 years from my hearing loss to get a diagnosis
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Ear nose and throat
Otology
What have been your biggest difficulties?
After surgery, my hearing has got worse which is difficult as a parent to young children, I've also really struggled with balance and constant dizzy spells and unpredictable vertigo after surgery
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
A lot of confusion, theres very little information about cholesteatomas to go on, I was not given much information about anything I was simply told I had a growth and a disease in my middle ear, we had no idea how to react or what was happening
What things have you stopped doing?
I'm scared of going back to work as I am unreliable on my feet and keep falling over (after surgery)
Work was difficult before hand with pains from infections and hearing loss, now I'm worried it will be even harder, I dont take my kids out much anymore to busy places because I just can not hear them
What do you think about the future?
I'm not hopeful for my hearing to come back
And I am aware the chances of regrowth are pretty high, and that scares me a lot
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
My years being a mum, raising my kiddies has been a blessing, I just wish I could hear them clearer
Night time feeds where very hard, I was constantly worrying I wouldnt hear them cry while I slept, i had to adapt a lot of things to ensure i could
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Take my family somewhere like a theme park without the worry of all the different sounds just becoming one horrible noise that I cant filter through
Walking home from school and being able to have a conversation about my daughters day
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
My life is hectic, but amazing
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Dont panic for one
And please please keep bugging the doctors and the specialist to give you answers
I was ignored for 5 years being told it was "just an infection" causing all my issues with my ear, but it wasn't and I wish I had stood up for myself sooner and got the right treatment sooner
And good luck
