Sudden health complications can produce a strain on relationships, with one partner being relied upon for emotional support which can be draining for them. Fortunately/unfortunately I met my partner during a time when I was experiencing extreme stress and mental ill health, which later developed into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The past few months, prior to me developing the hearing loss, had been a time of contentment, and dare I say it happiness. This is, in part, why this has been so distressing for me - I was happy and clapping my hands. His support through the whole experience has been Herculean. He has been my rock throughout, so it's only fitting that he was part of the most amazing news I received for the best part of two weeks.
I'd not heard a single external sound through my right ear (obviously excluding the internal tinnitus) for ten days. We were spending the evening together at my flat, watching TV with my head laid on his chest. This was something I had always enjoyed as the sound of his heartbeat had always comforted me. As we were watching TV I had to lay with my deaf ear against his chest, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to listen to the programme. Very faintly, I wasn't even sure it was really there, I thought I could hear the familiar thud of a rhythmic beat. I asked him to turn down the TV, and sure enough, it was there - very, very quiet but unequivocally there.
I began to cry, not just because that was the first sound that I had heard in ten days, but also because the sound of my boyfriend's heart had filled mine with hope.
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