Sudden Hearing Loss
By Ellen Mc Laughlin

Sudden Hearing Loss

While any type of hearing loss is difficult to deal with, sudden hearing loss may be the most terrifying and difficult. To be hearing normally one moment and then faced with sudden loss of hearing in one or both ears is truly a terrifying experience for those suffering from such a loss. Often, the affected individual may have no previous experience with hearing loss and the sudden loss of hearing causes tremendous difficulty  in all aspects of daily life.

Sudden hearing loss may occur all at once or over a period of several hours or days, depending on the cause, and rarely involves both ears. The affected person will often experience dizziness before and after the sudden hearing loss, as well as tinnitus, or “ringing in the ears.” It is vitally important that those who experience sudden hearing loss be seen by an ear, nose and throat specialist within twenty four to forty-eight hours after the onset of the sudden hearing loss, and it should be considered a medical emergency.

There are many causes of sudden hearing loss. A leak of the inner ear fluid is a primary cause, along with ear tumors and a blockage of the blood supply to the inner ear. These are all, obviously, quite serious, and the sudden loss of hearing they cause may actually help diagnose them

before they become even more dangerous. Often these causes can be successfully treated, and hearing restored. Some loss of hearing after treatment may continue, however.

Other causes of sudden hearing loss include air travel and scuba diving, which both involve sudden changes of air pressure in the ear, medicines such as aspirin, certain antibiotics, and birth control pills, upper respiratory infections, an unusual physical strain or heavy physical activity, previous ear surgery, and sudden trauma such as exposure to sudden and extremely loud noises at very close range. The hearing mechanism is actually quite delicate, and any change in ear pressure may potentially cause a sudden loss of hearing.

An ear, nose and throat specialist will try to determine the cause of the sudden hearing loss before attempting any treatment beyond any necessary medical emergency treatment. A complete physical examination and medical history, along with questions as to recent activity and medical conditions, often helps to pinpoint the cause of the sudden loss of hearing. In most cases, the earlier the cause is discovered and treatment started, the more likely the person is to recover from the sudden hearing loss.

In some cases, however, the cause, or “etiology”, of the sudden hearing loss is never discovered. If treatment is not successful, the person suffering from such a sudden loss of hearing may have to become accustomed to functioning with such a hearing loss.

Ellen Mc Laughlin is a prolific writer and has been active in the field of sudden hearing loss for many years.