Sudden one-sided hearing loss: how urgent is it?
Be aware of an abrupt drop in hearing, called Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) usually affecting only one ear . Often the affected ear is described by patients as feeling “blocked” or that their hearing is muffled or completely absent. As the name suggests, this type of hearing loss has a sudden onset . Many patients attend Knox Audiology saying they suffered an instant change in hearing, discovering it upon waking from a night’s sleep or noticing a progressive drop over a few days. SSNHL affects the nerves of the inner ear and can remain as a permanent hearing loss.
There are many possible causes of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL), including infection, circulatory changes, trauma to the head or ear, a reaction to medications(ototoxicity), inner ear or immune diseases with the cause sometimes remaining unknown.
There is an urgent risk as the patient can be left with a permanent hearing loss although SSNHLs can sometimes spontaneously recover partially or completely without treatment. This type of hearing loss responds best with oral steroid treatment given as soon as possible after onset; ideally within the first 24-48 hours, but there can also be benefit after 1-2 weeks. Because of this, SSNHL should be treated as a medical emergency. Unfortunately in general practices it is often misdiagnosed as more common ear complaints such as middle ear infections or Eustachian tube dysfunction. If you ever have a sudden change in your hearing, please seek medical advice and book in for an emergency hearing test appointment at Knox Audiology.
Call and request an URGENT appointment 98005697