We both need to use our brain’s processing power more than those with typical hearing or sight. If the lighting is poor or the room is crowded, Dana must be very focused on what she’s doing or else she’ll bump into things. For me, when there’s a lot of ambient noise I too have to be very focused to understand what people are saying.
Moving on From Ménière's
About eight years ago when I was 46, a few days after having a very stressful cataract surgery, I started to trip over my own feet. My balance has never been very good, but this was out of the ordinary, even for me. I had to ask my husband to come home from work to take care of our 8-year-old son. After the attack passed, I noticed that I wasn't hearing very well out of my right ear. I went to the doctor, who thought it was a sinus infection and gave me an antibiotic.
You Are a Masterpiece
This retinal eye specialist—who was the first person to utter, “You have Usher syndrome” to me—had the worst bedside manner. Immediately after I left his office I cried—a lot—but then regained my composure and made a few calls to see a second retinal eye specialist doctor for a second opinion.