What is sudden hearing loss?

Sudden hearing loss that happens within 24 hours or less is referred to as sudden hearing loss. Instead of the middle or outer ear, the hearing loss happens in the cochlea, the inner ear's hearing organ, or the hearing nerve.

The majority of sudden hearing loss cases are viral, and the majority of patients are treated with steroids. Patients with mild hearing loss tend to recover.

Although sudden hearing loss is a rather frequent disease that has been the focus of much clinical investigation, it remains frustrating for patients and physicians because the aetiology frequently cannot be identified, the therapy isn't always successful, and the prognosis is generally unclear.

The underlying cause of sudden hearing loss may not be identified until later, delaying appropriate treatment. Many people with sudden hearing loss are first diagnosed with another condition, such as wax impaction or an ear infection. However, individuals might not get better even with quick therapy, and hearing loss might not go away.

What are the symptoms of sudden deafness or sudden hearing loss?

A person suffering from SSHL might have:

Reduced hearing immediately following a very loud, startling "pop" or gong-like noise in one ear
Awareness of abrupt hearing loss when waking
Difficulty hearing during a phone conversation
Sounds may be heard but at much softer levels in the affected ear
Normal voice conversation heard as whispering
Dizziness, pressure and ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Why does sudden hearing loss occur?

In a few instances, sudden hearing loss can be due to a temporary obstruction, like earwax buildup, allergy congestion, a cold, or sinus infection. This would be a conductive, rather than sensorineural, hearing loss.

Sudden hearing loss is typically idiopathic, meaning it has no known etiology. About 10% to 15% of cases have a known cause, which may include:

Few infections
Head injury or trauma
An acoustic neuroma which is a tumor of the auditory nerve.
Circulatory issues
Ototoxic drugs (drugs that damage the inner ear)
Neurologic diseases such as multiple sclerosis
Cogan's syndrome and kindred autoimmune diseases
Ménière's disease or other vestibular conditions

Hearing loss can also be one of the causes of a stroke, meningitis or other severe illness. More recent studies are exploring hypertension, elevated cholesterol and diabetes mellitus as potential risk factors.

How is sudden hearing loss diagnosed?

A primary care physician or urgent care specialist may initially examine your ear canal to check for issues like fluid or wax accumulation. You will probably be referred to an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist, or ENT) if those causes are ruled out. To detect a sensory problem and assess the severity of hearing loss, this physician might perform a pure tone audiometry test, which is a hearing examination that plays various tones through a headset.

Additional diagnostic procedures could involve blood work, MRIs, or balancing tests.

How is sudden hearing loss treated?

Sudden hearing loss with an identifiable cause is usually treatable. For example, compacted earwax can be removed in a doctor’s office, or an ear infection can be treated with antibiotics. In serious cases of SSHL, about 50% of people tend to recover some or all of their hearing spontaneously within one to two weeks.

The sooner you’re treated, the higher the chance of preserving your hearing. In fact, 85% of those who get treated promptly by an otolaryngologist are able to regain some or most of their hearing.

The most successful and typical treatment for SSHL is steroid therapy, a regimen of corticosteroids to treat inflammation and heal. These can be taken orally or given as injections into the ear itself. People who do not regain all or some of their hearing may require hearing aids or even a cochlear implant.

Is there further testing required for sudden hearing loss?

Rarely (less than 1% of the time) sudden hearing loss is caused by a benign (nonmalignant) tumor on the nerve that carries sound from the ear to the brain. These are referred to as "vestibular schwannomas." Your doctor might request a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to search for this tumor if an MRI is okay with you. The other alternative is an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) hearing test. If the ABR proves to be abnormal, your doctor should order an MRI.

What are the side effects of both treatments?

Side effects vary with every form of treatment but can consist of anxiety, pain, dizziness, elevated blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, depression, or difficulty sleeping. When compared head-to-head, intratympanic steroid injection results in significantly fewer side effects than oral steroids. You should discuss the side effects of any treatment that you are considering with your doctor.

What else can I expect?

Sudden deafness is terrifying and can cause you to feel embarrassed, angry, anxious, isolated, and even depressed. It is beneficial to talk with a counselor. If you experience tinnitus (ringing in the ear), it is typically loud and horrible at first but greatly diminishes over the first few months and if the hearing returns to normal. If you do not regain full hearing, you can discuss hearing aids or other assistive devices that you can utilize to facilitate hearing with your otolaryngologist and audiologist. You will need a follow-up hearing test (audiometry) within six months of your initial consultation with SSNHL.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for sudden hearing loss treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm is the best hospital for Sudden Hearing Loss Treatment in Lucknow, India. We have experienced ENT specialists and audiologists provide advanced diagnostics, urgent steroid therapies, and personalised rehabilitation plans to help patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss regain sound clarity and improve hearing outcomes effectively.