Sudden Hearing Loss Causes And Symptoms Treatments
What You Need To Know About
Sudden Hearing Loss Or SSHL
Does this sound familiar?
“Suddenly couldn’t hear on my right ear any more. I feel pressure and ringing in my ear.”
“I suddenly lost hearing in my right ear. For no apparent reason.”
It is scary to wake up in the morning and not be able to hear out of one ear, but it happens every day around the world with a medical condition called sudden senorineural hearing loss, or sudden deafness. However, this is a misnomer, because the auditory nerve is almost never the cause. The problem is usually in the hair cells of the cochlea. SSHL is the shortened abbreviation, and according to the NIDCD approximately 4,000 new cases of SSHL occur in the USA each year. The prognosis is excellent as most people will experience a spontaneous recovery without medical intervention, often within the first 3 days.
In some cases it will be a slower recovery over a week or more. Unfortunately, for about 15 percent of those with SSHL their hearing loss that will get progressively worse over time. Sudden hearing loss is a very problematical disorder because of the fact that it can affect each person differently, the causes are vast, and characteristics of SSHL make it hard to predict, when or if at all a person’s hearing will get better, go up or down or gradually deteriorate. There is no set course of treatment that will work on everyone. A doctor will need to base his diagnosis based on your medical history, and his physical findings.
SSHL and can happen to anyone. People of all age groups can be affected by sudden hearing loss. However, it does seem to occur more in the median age group of 30-50 years of age, and is equally divided by both men and women. The pattern of onset of SSHL finding is consistent with most cases of sudden hearing loss occurring abruptly or roughly over a 3 day time span. Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older Americans, after hypertension and arthritis1; between 20% and 45% of the population of the median age of sixty five is hearing impaired. Hearing loss of any kind can have significant effects on their physical and mental health. Sudden hearing loss does not cause pain, but the emotional impact can be far reaching affecting home life, work, and the emotional well-being of the person suffering from SSHL. It is common for people with a hearing loss to find communicating with others more difficult and tiring, leading to frustration and anger. This can lead to a downward spiral and feelings and threaten the emotional well –being of the individual.
“I found it difficult to adapt socially with my new predicament.”
“I am profoundly deaf in my right ear with severe in the left and suffer from constant ringing in the ears. Phone conversations can be difficult due to my inability to be able to communicate effectively.”
Reactions To Sudden Hearing Lose:
- Insecurity
- Loneliness
- Embarrassment
- Loneliness
- Stress
- Isolation
- Frustration
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty in social situations
CAUSES Of SUDDEN HEARING LOSS
Over a 100 possible causes can be sited for the causes of sudden hearing loss; it is rare for a specific cause to be precisely identified. The number shows that only 10 to 15 percent of patients with SSHL know what caused their loss. The greatest number of ISSHL cases can be very frustrating for doctors as the cause is idiopathic or unknown.
Possible causes include the following:
COMMON REASONS
- Ear Wax Impaction
- Chronic supurative otitis media Ear Infections
- Sinus Blockage
- Insects In Ears
- Nerve Damage CONGENITAL
- Rubella Syndrome
- Congenital Atresia Of The External Auditory Canal
- Congenital Cytomegalovirus
- Congenital Perilymphatic Fistula
- Fetal Methyl Mercury Effects
- Fetal Iodine Deficiency Effects MEDICATIONS
- Ototoxic Drugs (Drugs That Harm The Ear)
- Aminoglycoside Antibiotics
- Cancer Therapy Treatments
- Ethacrynic Acid – Oral
- Aspirin
- Chloroquine
- Quinidine
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
- Meningitis
- Mumps
- Measles
- Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
- Scarlet Fever
- Rubella
- Rubeola
- Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 BACTERIAL INFECTION
- Encephalitis
A non-controlled studies reported that 17-33% of patients with sudden hearing loss remember a recent viral illness. Patients who experienced ISSHL found damage in the cochlea consistent with viral injuries. Loss of hair cells and neuronal losses were observed. These models were similar to findings in documented cases of hearing loss after a patient had mumps, measles, and maternal rubella. Viral infection can sited as a cause of ISSHL, but has not been confirmed.
VIRAL INFECTIONS
- Colds
- Adenovirus
- Cytomegalovirus (Cmv)
- Infectious Mononucleosis
- Influenza
- Parainfluenza
IMMUNOLOGIC DISEASES
The evidence is building as more studies show that there can be a progressive sensorineural hearing loss observed with immune-mediated inner ear disease. The reasons are unclear, but immunologic activity within the cochlea is thought to be the cause. There are documented connections of hearing loss in Cogan syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other autoimmune rheumatologic disorders.
- Cogan’s Syndrome
- Lupus
- Fibromyalgia
- Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease “AIED” a syndrome of progressive hearing loss and/or dizziness which are caused by antibodies or immune cells which are attacking the inner ear.
TRAUMATIC
The cochlea the auditory portion of the inner ear and is extremely sensitive to changes in blood supply. Reduction or blockages of the blood supply due to blood clots, stroke, high blood pressure, or trauma can cause sudden hearing loss. It has been sited that blockage of the blood flow to your inner ears can result in permanent hearing loss in under a minute.
Traumatic Perforation Of The Eardrum
Head Injuries
Skull Fracture (Temporal Bone)
- Blood Clot
- Post–Coronary Artery Bypass Graft DISEASE PROCESSES
- Leukemia
- Circulatory Problems
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Ménière’s Disease
- Syphilis
ACOUSTIC TRAUMA
- Loud Explosive Noise
- Explosions
- Fireworks
- Gunfire
- Rock Concerts
- Mp3 Players
- Machinery
- Jets
- Occupational Work Noise
BAROTRAUMA
Barotraumas is when pressure the air pressure in your middle ear and the air pressure in the environment are out of balance. If the pressure is severe, your eardrum can rupture. The pressure during a trip in an airplane can causes changes in pressure that can result in sudden hearing loss.
- Scuba Diving
- Air Plane Passengers
- Sky Diving
- Blow To Ear CANCER / TUMORS
- Abnormal Tissue Growth
- Acoustic Neuroma
- Vestibular Schwannoma
- Temporal Bone Metastases
- Carcinomatous meningitis
TOXIC
- Exposure To Pesticides
- Snake Bites
- Chemicals –home or occupational
TESTS YOUR DOCTOR MAY ORDER
Inner Ear Work Ups Include:
- Audiometry: pure-tone and speech tests and immittance (tympanometry and acoustic reflex) tests, is mandatory.
- Auditory brainstem response testing and otoacoustic emissions.
- Vestibular tests
- Laboratory Studies
- Blood Tests
- (FTA-Abs)
- (ANA)Antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and (ESR) erythrocyte sedimentation rate for autoimmune diseases
- (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and clotting time for coagulopathy
- CBC checking for infection
- (TSH) Thyroid
- Bloods Tests For Cholesterol and triglycerides for hyperlipidemia
- Imaging Studies
- MRI
- CT scan
You now know that you are not alone. There could be a hundred reasons why you have experienced sudden hearing loss, or SSHL, and perhaps you are one of the lucky individual that may be able to determine the contributing factors. However, with most cases of sudden hearing loss, the reason will be unclear. You may have a spontaneous recovery, or you may continue to having hearing difficulties. Continue on to page 2 for treatment options that are available.
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