Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Whilst losing your hearing is never a pleasant experience , one of the most frightening and unpleasant methods to experience this kind of an affliction is through sudden hearing loss. Sudden hearing loss may occur through several aetiologies (causes). The diagnosis of the underlying aetiology may possibly be evident in some circumstances, but in some situations it may not be obvious such as a nasal infection or indeed a mid ear infection, or possibly something called a temporary threshold shift, which happens in response to exposure to consistent loud noise.

However, there is one particular type of sudden hearing loss that may have no obvious cause. The condition has been labelled Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss or SSHL. SSHL is a rare but relatively troubling phenomena that has recently gained a lot of interest. The underlying aetiology is still not truly understood, but it is felt that it possibly is related to a viral infection.  

The initial step upon suffering any type of sudden hearing loss is to see an audiologist who can help to specifically diagnose the exact type of hearing loss you are suffering from. If it is found that you are suffering from a conductive hearing loss which is an underlying problem in the middle ear you will be refferred to a medical professional for treatment. In most cases treatment will probably include antibiotics and the underlying problem will fade over time.

Sometimes a thing as basic as a head cold can lead to fluids to build up, or even infections, the end result can be nearly instantaneous onset of a reduction in the capability to hear. The fluid interferes with the movement of the tympanic membrane and the ossicles of the middle ear. As a direct result, sounds cannot be clearly distinguished or heard. When the fluid drains, hearing difficulties typically disappear totally with time. Other and more serious cases of sudden conductive hearing  may be as result of a head injury, or a sudden loud noise like an explosion. The underlying cause is the dislocation or breaking of the Ossicular chain.  In some case surgical procedures can repair the latter kind of sudden conductive reduction.

If it is found that your hearing loss is a Sudden sensorineural hearing loss, a loss that affects the inner ear, this needs to be considered a medical emergency. If your hearing has diminished radically suddenly or indeed over a period of days and is found to be sensorineural loss you need to attend an accident & emergency department immediately. Some people report hearing a loud 'popping' sound just before the reduction of the capacity to hear, others report headache and dizziness or ringing of the ears. While some situations are induced by components from the external atmosphere and afflictions such as ototoxic drugs, Meniere's Condition, acoustic neuroma, head trauma, circulatory system issues and more, in quite a large amount of instances there appears to be no apparent cause.

It is imperative that if you suffer a sudden loss that you attend for treatment as a matter of emergency. Most  medical professionals will try to deal with the issue with a assortment of strategies such as steroids, diuretics, anticoagulants, anti-virals and oxygen treatment. In most cases with speedy treatment the loss can be reduced and there may even be a full recovery, but speedy treatment is the key.