Q: I can't hear from my right ear since birth. I went to a ENT doctor many years back who said that nothing can be done. I am 30 years old now. I have noticed that while listening to a walkman, if I close my left ear with my hand (through which I can hear normally) and keep the volume high on the right ear and concentrate, I can hear the songs in my head through the right ear also. Is this an indication that the hearing in the right ear can be restored? Will there be a problem in the long run since I have one normal hearing ear? Do I need to take any special precaution for the left ear?

A:Yes, you have to be very careful of the other hearing ear. You have to keep away from loud noises. Avoid using drugs that harm the ear. Avoid trauma to the normal ear. Avoid putting oil or soap in the normal ear. You have to remember to visit your doctor every year to check the hearing in the normal ear. You have to understand that the normal ear now needs more care, so take precautions.