ICU – “I See You” Podcast
Hearing Loss
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This episode of the ICU Podcast addresses how hearing loss impacts people with vestibular conditions. It discusses silence, the kind that occurs when you lose your hearing. Whether it comes on suddenly or gradually, losing your hearing is a life-changing experience. It starts when you have to ask your friends and family to repeat what they just said. Eventually, you stop asking, and you begin to feel separate, apart, not included in the conversation. Although there is no cure for hearing loss, fortunately, there are very effective tools and treatments that can help people remain engaged with the hearing world around them.
Guests
Lynn Johnson‘s life became unbalanced in 2015. She had been feeling off, and out of the blue, woke up with an imbalance and loud tinnitus (ringing) in her right ear. As days passed, her symptoms continued to get worse. Five months and four doctors later, she was diagnosed with Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED) and Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction. Her symptoms include bilateral profound deafness, tinnitus, oscillopsia (jumping vision), and imbalance. Lynn says that if she had received the correct diagnosis at the beginning, there might have been a chance to save her hearing. Lynn is a VeDA Ambassador and co-leader of a support group for patients with vestibular disorders and hearing loss.
Dr. Molly Smeal is a clinical audiologist in the Head and Neck Section of the Integrated Surgical Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, and is an adjunct professor for the Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium. Dr. Smeal specializes in diagnostics and auditory implantable devices. She also participates in clinical research related to implantable devices. In her career, she has led and participated in several initiatives focused on clinical quality control. She is a published author and an invited presenter at national and international conferences. Dr. Smeal is currently a participant in the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.
HOSTS
Cynthia Ryan, Executive Director of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA)
Kimberly Warner, Founder and Director of Unfixed Media
This podcast is a co-production of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) and Unfixed Media.
Summmary
In this powerful episode of the ICU podcast, hosts Kimberly Warner and Cynthia Ryan explore the profound impact of hearing loss through a deeply personal conversation with Lynn Johnson, a former high school biology teacher, and Dr. Molly Schmeal, a clinical audiologist from Cleveland Clinic.
Lynn’s journey began in 2015 when she suddenly experienced hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance issues. Diagnosed with autoimmune inner ear disease, she progressively lost hearing in both ears over six years. Before her hearing loss, Lynn was a vibrant, social butterfly—an outgoing teacher who loved conversations and engaging with people. The sudden loss of hearing dramatically transformed her life, forcing her to adapt to a world of silence.
Dr. Schmeal explained the complexities of hearing loss, highlighting that it can occur suddenly or gradually. Sudden hearing loss often prompts quicker medical intervention, while gradual hearing loss might go unaddressed for years. She emphasized the importance of understanding a patient’s lifestyle when recommending treatments.
For Lynn, the cochlear implant became a life-changing solution. Describing it as a “miracle,” she explained how the device restored her ability to hear, enabling her to return to activities she loved, such as going to the movies, listening to music, and participating in conversations. She humorously refers to herself as “cyborg Lynn,” noting the external device that connects to a magnet implanted under her skin.
The podcast examined the emotional and practical challenges of living with hearing loss. Lynn shared her struggles with communication, describing how difficult it became to feel included in conversations. She learned to lip-read and developed coping mechanisms, but the sense of isolation was profound. Her advice to others facing hearing loss is deeply compassionate: be patient with yourself, nurture your soul, and don’t hesitate to seek support.
Dr. Schmeal provided technical insights into hearing loss treatments. She explained how hearing aids amplify sound, while cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the ear, sending electrical signals directly to the hearing nerve. She noted that insurance often covers cochlear implants more readily than hearing aids, which can influence patients’ decisions regarding treatment.
The conversation also addressed tinnitus, the persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears that often accompanies hearing loss. Dr. Schmeal explained that tinnitus occurs when the brain seeks sound stimulation, creating its noise in the absence of normal hearing. For Lynn, the cochlear implant helped reduce the intensity of her tinnitus, though it doesn’t eliminate it.
When discussing future treatments, Dr. Schmeal was cautiously optimistic about emerging research. While gene therapy and hair cell regeneration show promise, she advised patients not to delay current treatment options, waiting for a potential future cure.
Lynn’s resilience shines through her experience. She’s now an advocate for patients with hearing loss, co-leading a support group and encouraging others to find hope. Her message is powerful: hearing loss isn’t a death sentence, but a journey of adaptation and acceptance.
The podcast concludes with a message of hope for those experiencing hearing loss. Modern technology like cochlear implants can significantly improve quality of life, and support networks exist to help patients navigate their new reality. For those struggling with hearing loss, the key takeaways are clear: seek professional help, be patient with yourself, connect with support groups, and remember that technological advances are continually improving treatment options.
A full transcript is available on YouTube (scroll below the description and click “Show Transcript”).
