I finally decided to make an appointment at my home hospital audiology clinic to have my hearing tested. After suffering from diminished hearing, periods of almost total hearing loss, dizziness, nausea and tinnitus since December 1999 I figured maybe, just maybe, I would be able to get some sort of official diagnosis. The appointment was today. I actually got a verdict! According to the audiologist I have significant hearing loss. She also stated, “that in view of the finding of a unilateral high frequency hearing loss in conjunction with episodes of dizziness, nausea, increased tinnitus and fluctuating hearing sensitivity, evaluation by an ENT is required.”

So now I have validation of one of my symptoms. This fills me with great joy! I pondered that for a time – how can learning that I have significant hearing loss actually fill me with joy? Then I realized that the reason I am joyful is because one of my symptoms has finally been validated!