United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I just found out I have 35% hearing loss on my OBPI side. the other ear is normal in hearing. Any chance it could be related to the BPI? Has anyone else ever had this problem?
Thanks
Pat

Not likely, as the nerves that deal with hearing are in the brain and not related to the brachial plexus nerves, which are in the neck/C-Spine from C5-6-7-T1.

Hearing loss can be from nerve damage (to the 8th cranial nerve) OR from damage to the auditory canal (either scarring on the eardrum, damage to the small bones that vibrate and conduct sound...).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestibulocochlear_nerve

Have you always had this do you know?

I don't really know. I think I have shied away from everything on the Erb's side--but for years have had people walk on the other side because I can't hear them.
I never paid a lot of attention--but since I found out about the hearing loss have noticed that I miss a lot of the conversations and don't hear the beginnings of conversations on TV--or unless I am watching someones face, can't always distinguish words.
Just wonder if the Dr. did something else other than the injury to the BP. Why that ear?

Pat
I had a hearing test a few years back and then had to go for an MRI with contrast. The doctor said the asymmetry of my hearing was off. I have one side of my entire body smaller than the other. He thought that was a sign of tumor at the base of my brain... I'm fine but one ear is smaller and my ear canal is smaller. The doctor could not figure that out because he explained to me that brachial plexus injury on affects the arm.... DUH...

I have people walk on my left side because I push them off the sidewalk if they are on my right. I think that is a lack of body boundary and I find turning my head to the right uncomfortable, my neck hurts.

I have no hearing loss. I have c4,5,6,7 and T 1 injury... wonder if that i why?

Kath robpi/adult

The ENT looked for a tumor--I had a brain MRI last year but there is nothing there. Even though we see the visable injury that is evident with the BPI, who is to say that the Dr. didn't do other things to get us out--forcepts on the side of the head or something. I'm not ruling out a Dr. thing
I am going to see a plastic/ortho guy later this month about the good arm. It's going numb whenever I use it--or not. I don't think it is carpl tunnel as it is the middle,ring, pinkin and the palm as well as a lot of forearm selling and tenderness.
Getting old in so NOT fun!!!!

Well it's not about my ears but my eyes. When I was 9 my left eye (i've got a left arm BPI) suddenly became strongly short-sighted. Nothing with my right eye. Nobody managed to explain that. Later i realized it happened just after the death of my grandfather. Still, it was strange that is was on my left side.

I don't know what it is for you, but i suspect it has something to do with "body image". It seems i am more conscious of my right side. Not to mentin that everytime i get hurt, have bruises, or get burnt, it is always on my left side. So maybe it's all about how you unconsciously consider that side of your body.

Also in dance classes, i realized i could easily do stuff with my right side (moves and legs), but i could not do the same movements afterwards with my left side.

Later my chiro explained that, since i could not walk on all fours when i was a infant, i had a coordination problem between my right side and my left side.

I know i'm not giving you a clear answer, but i hope i gave you *some* answers.

I never crawled on all fours. My mom says I rolled all over the house. I guess one time I rolled under a bed and had the whole town searching for me. I had fallen asleep.
I started an exercise class and the manager just couldn't get that I cannot do some of the exercises the way they want them done. I almost yelled at her. " I can't reach"
Are disabilities so hidden that noone has any idea that some of us have limitations? She just honestly didn't get it.
She also didn't care to be educated---so.....

Dina & Pat,
Both of you cleared up something for me:
It makes sense that we adult OBPI's with balance problems have it related to not crawling on all fours as an infant...basic to motor delevelopement I believe.

Yes eye & hearing problems on our BPI side is common among us and also makes sense too, as being related to our BPI's. No one mentions it hapening on the other "unaffected side".

This thread topic is going on my Collection List of Secondary Injuries folder.

Hugs,
Carolyn J


Message was edited by: Carolyn J