Finding Clarity After a Lifetime of Hearing Loss

For 55-year-old Renee, of Corona, hearing loss began long before adulthood. “When I was about 9 or 11, I started having ear infections and trouble hearing,” she said. “My balance was off, I could not understand people, and I was always asking them to repeat themselves.”

As a child, Renee did not know she was dealing with more than routine infections. “I was always the sick kid,” she said. “I missed school a lot, and no one really knew why.”

The infections worsened over time, damaging her ears and affecting her hearing and balance. She underwent multiple ear surgeries to repair ruptured eardrums and remove infected tissue. In 2007, a severe ear infection spread to her brain, causing a seizure and leaving her hospitalized for weeks.

“I was terrified,” she said. “That was when I realized how serious my condition really was.”

In 2011, after extensive testing, Renee was diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency, a condition in which the body does not produce enough antibodies to fight infections, and began IVIG therapy, or intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. IVIG uses donated antibodies from healthy individuals to help strengthen the immune system and prevent infections. “Once I started IVIG, the severity of my infections dropped dramatically,” she said.

Although the infections improved, her hearing loss remained. Traditional hearing aids were not an option because they increased the risk of infection. Over time, her hearing continued to decline, especially on her right side.

Over the years, she was seen by John House MD, and was later referred to Kevin Peng MD, both neurotologists at PIH Health House Clinic. Dr. House and Dr. Peng specialize in complex ear and hearing disorders, including Renee’s condition. “Renee’s medical history made her a challenging case,” said Dr. Peng. “But with implantable hearing technology, we were able to restore sound without placing anything in the ear canal, which reduced her risk of infection and improved her hearing significantly.”

After receiving bilateral Oticon Sentio implants and later having the devices activated and programmed, Renee noticed an immediate difference. “The clarity was unbelievable,” she said. “I went to a concert for the first time in 15 years and could enjoy the music. I could feel the bass. I could hear everything.”

Today, Renee says the change has been life-altering. “You do not realize how much you are struggling until you are not anymore,” she said. “I can hear the television, have conversations, and enjoy music again. I truly cannot imagine my life without this clarity.”

For more information go to PIHHealth.org/HouseClinic