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Assymetery in hearing loss
My audiologist told me yesterday that my left ear is more than 10 dB worse than my right ear. My right ear hearing is normal. She says that the loss of hearing in the left ear is not age related. I have been asked to see an ENT specialist who may ask for a CT scan. What are the possible reasons for the large assymetery in my hearing? I don't feel the need for a hearing aid yet since my right ear is sufficient for my daily activities. There is a tendency to do nothing until things get worse.
Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.
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My left ear is much worse than my right, and every audiologist and doctor seemed to think that was normal. But I am older.
I have facial numbness on that side so they did do a CT scan to check for acoustic neuroma. One-sided hearing loss can be related to that but there are generally other symptoms, like mine.
It sounds like your doc is being super cautious in the very very small chance your hearing loss is from something that needs addressing, and maybe because you are younger (are you?) it is more of a concern.
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1 ReactionI have asymmetrical hearing loss too. In my case my left ear is the better ear but still with significant loss, and my right ear a vastly worse. This is inherited from my father. Early on I also had an MRI to assure there was nothing else causing the disparity. I have two top of the line hearing aids with different programs for each ear of course. Life is a challenge even with hearing aids, so I have a blue tooth mic that is a huge help in certain noisy situations.
In your situation I would be tracking this carefully and testing regularly, probably getting another opinion, as well as researching to inform yourself. Many of the steps that have helped my hearing with aids improve have come from my own reading and research. The audiologists agreed and changes were made, but they never suggested these improvements on their own. Please be your own advocate!
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2 ReactionsI recently had 10 dB hearing loss all of a sudden in one ear with speech also sounding scratchy. MRI showed nothing. I was informed I might have Meniere's disease which is hard to diagnose and with no real treatment available.
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1 ReactionI encourage you to see and ENT to rule out anything that might need treatment.
Hearing loss can be caused by different things. Does it run in your family? Are you exposed to noise on the job or in recreation? Have you taken prescribed medication that might have been ototoxic?
What prompted you to see an audiologist in the first place?
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2 ReactionsThanks for your comments.
I am 78.
My audiologist said the measurements indicated a non-age related component in the hearing loss.
I should get a CT scan but I tend to postpone medical tests until things get worse.
I delay things too! I did have a low dose CT scan to check for acoustic neuroma due to facial numbness but I have gotten used to it at this point and not pursuing more as yet. Good luck!
I had been wearing hearing aids for HF loss in both ears for 15 yrs. 77 yrs old. Saw an ENT and was semi diagnosed with Meniere's. Immediate loss in one ear including low frequencies and short ringing in that ear if I shake my head left to right.
sounds like sudden sensory hearing loss—my right ear is deaf and I have the facial numbness, even affects the sinus on that side. been dealing with this for about six months. was real dizzy, that had gotten better
Yes the numbness extends to the sinus on left side.
It is strange that there are many triggers for the numbness and I cannot remember if it started after my noise exposure.
Glad you are less dizzy!