Sudden Hearing Loss

[NY65912]

Reaching out to anyone or a Doc or audiologist that may reside here on the BBS.

I waited woke up about 4 weeks ago I woke up and could not hear out of my right ear. At first I thought it was blocked due to bad sinuses and allergies. Over time I felt more and more pressure in the ear and surrounding area with headaches that came and went.

I waited about ten days as I did not want to go in to my GP because you know what.

He put me on antibiotics and another week. Called him and he referred me to an ENT. Saw the ENT the next day, he said it was not to worry about. He scheduled tests which I did yesterday. The audiologist said that my good ear was very good and the right well, was not so good. I have worked in the construction/equipment business my entire life and back in the old days PPE was virtually not seen especially ear protection.

So, I asked the doc for a diagnosis and he said, Sudden Hearing Loss, due to nerve damage in the inner ear. I am now on Prednisone therapy for 10 days.

It sucks, I have always had tinnitus but the hi tones and screeching non stop is driving me nuts.

Any hope for me? Cheers, Mike PS: USE HEARING PROTECTION!!!!!!!!!

[jhynesrockmtn]

Sorry to hear. Unfortunately, I don't think they really know what causes this in many cases. My Mom who's now in her mid 80's woke up deaf in her left ear several years back. So deaf a hearing aid won't help that ear. They chalked it up to sudden hearing loss. She's been on rheumatoid arthritis medications for many years which screws up her immune system. Doc's theory was a virus attacked her inner ear doing permanent damage. She was never around loud noises, etc. Best of luck. Hopefully the drugs will help.

[John Rogers]

Since I had my cancer surgery on the right side of my head my right year has lower hearing than my left side by about 20%. That loss of hearing is normal somewhat for old people the audiologist said and coupled with the smaller sinus size due to radiation treatment I had when 5 years old. So he said unless it really bothers me let it so or I can buy a set of the "hearing amplifiers" for $50 or a set of real hearing aids that manage sounds like regular years do.....$5,000 or so! I got a set of $50 amplifiers at Walmart and do use them now and then.

[MBAtarga]

Costco is an excellent supplier of hearing aids that are very reasonably priced - solutions as low as about $800 or so. You don't have to pay $5k for hearing aids. This has been discussed fairly recently on another thread.

[Arizona_928]

Sudden hearing loss is a trip to the ER....
If you truly have a dead ear no normal hearing aid will help, they make ones that will project from the dead ear. But if the bone is dead. That's a no bueno. Might be a candidate for a cochlear implant as well. So there's options.

Post your the frequencies graph from your hearing test.

[jcommin]

Mike,

Sorry to read this. I have had hearing problems since I was 10 years old. It's largely due to sinuses. I have had tinnitus for many, many years and do have hearing loss. I remember taking an audiology test 35 years ago and the technician said I had hearing loss in my right ear. She also said: " I bet you have ringing in your ears". My response was, " doesn't everybody?"

Unfortunately hearing loss runs in my family. My dad had industrial hearing loss as well as his mom. My grandmother worked in the shoe factories in the Boston area in the early 1900s. My oldest who is 31 suffered from hearing issues when he was younger. He has the same sinus issues I have.

I worry about hearing loss all of the time - that and dementia.

[Crowbob]

I'm going with acoustic insult as the cause.

For me, when the tinnitus began it was a constant roar-worse at night, allot worse because it forces you to concentrate on it with no distractions.

For many people tinnitus is an enormously depressing companion. I read where even Captain Kirk almost capped himself because of it. Anxiety and audio hallucinations are not uncommon.

What I did was decide right then and there at night in my bed that I would not focus on it and I would not fight it. It's been there every second of every day ever since.

You can train yourself. I believe my success dealing with it is directly due to an immediate acceptance right at the onset that it is a new part of my life. MY life.

[LWJ]

Ugg. Sorry. No solutions. Also have genetic / environmental hearing loss. Ringing as I type.

[NY65912]

Thanks for the responses.

I don't have the numbers from the hearing test, although the tech said my left ear is fine.

The doc wants me to get an MRI to rule out any tumors or growth on the auditory nerve.

I have been living with tinnitus forever so that's not my big issue, it's the pressure and headaches.

Cheers

[Rusty Heap]

It could be called Marriage.?

happens to me all the time.

I get Selective hearing everytime she enters a room and starts talking never ending stories.

[wdfifteen]

I used to have an annoying sound in my right ear when driving my car.
Turned out to be my girlfriend.

[KFC911]

It's very common in dogs and children. Commonly cured by asking if they want a treat or some ice cream .

Best to you NY!

[pavulon]

https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/hearing-loss/sudden-hearing-loss

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by NY65912

I am now on Prednisone therapy for 10 days.

Hoping this helps. All the best.

[gsxrken]

Good luck pal. Not a great time to have to navigate healthcare system in NY. That said, maybe the ear specialists and MRI places are lighter than usual and you’ll get right in.

[livi]

Sudden deafness. I suffered the same 6 years ago. I have not improved although they claim up to 2/3 get better more or less. I have learned to live with it but the combination of bad hearing and constant tinnitus is difficult in situations with multiple sound sources. In a room with several people talking at once its particularly difficult. It does have its perks however. I can always pretend I have not heard whats been said and I am usually excused from boring meetings.

[rusnak]

Wow, I initially thought you were describing an ear infection. How complete is the hearing loss? Did they give you a percentage?

[NY65912]

So taking the Prednisone gives me insomnia. I'm getting double the work done.

The healthcare facilities are very cautious. PPE must be worn and there are staggered appointments.

There is a constant water running sound now combined with the loud tinnitus. Sheesh

[ErVikingo]

Sorry to say it but you made a mistake by waiting. I had it back in December on my left side. Called an ENT who told me to go straight to the ER as he wanted me to be on heavy prednisone inside of the first 48 hours. Perhaps even an injection.

I lost 80%, after 10 days at 60mg of pred x 10 days I was at 70% loss (compared to the right side). Tinnitus is extremely high (becomes background noise now).

Diagnosis was "sudden sensinurreal hearing loss" (spelling?).

I have an appoint me in June (6 month follow up) to see if things have improved.

Best of luck and hope you recover!

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by NY65912

So taking the Prednisone gives me insomnia. I'm getting double the work done.

The healthcare facilities are very cautious. PPE must be worn and there are staggered appointments.

There is a constant water running sound now combined with the loud tinnitus. Sheesh

argh, I have that raspy rhythmic water noise occasionally if I lay in bed with my left ear towards the pillow. I believe its the sound of blood flowing.