Sudden Hearing Loss (URGENT)!
Sudden Hearing Loss?
Do you know someone with sudden hearing loss? Well, in this post I’ll talk about
why this should be taken seriously and evaluated by a physician as soon as
possible. Coming up!
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Hi, I’m Dr. Derek audiologist, audio engineer, and musician with ProFitHearing.com
bringing you the best insight in today’s latest hearing aids and audio technology to improve your life. If you have concerns about your hearing, always consult with your local physician or audiologist.
Welcome to Question of the Day where I answer your hearing healthcare and audio
technology question. What causes sudden hearing loss, and what should you do about it?
Did you wake up one day and notice you couldn’t hear as well from one or both of your ears? Well, you may have experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss. This should always be treated as a medical emergency. Seek medical attention as soon as possible the same day you first notice a problem. Quick treatment for sudden hearing loss may improve your chances of regaining some of the hearing in that ear depending on what caused it. An Ear Nose and Throat physician or ENT doctor specializes in the treatment of sudden hearing loss. An audiologist will work with the ENT doctor to measure your hearing levels before and after any medical treatment.
Sudden Hearing Loss Symptoms & Causes
Sudden hearing loss can occur in one or both ears. The level of hearing loss can also vary significantly from mild to profound. It can have a rapid onset or occur over days. Some signs of sudden hearing loss may be difficulty with sound localization (or knowing where sound is coming from) and difficulty hearing and background noise. You may also experience a fullness sensation in the ear, dizziness or vertigo (which is a spinning of the room sensation), tinnitus or ringing in the ears, the sensation that sounds are distorted, or also a loud popping sound in the ear.
Often the cause of sudden hearing loss is unknown or idiopathic. However, a few possible causes may include the following: earwax build-up, head trauma, an inner ear infection, a disease affecting the inner ear, ototoxic medications (meaning toxic to the inner ear), noise exposure, autoimmune disease, inner ear blood circulation problems, an inner ear membrane rupture, and congenital causes.
Remember if you experience sudden hearing loss, have an Ear Nose and Throat doctor evaluate your hearing that same day or as soon as possible to determine the cause. It’s important to determine the cause and get medical treatment quickly so that you can hopefully minimize the hearing loss that you experience. An ENT doctor will guide you through this process and make the appropriate medical recommendations. After medical evaluation and treatment if your hearing loss persists, an audiologist can determine whether a hearing aid is beneficial for you. In cases of more severe hearing loss, a cochlear implant evaluation can also be considered if hearing aids are not adequate.
Question of the Day
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Remember Pro Fit Hearing brings you the best insight in today’s latest hearing aids and audio technology to improve your life. If you have concerns about your hearing, always consult with your local physician or audiologist.
-Dr. Derek