Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
For most people, hearing loss happens slowly. It will start to decrease gradually over a number of years; hearing decline will happen so slowly that you barely notice, and is most often caused by aging or repeat noise exposure. But what if it happens all at once? What if, one day, you wake up and it’s gone? Fortunately this is not common, occurring in approximately 5 to 6 per 5,000 people per year, and is almost always in only one ear.
What is sudden hearing loss?
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss, or SSNHL, is defined as a sudden loss of hearing occurring either all at once or in a rapid decline within 2-3 days. This type of hearing loss occurs at the hearing nerve, is not caused by a blockage such as ear wax or fluid, and most commonly happens in only one ear. Some causes of SSNHL can include but are not limited to:
- Viral infection that attacks the hearing nerve
- Bacterial infection
- Head trauma
- Ototoxic medications
- Autoimmune diseases
- Ménière’s Disease
- Blood circulation issues
- Neurological disorders
Symptoms of SSNHL
Although it may seem like a sudden loss of hearing would be obvious, there are accompanying symptoms that at times can make SSNHL more difficult to identify. Symptoms of SSNHL can include:
- Sudden loss of hearing in one ear
- Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Tinnitus, or sudden onset of ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the ear
Diagnosis and Treatment
Since SSHL is not caused by an obvious blockage, it cannot be diagnosed by ear examination alone. The only way to diagnose a sensorineural hearing loss is by completing an audiological examination, or diagnostic hearing test. The most important part of treatment and prognosis following a SSNHL is timing. The faster a sudden loss is diagnosed and treated, the better chance there is of hearing to return to baseline, ideally within 48 hours of the loss.
After a sudden loss is identified, treatment will be administered by an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor, or Otolaryngologist. Treatment may vary based on the cause of the loss, but most often, a SSNHL will first be treated with steroids. These can either be taken orally in pill form, or directly injected through the eardrum (intratympanic injection). Another option for treatment either in conjunction with steroids or if there is no improvement in hearing following steroids, is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). This type of therapy takes place in a hyperbaric chamber, and involves breathing pure oxygen. The goal is that the increased oxygen in tissue will heal the hearing nerve and reverse any damage, resulting in hearing being restored to baseline.
Sudden hearing loss can be a medical emergency that requires prompt attention to maximize the chances of recovery. By understanding the potential causes, recognizing the symptoms early, and seeking immediate treatment, individuals can take critical steps toward preserving their hearing health and overall well-being.
References
Alexander TH, Harris JP. Incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Otol Neurotol. 2013 Dec;34(9):1586-9. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000000222. PMID: 24232060.
Commissioner, O. of the. (n.d.). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Get the facts. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-get-facts
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018, September 14). Sudden deafness. National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/sudden-deafness
