"Unhappy experience in the ENT department."

I saw a ENT consultant following an increasing deafness which began quite suddenly, last year. Initially I was told that "a brain tumour cannot be ruled out although it is rare." I was very upset by this news since I am only just recovering from treatment for breast cancer.

I wrote to the consultant to explain how their words had made me feel, not as a complaint but to assist them with future patients who may be in a similar situation. The consultant did not respond, not even verbally when I next saw them.

I was subsequently sent for an MRI which was clear. The consultant said that nothing showed up in my MRI and so my deafness is a "natural consequence of aging and there is no available treatment."

I do not accept this and I will seek a second opinion. My symptoms suggest a ETD and I know, because I have researched, that there definitely are a number of different treatment options for me to consider.

I felt the consultant was disengaged from me as a patient and seemed jaded and disinterested.

It was a most disappointing experience and if anyone reading this has a ETD then you know how depressing it can be. I felt pretty disregarded as a person.