What Causes Sudden Hearing Loss?
You can lose your hearing all at once, or it might happen slowly. When it occurs suddenly or in 72 hours or less, it is sudden hearing loss. Most people experience sudden hearing loss in one ear. Dizziness and ringing are common when you experience hearing loss, or you might feel pressure in your ears.
Sudden hearing loss, commonly known as sensorineural hearing loss, is an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing either all at once or over a few days. It happens when something is wrong with the inner ear.
The Most Common Causes of Sudden Hearing Loss:
- Earwax or small object blocking the ear canal
- An autoimmune disease
- Head injury
- Ear infection
- Meniere’s disease
- Perforated eardrum
- Hearing a sudden, loud noise
- Side effects of specific medication
- Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis
- Blood circulation problems
How is Sudden Hearing Loss Diagnosed?
If you have sudden hearing loss symptoms, the doctor will rule out conductive hearing loss. The doctor will then conduct a pure tone audiometry test within a few days of symptoms to identify any sensorineural hearing loss. Through this test, the doctor can measure how different frequencies, pitches or sounds need to be before you can hear them. After confirming it is sudden deafness, the doctor will conduct more tests to determine an underlying cause. These tests may include imaging that usually has MRI and magnetic resonance, blood tests and balance tests.
The specialist will then recommend the best course of treatment and how to go about it. If you experience sudden hearing loss and are need to get a hearing test, look no further than Attune. Visit our website or contact us for more information on sudden hearing loss.
