Sudden Hearing Loss

Pradeep Singh
Sep 8, 2018 · 2 min read

Sudden hearing loss or sudden deafness or sudden sensorial hearing loss (SSHL) is a sudden loss of hearing that happens unexpectedly. Hearing loss is seen in one ear. It may be sudden or at once or may have developed over a few hours or days.

In a nutshell, sudden hearing loss is abrupt or rapidly progressive. The loss is based on time, severity and the loss of audible frequency spectrum (low or high sound frequency loss). Sudden hearing loss is diagnosed as a sensorineural hearing loss of greater than 30 dB within three days period. Hearing loss can occur in right or left ear. However, bilateral (hearing loss in both the ears) is very rare and sudden bilateral hearing loss is also very rare.

Facts about Hearing Loss

  • In 9 out of 10 people — the loss of hearing is only in one ear.
  • The diagnosis is made by conducting a hearing test.
  • The hearing loss is diagnosed if the test results show loss of at least 30 decibels.
  • The affected person may hear conversational speech as a whisper.
  • People may notice SSHL early in the morning when they wake up.
  • People with sudden hearing loss may feel dizziness or ringing in one or both the ears (Tinnitus).
  • More than 50% of the people will recover their hearing within a week or two.
  • Majority of the people who receive treatment form an ENT specialist recover hearing.
  • Adults in the age group of 40 and 50 years are prone to hearing loss.
  • Majority of the hearing loss cases go undiagnosed — owing to negligence and misdiagnosis.
  • In time diagnosis and prompt treatment lead to early recovery.

Causes of Sudden Hearing Loss

Hearing loss causes include ear infections, ear trauma, immunological issues, autoimmune diseases such as Cogan’s syndrome, drug toxicity, neurological issues (multiple sclerosis), metabolic causes, inner ear problems including Meniere’s disease, tumours, circulatory diseases, cochlear issues and unknown causes (idiopathic). Hearing loss is attributed to a known cause only in about 15 to 20% of the cases as majority of the cases do not have any known cause. See Leading Causes of Hearing Loss.

Sudden hearing loss should be treated as a medical emergency. Those who experience it must seek immediate medical care. Majority of the people with this condition avert consulting an ENT specialistas they assume their hearing loss to be due to an infection, allergy, cold or flu and due to excess earwax in their ear canal or may be due to any other condition. Whatever may be the case, delaying seeking medical care may cause delay in diagnosis and treatment. Which in turn will affect the treatment outcomes.

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