health
March 11, 2026
A moment that changed me: I was planning to be a musician
Until that point, all my life’s dreams revolved around becoming a saxophonist. But with sudden and significant hearing loss, I had to face up to a new reality
TL;DR
- The author experienced sudden static and whooshing sounds in her left ear after a doctor's visit to have her ears syringed.
- The hearing problems worsened, making her saxophone playing unbearable and derailing her dreams of becoming a professional musician.
- An ENT specialist diagnosed degenerative hearing loss, dismissing the syringing as a coincidence, but a second opinion confirmed the syringing likely caused the damage.
- She completed her music degree despite the discomfort but stopped playing music afterwards.
- She found new creative outlets in writing and launched an online magazine, Ramona, eventually learning to enjoy concerts with ear protection.
- Ear syringing is no longer recommended due to high risks, and her tinnitus serves as a stress barometer.
- After 15 years, she can now enjoy music as an audience member, appreciating it as a source of joy rather than a painful reminder of her lost dream.
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