Sudden hearing loss and an echo

No, but please go to an ENT doctor right away. From what I know, the people in this group have hearing loss that they are either born with or a gradual thing, or deaf. I think there are a couple that have lost their hearing overnight, but none quite like yours. I personally, have a profound hearing loss that is genetic. All my best to you.
-JoAngela

@joangela Thank You I am going to call the Doctor tomorrow. I put some ear wash and I hear a little better but I feel a lot of pressure. There is an echo still when I talk. I need to fly to Chicago this weekend for a wedding and I am bit nervous.. That I may have excruciating pain. never had this happen before...

@travelgirl
Hi,
Sounds like what they call sudden sensorineural hearing loss and is considered a medical emergency. Could be a simple explanation such as an infection. Insist on an immediate appointment....the longer you wait, the less effective any treatment will be. You might get a hearing test . It might go away on its own but don’t chance that happening. Tell them you are flying in a few days. Do not delay. I have heard of, but not experienced , this. I have late onset gradual sensorineural loss in both ears.
Don’t put anything in your ear and let the ENT doctor know of any medications or OTC drugs or vitamins you are taking.

Let us know the results.

FLMary

Sudden instant hearing loss should be flagged as a medical emergency. I was only treated with a decongestant and should have been treated with steroids immediately. I’m 66 days out, 4 specialists, an MRI and MRA...and now told I will never get my hearing back because treatment should have started on day 1. Spread the word so doctors know it’s an emergency

@sjd324 You are absolutely correct. It really is something that needs to be pushed out into the community. My wife was lucky when she woke up with her sudden hearing loss 2 years ago as I was at the Convention where I was surrounded by hearing specialists. Because we got her to my ENT immediately, she got the steroids and was hearing again a week later. It's a shame general practitioners don't have this info.

@travelgirl, did you see a doctor/ENT specialist today?

Here are some related discussions that you may wish to read:
* Help: Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) - very scary https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/help-sshl-very-scary/
* Sudden Hearing loss--options after steroids are ineffective? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sudden-hearing-loss-options-after-steriods-are-ineffective/

Do give us an update.

@colleenyoung The first appointment I can get is tomorrow at 9:15 am. I called this morning. That was the soonest I could get in. I will let you all know after the appointment. Everything I hear or say is an echo.. It is driving me crazy.

@imallears @sjd324 @mikepa Thank you all for your advice... This all happened on Friday while i was in the middle of the Atlantic. I returned home Saturday and called this morning an ENT. A friend gave me the ENT office to call. So this is the quickest I could get in not knowing a Dr. I figured it was faster to call an ENT then go to my family Dr and wait for a referral..

@colleenyoung @imallears @sjd324 @mikepa Just got back from the Doctors Office. Deafeningly not wax buildup... I have what is called Sudden Hearing Loss and he gave me Steroids to treat it. He said I want commend you for coming in right away. Most people wait to see a Doctor, and then you cannot regain your hearing. I have a fairly good chance of my hearing returning since I acted so fast.

This can be treated in some with steroids for 14 days. He has also ordered an MRI of the ear. Which I will be getting next week..
I have the pharmacy filling the order and I will pick it up today.

It is just the the oddest feeling to have half of your hearing.. I will let you know what the MRI says after I get it done.

Jackie, thank you for getting back with us. This is encouraging that you may regain your hearing. I am so glad you acted quickly. I heard that the window of opportunity is only about 5 days. We are rarely able to see an ENT that quickly. I look forward to hearing how the MRI turns out. I suspect it will not show anything. Sudden hearing loss is not understood by the medical profession.