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Sudden Hearing Loss: Want to connect with others
Hello, I am new to this group. At age 56, I recently suddenly lost all hearing in my right ear, and I am trying to process this significant impact and find support from others who have experienced the same sudden hearing loss. I welcome your feedback. I am in good hands with very experienced doctors at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston, but my treatment plan has not worked to date (oral steroids and ear injections). I have profound loss in right ear, and above average hearing in my left ear. Thanks for your insight and support. Eileen
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Viruses might be the culprit since they live and thrive in our senses. Since we are in the world of influenza and covid right now, I wouldn't be surprised if this could be the cause. Research is taking place right now on how these RNA and DNA bugs interfere in our body's defenses and immune system as well as how they set up shop in parts of our organs.
What kind of Doctors? Where? Do you wear ear buds a lot at high volume? Did you have a COVID test?
Otolaryngologists in Denver and Atlanta. No exposure to loud ear buds or any other loud noises on that note. I tested negative for COVID antibodies.
@megwest512 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You have lost hearing in your left ear and providers are unable to find a cause.
You will see that I have moved your question into a discussion where members have previously discussed sudden hearing loss. I did this so you could more quickly connect and get support. You will notice members like @tonyinmi @julieo4 @sparklegram @ellen307 @imallears have experience with the topic of hearing loss and may be a good resource for you. I also encourage you to scroll back through the comments to find previously shared suggestions.
Below I have also linked past related discussions related to sudden hearing loss.
- Sudden hearing loss and an echo https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sudden-hearing-loss-1/
- Sudden Hearing loss--options after steroids are ineffective? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sudden-hearing-loss-options-after-steriods-are-ineffective/
May I ask what the next step is regarding provider appointments?
@megwest512, this is not uncommon but unfortunately, not well understood. There is only a small window for steroids to be effective, usually about 4 to 5 weeks after onset. I did develop sudden loss of taste and smell so made an appointment with an ENT immediately. I was prescribed a steroid but it had no affect. An MRI revealed nothing unusual. I thought I was going to have to live with the symptoms but I slowly regained my sense of taste and smell. It took almost a year before the senses returned. I hope the same happens with your hearing. If you do not regain the hearing, do not wait too long to do something about it. A hearing aid may help but a cochlear implant may be a better solution. Keep us posted.
Tony in Michigan
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1 ReactionThanks for the info! My current doctor suggested going in for surgery to see if a stapedectomy or ossiculoplasty would be an option. Not sure what else to do
@megwest512 Many times the sudden hearing loss is caused by an acoustic neuroma, a small tumor on the hearing nerve. But that should have been picked up on an MRI - my wife had one 4 years ago. I have otosclerosis, a disease of the middle and inner ear that causes the stapes bone to become brittle and eventually collapse, covering the tine hole leading to the inner ear. I have had 2 stapedectomies to replace the stapes bone in each year. But both collapsed stapes bones showed up on the MRI or CT scan. I would ask the otolaryngologist why he can't see the collapsed stapes bone before letting him cut you open. Good luck and let us know.
Hi Eileen. I had the exact same thing, in my early 60s, woke up one day feeling like i was hearing under water. Let it go for a holiday weekend and when i went to see doctor, he shook his head, said i had sensorineural hearing loss, that he'd try high-dose steroids for 2 weeks but it was probably too late. seems like it needs to be started pretty quickly. on top of that my loss of hearing was replaced in that ear with non-stop tinnitus. so yeah, i felt like you, i grieved my hearing loss, it's a challenge because all sounds seem like they're coming from the same place so it takes getting used to, and the tinniitus is annoying but there are lots of YouTube audio/videos that help with that, if you have it. i guess as someone said above, we deal with it and move on. but it's always there. glad to hear there are other people with this same condition.
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1 ReactionWas your current medical doctor an Ear, Nose Throat Specialist or a general practice MD?
ENT specialist