Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), which is also known as sudden hearing loss, can be happen when there is a damage to the cochlea in the inner ear, hearing nerve pathways or the hearing part of the brain.

It can be difficult for health professionals like ENT to know the exact cause of the sudden deterioration, but the most common causes are:

Outer and middle ear

• Blockage from wax and foreign body

• Outer and middle ear infection

• Exostoses

• Trauma

• Perforated ear drum

• Cholesteatoma

Inner ear

• Idiopathic (unknown)

• Viral/bacterial infection

• Noise induced

• Sudden loud sounds

• Trauma

• Tumour

• Vascular

• Prolonged exposure to loud sounds

• Meniere disease

• Endolymphatic hydrop

• Ototoxic drugs

• Barotrauma

• Neurological

and more.

As part of the diagnosis, otoscopy and a hearing test are required before seeing the ENT.

Timing is the essence when it comes to SSHL management. Unless the site of lesion is from outer and middle ear related, in general rule, earlier the treatment, the higher the chance of having some recovery.

Use of oral steroids is the most commonly used treatment, which tries to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Should the steroid not giving any improvement then the only option left is to trial hearing aids.

If you are experiencing a sudden hearing loss, please book an appointment with your GP then for a hearing test if your GP cannot see any blockages in the ear canal.