Treating Sudden Hearing Loss: Can You Get Your Hearing Back
Although treatments for sudden hearing loss are still fairly limited, they are important:;85%;of those who receive prompt medical attention regain some or all of their hearing. This is mostly good news for people hoping to regain their hearing in one ear.
The drugs used to to treat sudden hearing loss are steroids, which suppress inflammation. Specifically, corticosteroids are the most common treatment for SSNHL. They work by helping the body fight illness, decreasing swelling and reducing inflammation. Usually administered in pill form, the steroids also can be given through an injection behind the eardrum.
With prompt treatment, you have a good chance of regaining some or all of your lost hearing.
Why Does My Hearing Keep Going In And Out
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At some point in your life you’ll probably experience your hearing going in and out. One second everything may be fine and then another sounds and noises seem muted or less audible.
There are only a few explanations for why hearing keeps going in and out, which I’ll discuss below.
The Impact Of Hearing Loss At A Restaurant
Restaurants are places with a lot of ambient noise .
Normally, this background chatter is what gives eateries a bit of character, and its no great problem. However, when you cant hear properly, ambient noise can make it very difficult to converse with your fellow diners or hear the waiting staff.
All-too-often, people with hearing loss will inquire about the house specials, only to nod their heads as if they understood everything, before returning to the printed menu to settle for something they might not want.
And its a problem that may be getting worse. One UK-based charity, Action On Hearing Loss, reports that 81 percent of those surveyed had experienced difficulties sustaining conversations in places to eat.
Most restaurants arent designed with acoustics in mind, which only makes the problem worse, although some have thought about the issue, adding things like cork wood ceilings to absorb sound waves so help is at hand.
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Consider Hearing Aid Rehabilitation
Hearing aids have been shown to make a dramatic difference in the lives of people with hearing loss. Not only do they help restore some amount of hearing, but they can also;improve sleep problems;and related issues.
However, only;20% of adults;who would be helped by hearing aids use them. If you have hearing loss and struggle with insomnia or another sleep disorder, ;hearing aid rehabilitation could be the right treatment choice.
Hearing aid rehabilitation starts with a hearing test. Until the hearing aid or hearing aid dispenser has understood your form of hearing loss, they will suggest potential hearing aids.
Modern hearing aids come in a;wide range of styles;and at many price points. When choosing one, it might be helpful to consider these questions;suggested by the FDA:
- Are the benefits and features of higher-priced styles worth the cost to me?
- Does the manufacturer offer a trial and adjustment period?
- What are the terms of the warranty?
- How are repairs covered, and will loaner aids be provided during repairs?
Adjusting to hearing aids;can take time. Not only will you have to get used to the physical sensation of the aids, but you will also have to retrain your brain to adjust to sounds you otherwise could not hear.
Still, the process is well worth the effort. Most hearing aid users are;satisfied or very satisfied;with their aids, regardless of the technology or version they use.
How Do Doctors Diagnose It
Hearing loss can be difficult to diagnose in infants and babies because they haven’t yet developed communication skills. All babies are screened before they leave the hospital to see if they have hearing loss. Sometimes parents may begin to notice that the baby doesn’t respond to loud noises or to the sound of voices, or has a delay in speech.
Certain symptoms in teens should prompt a trip to the doctor. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, you should let your parents or doctor know if:
- You feel that people mumble or that their speech is not clear, or you hear only parts of conversations when people are talking.
- You often ask people to repeat what they said.
- Friends or family tell you that you don’t seem to hear very well.
- You don’t laugh at jokes because you miss too much of the story.
- You need to ask others about the details of a class or meeting you attended.
- People say that you play music or your TV too loudly.
- You can’t hear the doorbell or telephone.
The doctor will do an ear exam and, if necessary, refer someone with these symptoms to an audiologist, a health professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing problems. The audiologist will do various hearing tests that can help detect where the problem might be.
A person may also need to see an otolaryngologist , a doctor who specializes in ear, nose, and throat problems.
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Ask Your Doctor About Your Meds
Check with your doctor about any new or current medications youre taking, and whether they are known to be ototoxic. Before treatment, the doctor can get a baseline measurement of your hearing, which can be used to monitor any hearing changes and explore drug therapy changes down the road if need be.
Treating Hearing That Goes Out Sometimes
Whether your hearing loss is the come-and-go kind or the move-right-in-and-never-leave kind, its important that you seek out treatment. Many come-and-go hearing loss types will resolve on their own, but many also wont, and its hard to know which is which without consulting a specialist.
So, when you notice that the volume on your radio or your TV is high, you should probably make an appointment with a hearing specialist for a quick hearing exam.
As with all types of hearing loss, the sooner you can identify the problem, the more options youll have.
Page medically reviewed by;Kevin St. Clergy, Audiologist, on May 11, 2020.
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Signs Of Hearing Loss In 1 Ear
It’s not always easy to tell if you’ve lost hearing in 1 ear, as you may still be able to hear with your other ear.
Signs;of a hearing problem in 1 ear include:
- your hearing is worse when sound comes from 1 side
- all sounds seem generally quieter than usual
- finding it;hard to tell where;sound is coming from
- difficulty ignoring background noise or telling different sounds apart
- finding speech unclear
- difficulty hearing in noisy places or over long distances
Hearing loss in 1 ear is often caused by sound temporarily being unable to pass through the ear; for example, because of;earwax or an ear infection.
Is Your Hearing Loss Temporary Or Permanent
Contributed by Joy Victory, managing editor, Healthy HearingLast updated June 16, 20202020-06-16T00:00:00-05:00
Have you noticed you’re not hearing as well as you normally do? There are many causes of hearing loss, from age-related hearing loss to viral infections like mumps.
Depending on the cause, your hearing loss may be temporary or permanent.
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General Signs Of Hearing Loss
It can be hard to tell if you’re losing your hearing.;Other people may notice;it before you do.
Early signs of hearing loss include:
- difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
- asking;people to repeat themselves
- listening to music or watching;TV with the volume higher than other people need
- difficulty hearing on the phone
- finding it;hard to keep up with a conversation
- feeling tired or stressed;from having to concentrate while listening
These problems are often caused by hearing loss that;can happen as you get older. This is permanent, but;treatments such as hearing aids can;help.
Treating Sudden Hearing Loss
- Tips for Better Hearing in Noise – August 31, 2021
The sudden loss of hearing in one or both ears can be frightening, but many patients make a full recovery. For patients who are left with a degree of hearing loss and tinnitus, treatments such as hearing aids and audiological rehabilitation can provide relief. Sudden Sensorineural hearing loss is a medical emergency: it should always be taken seriously and assessed by a doctor immediately, for better chances of a full recovery of hearing.
Some facts about sudden hearing loss:
-Sudden hearing loss occurs when there is a loss greater than 30 decibels over three frequencies, which appears over a period of less than three days.
-Sudden hearing loss often appears without a warning sign and for no apparent reason. It typically develops in 24 hours or less.
-The hearing loss may be noticed first thing in the morning, and you may hear a pop in your ear before the loss occurs.
-SSNHL comes from the inner ear rather than the outer or middle ear.
-Most cases of SSNHL are viral, and most patients receive treatment with steroids. Patients with only mild degrees of hearing loss tend to recover.
-70 percent of SSNHL patients also experience tinnitus symptoms, and 50 percent also suffer from vertigo .
-The incidence of SSNHL is the same in men and women.
Treating SSNHL
Systemic steroid treatment is most common
Hearing aids and cochlear implants can help
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A Simple To Test To Tell If You Have Sudden Hearing Loss
If youre worried about a hearing drop in one ear, theres a simple test you can do to tell whether its caused by a blockage or something more serious: hum aloud.
If you hear your voice louder in the blocked ear, you have nothing to worry about, said Rauch. You probably have temporary hearing loss from wax, fluid, or water, and your hearing will return when your cold goes away or the wax clears. But if your voice sounds louder in the good ear, you have an emergency and need to be seen by an ENT.
Is It Noise Damage
You may have a hard time hearing after going to a concert but wake up just fine the next morning. Or you may notice your hearing isn’t good after years of working in a noisy factory. These are both examples of noise-induced hearing loss .
NIHL happens when there is a short blast of loud noise or when youre exposed to loud noise for a long time. Constant exposure to loud noises can cause high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.;The sounds can damage the inside of your ear and lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. Common causes include:
- One-time exposure to an intense sound, like an explosion
- Long-term exposure to loud sounds, like in a factory
- Target shooting/hunting without proper ear protection
- Listening to loud music through headphones
- Going to loud concerts
There’s no treatment to bring back the hearing that’s been lost. To protect what you have, wear earplugs or earmuffs around loud noise, and talk to your doctor so you can avoid medications that may cause hearing loss, such as high doses of aspirin.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Hearing Loss
It’s not always easy to tell if you’re losing your hearing.
Common signs include:
- difficulty hearing other people clearly, and misunderstanding what they say, especially in;noisy places
- asking people to repeat themselves
- listening to music or watching television loudly
- having to concentrate hard to hear what other people are saying, which can be tiring or stressful
The signs can be slightly different if you only;have hearing loss in 1 ear or if a young child has hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Myths That Hold You Back
Can hearing aids reduce these risks? Lin hopes to find out in a new study, still in the planning stages. These studies have never been done before, he notes. What we do know is that theres no downside to using hearing aids. They help most people who try them. And in those people, they can make all the difference in the worldallowing people to reengage with friends and family and to be more involved again.
Although nearly 27 million Americans age 50 and older have hearing loss, only one in seven uses a hearing aid. If you think your hearing has diminished, its worth making an appointment with an audiologist for a hearing check, Lin says. If you have hearing loss, dont let the following myths keep you from getting help.
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Treatments For Hearing Loss
Hearing loss sometimes gets;better on its own, or may be treated with medicine or a simple procedure. For example, earwax can be sucked out, or;softened with eardrops.
But other types; such as gradual hearing loss, which;often happens as you get older ;may be permanent. In these cases, treatment;can help make the most of the remaining hearing. This may involve using:
- hearing aids; several different types are available on the NHS or privately
- implants; devices that are attached to;your skull or placed deep inside your ear, if hearing aids are not suitable
- different ways of;communicating; such as sign language;or lip reading
Reversing Conductive Hearing Loss
Depending on the nature and extent of the problem, people with conductive hearing loss can get some or even most of their hearing back. However, not everyone can reverse or regain their hearing loss.
Blockage removal
Wax and foreign objects can be removed, sometimes noninvasively. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. Growths can be surgically removed.
Other treatments
Your doctor might not be able to medically restore your hearing if you have conductive hearing loss caused by abnormalities such as:
- stenosis of the ear canal, which is when your ear canal is abnormally narrow
- exostoses, or the thickening of the bone surrounding your ear canal
- otosclerosis, the abnormal bone growth around the stapes bone in your middle ear
- ossicular chain discontinuity, or the abnormal separation of the middle ear bones: malleus, incus, and stapes
Although the medical options are limited, your doctor might offer solutions such as:
- traditional hearing aids
- middle ear implants
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Signs Of Hearing Loss In Children
Your child may have a problem with their hearing if they:
- are slow to;learn to talk, or are n’t clear when they speak
- do not reply when you call them
- talk very loudly
- ask you to repeat yourself or respond inappropriately to questions
- turn up the volume of the TV very high
See a GP if you’re worried about your child’s hearing.
Hearing loss in children can be caused by a build-up of fluid in the ear , which tends to get better over time and can be treated.
Do I Need To See A Doc If My Hearing Is Coming In And Out
Does your hearing go out sometimes, and then come back? There are several things that can cause this.
Its been a long day, so you kick off your shoes, plop down on your couch, and turn on your TVand youre immediately alarmed. The TV is so loud that you have to scramble for the remote before your neighbors come stomping over.
You were the only one watching TV recently , so why in the world was the volume so high? Were you deaf yesterday and not today? Can hearing loss come and go like that?
Well, sort ofIt depends on the hearing loss.
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Causes Of Temporary Hearing Loss
Temporary hearing loss can occur after a loud concert, or crop up out of nowhere. Depending on the cause of your hearing loss, you might require care immediately to avoid permanent hearing loss. Other cases might clear up on their own, with no intervention from a doctor. However, you should see a doctor or audiologist regardless, just to make sure your ears arent seriously affected.
Is There A Way To Know When Hearing Loss Is An Emergency
There is a simple test that can be done at homeor wherever you areto help determine whether sudden hearing loss is sensorineural or conductive, Dr. Rauch explained. Its called the humming test.
If you have normal hearing in both ears and you hum, you hear the sound equally on both sides.
If one ear is blocked from congestion, water, or earwax , the hum will be heard louder in the blocked ear. This is not an emergency, but may warrant follow up care with an ear, nose and throat doctor.
If you have nerve damage due to sudden sensorineural hearing loss, the humming ;shifts away from the blocked ear and sounds louder in the good ear. This is an emergency.
For anyone experiencing a loss of hearing, I would recommend doing a quick humming test to see if you should see a doctor right away, said Dr. Rauch. No matter the results, I would still monitor your blocked ear, as treatment may also be needed for conductive hearing loss.
For more information and a demonstration of the humming test, watch the video above.
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Diagnosing And Treating Sshl
Are you concerned about hearing going in and out in one ear? If so, schedule an appointment with an audiologist or ENT as soon as possible. The medical professional will test for SSHL using a hearing test called pure tone audiometry. These tests will determine if sound is not reaching the middle ear as it should. A pure tone audiometry test can also show the provider the degree of hearing loss.
After a doctor diagnoses SSHL, the next step is to determine the cause and/or underlying medical conditions. Common diagnostic methods include a balance test, blood test, and imaging test such as magnetic resonance imaging .
Completing a prescription of corticosteroids is the most common treatment for SSHL, particularly when a medical provider cannot diagnose a specific cause. The corticosteroids help to reduce swelling and inflammation in the ear as well and give the body an added immunity boost to fight off illness. Most doctors prescribe corticosteroids in pill form although some have started offering injections more recently. If this fails to restore normal hearing, people suffering from SSHL should return to the same medical provider or request a referral for additional testing.