Actually,
@Mpt: He did wear maskers. Every day, in both ears. But his story is not a sad one, at least not for me. Meeting him was one of the most inspirational things that ever happened to me and started me on the road to learning to live with my tinnitus.
Dr. B is a very well-known medical school professor here in Florida, and the go-to person in the state for inner ear surgery. He also travels to third world countries as a volunteer, to do complicated surgeries for the poorest of the poor. I had a consultation with him (he lives about five hours from me) during the time I was seeking answers about my tinnitus cause and possible treatments. It was about two months into my tinnitus. I still was having major anxiety attacks and was in deep despair, thinking I would never have a normal life, would have to quit my job, etc.
Although he was very busy and ultimately could offer no surgical solutions for my tinnitus, Dr. B was very kind. He spent almost two hours with me while the patients piled up in his waiting room. He was the first doctor to really listen to me on my tinnitus journey, and answered all of my questions patiently.
At one point, I began to cry and told him I feared my life was over. He assured me this was not true. He then pointed to his own ears and smiled. "I have been talking to you for a long time now. Haven't you noticed these things in my ears?" he asked. I had not, I said.
Dr. B told he wore hearing aids/maskers in both ears, all the time. He had tinnitus himself, he said -- had it for a long time and had hearing loss to go with it. He did not explain how he got his tinnitus but did talk about masking and other things that helped him. He was the first doctor to suggest I not stop working, if possible -- that having a purpose, and living the life you wanted was the best medicine, he said. Dr. B told me repeatedly I would get better and should not give up. It's hard to describe what an amazing and emotional experience it was. My husband and I held each other and sobbed after we left his office.
I think of Dr. B whenever I have a down day and remind myself that this man, with tinnitus in both ears, continues to do very complex medical procedures and travel the world helping others. I never will forget him and say a silent prayer of gratitude when I think of him.
Sorry for such a long story.