Virus leaves woman with a future of hearing difficulties
It was during her early 30s that Marese Pitman was struck down with a virus that, combined with otosclerosis, left her with damaged nerves and progressively worsening hearing loss in both ears. Twenty years later, Marese, now 53 and living in Poole, has also started to experience tinnitus, but while this has been difficult to manage, she is feeling more positive following a recent visit to an ENT specialist.
Although Marese, originally from South Africa, has worn two hearing aids for many years now and suffers with a 70-90 decibel loss in both ears, she certainly hasn’t let her hearing problems get in her way. “I’m a nurse and have recently become a director of a group of care homes,” Marese explains. “I don’t want to be seen as disabled and have coped very well with hearing loss as it’s become progressively worse over the years. It is the tinnitus I am finding more of a struggle to manage with. I find it is like a permanent reminder that something is wrong.”
It was only earlier this year that Marese started suffering with the additional blight of tinnitus and has found the condition difficult to come to terms with. She said: “When I was first diagnosed with my hearing loss I suffered with depression as a result; the recent onset of tinnitus left me feeling a little low again and concerned for what my hearing will be like in the future. This is why I am so passionate about research and helping to promote the valuable work Deafness Research UK do.
“I have always been actively involved in helping people with hearing problems. In South Africa I set up and ran a support group called ‘ear to ear’ as there was little in the way of help and support for people. I have found that since coming to the UK six years ago, the advice and support here is so much more accessible and I believe charities like Deafness Research UK are a large part of that.”
A recent visit to an ENT specialist has left Marese feeling much more upbeat. “The treatment here in the UK is also so much better than anything in South Africa, where you also all have to pay for treatment yourself. At my recent visit to the specialist I was given some hope and am now undergoing tests to see if an operation could help with my hearing loss. I know I will always have to wear hearing aids and my Audiologist has suggested learning to lip read or sign language. My family are a huge support, they have even offered to start learn sign language with me as my hearing is deteriorating so much, but I’m not ready for that yet.”
Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK, said: “Hearing loss can have a dramatic and devastating effect on people’s lives and Marese was left facing a future of progressively worsening problems at a young age. Unexpected and sudden onset of tinnitus gave her yet another challenge and we’re pleased she found our website useful when she needed somewhere to turn. While Deafness Research UK is passionate about research and finding new cures and treatments, we are also here to offer help, support and practical information to people faced with the challenges hearing loss and tinnitus brings.”
