Sudden Hearing Loss
What is Sudden Hearing Loss?
- A rapid hearing loss, typically in one ear, occurring over a period of 72 hours or less
- A medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment
- Associated symptoms MAY include tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and/or dizziness (vertigo)
What causes Sudden Hearing Loss?
- Infectious diseases such as mumps, measles or chickenpox
- Circulatory and inner ear problems such as Meniere’s disease
- Trauma, such as a head injury that disrupts cochlear blood flow
- Acoustic neuroma (non-cancerous tumor) of the acoustic nerve
Symptoms:
- A hearing test that measures a loss of at least 30dB
- Inability to hear when using the “deafened” ear in a telephone call or conversation
- Noticing a loud “pop” or explosive sound just before severe hearing loss occurs
Diagnosis:
- Talk honestly with your Audiologist about sudden changes in your ability to hear
- Allow your Audiologist to professionally evaluate the type and severity of your hearing loss
- Allow your Audiologist to evaluate the function of your inner ear
- Co-ordinate with a Physician to order an MRI to rule out acoustic neuroma
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