Sudden hearing loss and an echo

I have heard/read that suspicions are that viruses get in the auditory nervous system and can do havoc on this area in the most in-opportunistic time. When you least expect it the virus strikes the nerves and sets up it's nest in the area. Since antibiotics don't touch the viruses - they lay low and sit and wait out the storm. Early treatment with steroids may or may not help "treat" the offending bug since it depends on the type of virus that attacked the nerves. Association with the sinuses in the area, teeth being worked on and any area harboring associated "bugs" including viruses - these can all travel in the the around your ears, nose, throat, mouth, and brain - they are all in the area of your face. Remember when they talked about having your teeth cleaned and you swallowed during that procedure - you are swallowing what is located in your mouth which is lots of bugs including viruses and bacteria. This can circulate in your gut and if you have a good immune system be - gotten rid of. However, if not, the bugs can make you sick and could give you heart disease - particularly valvular disease. It pays to have a healthy gut to keep things in check. As well as a healthy mouth.

@travelgirl
Hi
Great news and I bet the steroids do the trick. You may have lucked onto a good ENT. So glad you joined Mayo and were able to get good information. Enjoy your upcoming trip.

FL Mary

@tonyinmi
“Sudden hearing loss is not understood by the medical profession.”
You got that right!

FL Mary

@travelgirl, that sounds encouraging. Like the others said, I'm glad you took it seriously and acted fast AND I'm glad that the community here encouraged you that acting fast is critical.

Did the ENT say anything about your pending trip/flight this weekend? Is it recommended not to fly?

@colleenyoung he said I could fly. But I am not feeling comfortable doing so. Since I'm traveling alone. I think I should wait till after the MRI. The pressure in the ear is extremely uncomfortable.
It appears to be worse in the morning, the pressure is extreme. My flight in early too. Saturday is way too soon.

@travelgirl
Hi,
Follow your instincts about flying. You’re only going to stress yourself out which will not benefit your hearing right now .
Not sure about the rules for rescheduling flights I know what I would do in your position especially flying alone, but don’t want to influence you. You know yourself best.

FL Mary

@imallears ..the morning again is worse. I am dizzy just laying in bed. Really think I will cancel my flight. Especially since I am headed to Chicago. It's not a place to travel too alone, not being 100 percent yourself. I need my tough side being there.. lol.. Not a vulnerable demeanor. And right now I'm feeling a bit vulnerable..

I met 3 people yesterday who knew ears. 2 who had experience with this exactly happening to their loved ones. One her husband never regained his hearing . He gets very depressed. The other her daughter ended up with ear operations that fixed her hearing.
Another woman was a retired audiologist??? I think that is what she said. She felt I would eventually regain the hearing.. since I didn't loose it completely.
Have you heard or read your hearing returns rapidly just like it diminished when this happene?
Jackie

@travelgirl
Hi Jackie,
Only heard of two cases years ago and I don’t know the details. One was a family member of one of my daughters patients and he lost his hearing for many months and boom...it came back. She couldn’t find out why and I don’t know if it was one or both ears or if he sought treatment.
I really think that you got to the steroids fast enough to have a positive outcome. Okay...my opinion is to stay home....you’re stressed now and that makes things worse. I can “hear” you trying to convince yourself to cancel. You’ll feel better after you reschedule or cancel and can just focus on healing and staying calm and babying yourself for a bit. You wouldn’t enjoy your trip knowing you have a return flight looming and Chicago? That’s one busy airport. Stressful enough for anybody.

I can’t stress enough how anxiety affects your hearing and worsens tinnitus also. Been wearing hearing aids for 45 years and boy, at this point, if I had a 3D printer and the help of a techie, I would make my own aids and program them myself. I actually repaired an old full shell aid once that cracked. Looked inside and moved the tiny microchips a bit and boom...got it working again.
That was my backup aid for a while. I do a lot of reading about hearing loss and eye problems.

“Dr” Mary signing off in 90 degree for a high FL

@travelgirl HI I just read your post about the ear pressure you are having right now. What did you ENT say about this? I know I wouldn't fly as you know the cabin pressure adds to the pressure in your ears. If you do go you will have a lot to contend with ,very uncomfortable probably

If your doc will write a letter saying you can’t fly (despite his problematic previous advice) you will be able to cancel your flight without cost or penalty.