Signs of hearing loss 624
by Admin
Posted on 03-10-2022 09:07 AM
ear
pressure and/or tinnitus are typically the first signs of sudden hearing loss.
Symptoms occur at once or within a few days, usually in one ear, and can vary in severity. In worst case scenarios, permanent deafness is possible. Earache is not a common symptom of sudden hearing loss. Pain in one ear has different causes and may indicate another clinical issue, such as an infection. However, the occurrence of a muffled sound in the ear or dizzy spells may be a symptom of hearing loss. The most common symptoms of sudden hearing loss include:
occurrence of hearing loss without a recognizable cause.
If a primary care or urgent care provider doesn’t see any signs of blockage or infection in the ear that could be causing sudden hearing loss, the next step is quick referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist. The ent specialist will want to rule out anything else that could be causing the symptoms and give a hearing test. “many of these patients would not have a baseline hearing test for comparison, but in those circumstances, what we’re mostly looking for is asymmetry, or a difference between the two ears,” dr. Woodson explains. They may also order an mri to rule out other problems, such as benign tumors that form on the hearing and balance nerves.
The aetiology of ssnhl is not clear. It is also known as idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss. Possibilities include i) atheromatous blockage of the vestibulocochlear blood supply; ii) viral neuronitis and iii) autoimmune disease. A small minority of patients will have a vestibular schwannoma, also known as acoustic neuroma. Note that these benign masses are very rare with an incidence of 1:100,000 per year (an 'average' gp practice serves a population of 6000-8000 people) and that many schwannomas do not require intervention. Patients will present with a history of sudden hearing loss. It is almost always unilateral. Many seem to go to bed fine and wake up with deafness.
Many people who have suffered the condition mention that ear pressure and/or tinnitus were the first signs that they suffered. The symptoms can occur immediately all at once or over a period of time, usually in one ear. The severity of the symptoms may vary significantly. In worst case scenarios, permanent deafness may be possible, that is why it needs to be treated immediately. The typical symptoms mentioned by sufferers are: the occurrence of sudden noticeable hearing loss the absence of an earache hearing loss in only one ear dizziness the most obvious symptom is a sudden hearing loss in one ear, in particular, if it is not accompanied by an earache.
Causes of hearing loss
Hearing loss is common, particularly as you get older. See a gp if you have problems with your hearing. It could be caused by something that can be easily treated.
Sudden sensorineural (“inner ear”) hearing loss (sshl), commonly known as sudden deafness , is an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing either all at once or over a few days. Sshl happens because there is something wrong with the sensory organs of the inner ear. Sudden deafness frequently affects only one ear. People with sshl often discover the hearing loss upon waking up in the morning. Others first notice it when they try to use the deafened ear, such as when they use a phone. Still others notice a loud, alarming “pop” just before their hearing disappears. People with sudden deafness may also notice one or more of these symptoms: a feeling of ear fullness, dizziness, and/or a ringing in their ears, such as tinnitus.