Imagine waking up to discover that your hearing is significantly worse than when you went to bed. Unfortunately, for some people, this is reality. The condition is known as sudden deafness. In this article, we’ll explore what sudden deafness is, how to recognize it, its common causes, and what treatment options are.
What is Sudden Deafness (Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss)?
Sudden deafness, also known by the more scientific name Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL), is a type of hearing loss that occurs rapidly. It can happen all at once or over a period of up to 72 hours. As you can imagine, SSHL is quite distressing to those who experience it.
The condition typically only impacts one ear but results in a dramatic loss of hearing. It’s defined as 30 decibels or more of hearing loss. That’s enough to make a normal conversation sound like a whisper. SSHL affects the inner ear or its nerve pathways. Because prompt treatment is important to outcomes, sudden deafness is considered a medical emergency.
How Do I Know If I Have Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
Since SSHL is considered a medical emergency, you’ll want to know if you have it so you can seek treatment as promptly as possible. Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for:
- Sudden hearing loss in one ear
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Ringing or buzzing in the ear
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments
- The perception that sounds are muffled or far away
If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Waiting to see if it improves without help can reduce the chances of full recovery.
Common Causes of Sudden Deafness in One Ear
The exact causes of SSHL are often unknown, but some common causes have been identified. Even if your audiologist doesn’t know the exact cause, they can still treat the condition.
- Viral infections: Some viruses can affect the inner ear or the hearing nerve.
- Circulatory problems: Reduced blood flow to the inner ear can cause sudden hearing loss.
- Neurological disorders: Disorders of the brain or nerves can lead to SSHL.
- Autoimmune diseases: These can cause the immune system to mistakenly attack the inner ear.
- Head trauma: Injuries to the head can sometimes cause sudden hearing loss.
- Ototoxic medications: Some drugs have the side effect of damaging the inner ear.
- Acoustic neuroma: This is a benign tumor on the nerve that controls balance and hearing.
- Meniere’s disease: This inner ear disorder occasionally causes sudden hearing loss.
Treatment Options for Sudden Deafness
With prompt attention, your audiologist can treat sudden deafness. Below are some of the options they may recommend:
- Corticosteroids: These reduce inflammation and swelling in the ear. They may be given orally or injected directly into the middle ear.
- Antiviral medications: If your audiologist suspects a virus might cause SSHL, they’ll prescribe medication to clear the virus.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: This treatment involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment to get more vital oxygen to the ear.
- Hearing aids: If your hearing doesn’t fully recover, hearing aids may be recommended to restore your quality of life.
- Cochlear implants: If your hearing loss is irreversible and too profound for hearing aids to help, cochlear implants may be an option.
Consult an Audiologist About Your SSHL Today
If you suspect you have SSHL, contact an audiologist now. Getting early treatment is the best way to ensure your hearing loss isn’t permanent. The expert audiologists at Metro Hearing can accurately assess your hearing and suggest the most effective treatment plan. Contact us today.
Image Credit: Herlanzer, Shutterstock
