Sudden hearing loss

A Sudden hearing loss usually occurs suddenly and unexpectedly. Most of the time, one ear is affected by the sudden hearing loss. The signs of this illness are hearing loss or even deafness, dizziness and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). The causes are circulatory disorders, which can be triggered primarily by stress and smoking.

What is sudden hearing loss?

As Sudden hearing loss is a disease in which the person affected suddenly hears either nothing or very little. The dimensions can be very different and range from only slightly reduced hearing to complete deafness. Usually only one ear is affected; rarely do you hear anything in both ears.

Side effects such as ringing in the ears or a dull feeling in the ear are not uncommon with this disease. About 30 percent of patients also feel dizzy. In Germany around 16,000 people suffer from acute hearing loss every year; This makes this disease one of the most common ear diseases. Incidentally, people between the ages of 50 and 60 are most frequently affected. This disease is rather rare in children.

In most cases, however, hearing returns on its own within 24 hours.

causes

As the most common cause of one Sudden hearing loss one assumes a circulatory disorder of the inner ear. In this inner ear are the so-called hair cells, which are responsible for hearing. These send sounds to the hearing center in the human brain via the auditory nerve. Small blood vessels are responsible for the supply of oxygen and nutrients in these hair cells.

However, if these are not supplied with sufficient blood, the function of the hair cells is also impaired, and sudden hearing loss can result. Often times, small blood clots are responsible for this disease. Since these are similar to the blood clots in a heart attack, they are also called an inner ear infarction. Such blood clots can lead to increased blood lipid levels and excessive consumption of nicotine can of course lead to sudden hearing loss.

Even fluctuations in blood pressure or certain diseases of the human heart often lead to sudden hearing loss. In rare cases, tumors trigger this disease.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

A sudden hearing loss usually occurs suddenly and manifests itself through clear symptoms. Those affected perceive a sudden hearing loss, which can range up to deafness. This is accompanied by a dull feeling of pressure in the ear and unusual noises in the ear. A deafness in which certain sounds are perceived as being consumed can also arise. Usually the hearing problems are limited to one ear.

The hearing problems can lead to dizziness, nausea and occasionally vomiting. The hearing loss itself rarely affects the entire hearing ability. Often those affected only perceive individual pitches worse, while other pitches are perceived as before. So-called double hearing is also typical of a sudden hearing loss.

The same tone is perceived differently in both ears - in one ear, for example, the high tones are distorted or tinnitus occurs, while only a slight hearing loss is noticed in the other ear. These hearing problems affect the quality of life and well-being of those affected considerably.

Especially with long-lasting complaints, psychological complaints up to depression often arise. Depending on the cause, other symptoms can occur, for example earache, which occurs mainly in connection with arteriosclerosis and coagulation disorders.

Course of disease

A Sudden hearing loss usually occurs suddenly and without warning. For most patients, however, the symptoms disappear almost as quickly as they appeared. Nevertheless, a doctor should be consulted at the first signs, as the earlier treatment is started, the better the chances of recovery from this disease. If the appropriate therapy is given a few hours after the first symptoms appear, the chances of recovery are 80 to 90 percent.

Complications

Due to a sudden hearing loss, the patient suffers from very severe restrictions on quality of life. This leads to a very sudden loss of hearing, so that hearing loss or, in the worst case, direct deafness occurs. A panic attack occurs suddenly in many people. There are also various noises in the ear, which can lead to sleep disorders and general irritability.

Those affected suffer from circulatory disorders, dizziness and stress. As the disease progresses, the patient may faint and injure himself. If the patient becomes completely hard of hearing, depressive moods and other psychological complaints can develop. Young people in particular suffer greatly from the symptoms of sudden hearing loss.

The treatment takes place with the help of infusions that stimulate the blood circulation. There are no further complications. However, it cannot be predicted whether the treatment will lead to an improvement in the symptoms. In most cases, however, the disease progresses positively without complications. If there is an inflammation in the ear, antibiotics are usually used against it.

When should you go to the doctor?

If you have a complete hearing loss, that is, one ear or perhaps even both ears are completely deaf, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. It's important to stay calm while doing this, as stress can make symptoms worse.

If the hearing is only muffled, it is sufficient to allow yourself rest, drink a lot and refrain from alcohol and smoking. Most of the time, the symptoms will subside on their own. If this is not the case, or if the symptoms are even worse, then it is advisable to consult a doctor. Even 48 hours after a suspected sudden hearing loss, a visit to the doctor is sufficient as it can then still be treated. First of all, a visit to your family doctor is recommended, who will make an initial diagnosis and then, if necessary, refer you to an ear, nose and throat doctor. Often there is no sudden hearing loss, rather the ear is clogged with dirt or too much wax, so that hearing is impaired.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

All symptoms, which one Sudden hearing loss should be treated immediately by a doctor, because the sooner this condition is detected, the better the chances of a cure. If, on the other hand, you ignore symptoms such as sudden hearing loss, ringing in the ears or dizziness, in the worst case scenario deafness can develop that can no longer be treated.

The attending physician will first perform an otoscopy, known as an otoscopy, to rule out any damage to the eardrum. The degree of hearing loss is then determined with special hearing tests.

In the further therapy for diagnosing sudden hearing loss, it is now important to provide sufficient blood supply to the inner ear again - an infusion therapy is usually used here. For a period of about 14 days, the patient is given an agent via the veins once a day, which thins the blood. Medicines to widen the blood vessels are also often given to people with a sudden hearing loss. Cortisone preparations, on the other hand, help against the inflammation in the ear caused by a sudden hearing loss.

Aftercare

Follow-up care for sudden hearing loss depends on the severity of the event and its possible consequences. A mild sudden hearing loss that has resolved spontaneously and completely usually requires less follow-up care than one that was severe and caused hearing loss or tinnitus. The causes of the sudden hearing loss are also decisive.

If stress has been identified as the reason for the sudden hearing loss, follow-up care should be designed differently than in the case of a lack of fluids. Therefore, follow-up care is specific and ideally to be discussed with the attending physician, for example the ENT doctor or a hearing aid acoustician. It is always advisable to drink a sufficient amount in order to support the blood circulation in the body and the areas affected by the sudden hearing loss.

Water and teas are best for this. Alcohol and caffeine, especially in large quantities, are not advisable, as is the consumption of nicotine. Drugs that could be related to sudden hearing loss should be critically examined with the doctor to determine whether they are necessary. Stress, which triggers sudden hearing loss, should be reduced as best as possible step by step in order to prevent a relapse. Autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobsen and yoga also help here. If there are hearing problems after the sudden hearing loss, it is best to discuss them with a qualified hearing care professional.

You can do that yourself

If a hearing loss is suspected, an ENT doctor should be consulted immediately in order to avoid permanent damage. Some factors favor this form of disease, which can be switched off or at least reduced by those affected themselves. These include smoking and any form of stress.

With the help of medically supervised therapy, smoking cessation can be accomplished, if the patient is ready to do so. Reducing stress is often more difficult because several factors interact. First and foremost, it should be checked whether there is any stress from excessive noise pollution. In the next step, those affected would have to consider whether and how this should be reduced.

In order to keep the body from relapse even after the hearing aid has been treated, the immune system must be strengthened. This should be done through a healthy lifestyle (abstinence from alcohol and nicotine) and a balanced diet. If the body is adequately supplied with minerals and vitamins, it can heal inflammation itself. Those affected should also choose ways to actively reduce stress. Exercises such as yoga or Chi Gong as well as autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobsen are suitable for this. Courses are offered in sports centers or physiotherapy. The exercises learned can then be incorporated very well into everyday life.

In the acute stage, coconut oil can be used as a substitute for a cortisone preparation. This also has an anti-inflammatory effect, but does not cause any undesirable side effects.