"Courtney, you saved my life!"

Those are the words Doctor Courtney Sterk hears every time I visit her office. What? A hearing doctor saved someone's life? This is reminiscent of the Seinfeld sitcom episode where Jerry, during dinner, accuses Marcia Cross, playing a life saving dermatologist, as "... just a pimple popper!" Immediately, a patient walks up and says, "... thank you again for saving my life." (Skincancer!)

My episode begins when I experienced an extremely loud noise that caused immediate additional damage to my already poor hearing (noise-induced hearing loss). I was literally in a stunned, confused state for several hours. Fortunately, I had a recent hearing test at Dr. Sterk's office
which was conducted when I bought a new hearing aid. She performed another hearing test which confirmed 15% hearing loss in the left ear and
5% loss in the other ear. Courtney adjusted my hearing aids for the new level of loss with perfect results on the first adjustment. Based on that
level of hearing loss, my insurance company paid for the hearing test. Thus, I learned a good reason to have a current hearing test on file!

Courtney recommended that I see a specialist. I thought that would be a waste of time. The specialist in turn recommended an MRI. I thought that too would be a waste of time. While the MRI found nothing to help my hearing, the MRI revealed a dangerously large brain aneurysm. Just months before my wife and I lost two friends to burst aneurysms. The brain surgeon told me that it was likely that the aneurysm would burst within the next five years resulting in death. I opted for brain surgery which involved aneurysm coiling; plus, one stent. The complex procedure
required only an overnight stay with minor discomforts. I am now "100% good-to-go" according to my surgeon.

Yes, "Courtney, you saved my life!"

Steve

Hello Audiology Concepts,

I was much too young (52) to start losing my hearing, but unfortunately that is what was happening.  I covered up as much as possilbe until the day a waitress asked me what my lovely perfume was, and I answered "diet coke with lime". I thought she aasked what I wanted to drink. The words didn't even rhyme but she had a soft voice and I couldn't read her lips. Laughter followed!   I got into Paula's office the next week and I didnt want to miss out on life. Babar the elephant, of  children's book fame, listes his favorite possessions as his clown suit and his violin. I list mine as my two hearing aids. I've encouraged many people with hearing loss to give them a try and to continue to enjoy their beautiful lives without missing a single word.

Judith

Hello Audiology Concepts,

My story is a simple one, but to Dr. Schwartz, was a chance to a life.

For most of my life, I can remember having a small hearing problem. Not completely deaf, just "different". Having mumps as a child and serious ear infections at the time, may have been the cause.
I lived 44 years with that, and never thought twice. I am an avid sports enthusiast. Both competing and watching. I still play rugby, volleyball and softball, with hunting and fishing thrown in. Basically your average Minnesota man. Oh yes, and I'm a lead singer in a local band. I'm a husband and father of two great kids. Through the last 17 years of marriage, my wife has joked with others that I had a "selective hearing loss" when it was convenient for me not to listen to her. Funny, but somewhat true. Now here is when it all changed. One day, I was in our kitchen, when my wife came downstairs and yelled, "Can't you hear him?" It was our 5 year old son, outside in the garage, screaming for me to come out. No danger, he just wanted me to play. My wife was frightened to death that it could have been something serious. She then asked, no, she told me to get my ears checked. So, with a quick trip to the doctor and a simple referral, I found myself in Dr. Schwartz's office in Edina. She sat me down and talked with me. Wanting to know "me" first. The questions she asked, and most of all, the answers she had for my questions, started to make this problem seem very minor, and very correctable, but most of all, very common. As a 44 year old man, I wasn't ready to accept the truth that I am in need of hearing aids, and that my father at 72, was fine! Through our talk, Dr. Shwartz was amazed that as a singer in a band, for almost 12 years, and that I never realized the issue I had with my hearing. My problem wasn't being "deaf", is was a pitch/tone problem. You see, when everyone listens to a set of drums play, they hear the "boom" of a drum, and the "ting" of a symbol. When I hear that, all I hear is the "boom" and a "thump". No high tones, thus my wanting to listen to things loudly, and with high treble. With her testing completed and her explanation of my individual hearing loss, she then went on to give me options. In today's technology, the hearing devices are so small and comfortable, it changed my entire perspective. The bulky, ear bending hearing aids of my grandfather, were not needed. In turn, a small, lightweight device, the same color as my hair, was offered for a test run. We put them on, set the levels, and the it happened... I said to Dr. Schwartz, "Hey, there's a fan blowing isn't there? And the wind is blowing outside, isn't it? There are cars out there as well." I could here the people down the hallway.

With a big smile and thanks, I left her office. Outside, I was overwhelmed by the sounds of life I was missing. Right away, the radio in my car was crisp and bright. (I needed to adjust the volume down as well) I met up with friends that afternoon, who never once noticed the tiny wire coming from my ear, but did notice I was speaking much softer, and wasn't "leaning in" to listen when they talked. My wife, never noticed them it till I pulled them out. She was amazed and very happy for me. I now could hear "surround sound speakers! That was the kicker. Every other month or so, I returned to Dr. Schwartz, was adjusted, and soon was at full hearing levels.

It's been two years. Two wonderful years of sounds I was missing my entire life. Music is something I love, and now I am actually hearing it. Hearing the wind blow and birds chirp when hunting is awesome. The Orpheum shows my wife and I attend are now enjoyed at an entirely different level. The hearing aids are simple, and become a part of your daily routine, the same with glasses or shoes. You take them off to sleep, to swim, or to wrestle with the kids. But m ostly they are in, and I never notice it. The reaction I get from family and friends has never been anything less than asupportive smile and comments of "good for you to do that for yourself".

Thank you to Dr. Shwartz and the entire staff. I'm not wanting this to be corny, but it has changed my life. And my wife has never sounded so sweet (Incase she reads this).

Sincerely,

Floyd, Burnsville

PS! Dr. Sterk and the new Burnsville office are great.