She only discovered that this was abnormal when she discussed it with her mother during her teenage years. Gemma spent the next 14 years trying to find an explanation for her condition, but despite being prescribed medications for nasal issues and blocked ears, she was unable to find any answers.
Eventually, she saw a specialist who diagnosed her with bilateral superior semicircular canal dehiscence, stating that she was missing a part of the temporal bone in both ear canals, affecting both her balance and hearing.
She underwent surgery on one ear and is waiting for surgery on the other. If successful, she will finally experience complete silence for the first time in her life. Describing her lifelong condition to others has been difficult because it’s rare and could sound unbelievable to some, told Daily Record.
Gemma stated that she’s always heard noises, including her heartbeat and the sound of her eyes moving. She has coped with the constant noise and dizziness as a working mother, refusing to let it dictate her life.
Her first surgery corrected the issue in her right ear, and she’s ready to undergo the second operation several months later, despite the risk of losing her hearing in her left ear. Gemma believes that this is a more undiagnosed condition than it is a rare one, and she hopes that more people can find help for it.