article_snippet.sent: A few years ago I started losing my sense of balance and developed tinnitus
article_snippet.sent: Apparently, it's the same thing that can happen after a stroke.
article_snippet.sent: I'd lost the hearing in my left ear as well as my sense of taste, and my mouth became dry.
article_snippet.sent: Eating and speaking were difficult - and, worst of all, my left eye was permanently open and I couldn't even blink with my left eye.
article_snippet.sent: my left eye was dry and painful.
article_snippet.sent: I'd been told that about half those with the condition do improve, so
article_snippet.sent: I tried lots of things to improve the muscle tone, including facial massages, taught by a physiotherapist.
article_snippet.sent: I also had electric impulse therapy to shock the muscles back to life.