Psoriatic Woes: Do You Mind Repeating Yourself?

I have had psoriasis since 1996, partnered with psoriatic arthritis.

Recently, I've attended my niece's wedding. My daughter is a junior flower girl and I am looking forward to taking my mind off things. This is my first happy occasion I am able to attend after my husband passed away in February. Little did I know that it would reveal my deafness.

Noticing the hearing loss

Here comes the bride! Oh, she looks so beautiful! I started noticing that I was having a hard time hearing the ceremony. Wow, is it that windy? There is a hot breeze blowing. I have decided to blame the outdoor ceremony and outside noises.

The next day, after a great breakfast with family, we begin packing up the cars. My oldest comes back rather quickly and taps me on the shoulder, “Mom, we have a problem. The keys are in the car and the car is running.” Sure, enough car has been on some 2 hours, locked, with the keys inside. I am now in shock.

My sister turns to me and says, "Can’t you hear the radio?" I looked at her and shook my head no. This was a moment in my life that grabbed my attention. Why didn’t I hear the ding from the car? Why can’t I hear the radio that everyone is saying I left on? I am trying not to panic but I am inside.

Seeing a doctor for hearing loss

My physician decides that my recent hearing loss is worrisome and I should see a specialist. “Melissa, when did you first notice that you weren’t hearing?” “Doctor, I know when I was twelve, I failed one of those hearing things at school. I had to go to the school of the Deaf for a hearing test. The audiologist talked to my dad.

At that time they told him I needed another test but that it wouldn’t be covered by insurance. I never went back. They told dad I had a severe infection.” Doctor looked at me and nodded. He walked in front of me put his hand on my shoulder and sat down across from me. “Melissa, this is the first time I talked out loud to you.” I am completely puzzled.

What does he mean? He just asked me all these questions. Did we not just have a conversation? He tapped my shoulder again. “You have gotten really great at reading lips. I want to give you a hearing test. I think you have some significant loss of hearing.”

The impact of hearing aids

Within a month I had my final fitting for my hearing aids. I walked out into the parking lot and heard traffic, birds, and dogs being trained in the sheriff’s facility across from the hearing aid place. I felt so shocked. Was that real birds above me? 

Doc said this was going to happen. Driving home with the window down so I can hear never felt so wonderful. I am amazed at the sound of cars. The wind blowing as I drive is like a song. I pull into my driveway and there are my three kids playing on the side of the house. My excitement to see them is all over my face.

“Hi, Mommy!” My youngest says. I can hear the childlike sweet sound of her voice. I mean I can really hear it! “Hi mom, the other two say”. I can’t hold in the tears. My oldest becoming a man with a changing voice. The middle one is so innocent-sounding.

I break into tears. Crying. I mean like I am ugly crying in my driveway and the neighbors are all starting to stare. I tell my neighbors about my hearing aids and how this is the first time I have truly heard the kid’s voices. Now everyone is crying.

Connecting the hearing loss for psoriatic arthritis

It is a learning curve to use the aids. A few hours in a day is almost overwhelming. The process is tiring. I enjoy my quiet time without my aids.

It does not surprise my physician or me that psoriatic disease is linked to deafness and hearing loss. The itching we feel in our ear canal is often the dryness from plaques. The itching can cause us to scrap the canal or even pierce the drum.

The fact that people have the same dry flakes fall into the canal and lay against your eardrum does not help. My doctor actually vacuums my ears to take the flakes out. I trust him because he knows how much what little hearing I have left and how I want to preserve it. The safety of removal is important.

My advice to you is if you think you are experiencing an ear infection or strange symptom, check on it. While losing your hearing is difficult, but catching it is the key. Don’t ignore your hearing. It is not the end of the world for me. Be safe and respect your hearing.