In 2006, Christine wrote the following on the Hearing Loss Web Forum:¹

"I'm a 31 year old female. Just 3 weeks ago I suddenly couldn't hear on my right ear any more. I feel pressure and ringing in my ear. I went to the ENT and audiologist, and found that that I have SSHL, and he told me that my hearing may never return. He also did the MRI and blood tests for me, and everything seems normal. I took a 6 day course of steroids, but it didn't help at all. I am so devastated and stressed out about my hearing. I went to several Chinese acupuncturists and herb doctors, but so far I haven't had much improvement.I'm really worried if this is going to last forever, and will I lose my hearing on my left ear too. Has anyone ever recovered from this??? Has anyone had improvement with herbs and or acupuncture? Any information is greatly appreciated!"

There is both good and bad news about Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) for Christine and the many thousands of Americans who experience this perplexing and distressing condition each year. However, there will be more about that later..

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Definition, Causes

SSHL was initially described in the medical literature over 60 years ago. It is defined as a hearing loss of at least 30 dB at three connected frequencies, either occurring rapidly or over a period of up to three days. The condition affects only one ear in 90 percent of cases and may be first noted upon waking up or when using the affected ear alone, as on the telephone. A noticeable popping sound may accompany the loss, along with vertigo and tinnitus.

Each year, SSHL affects up to 20 people per 100,000, or as many as 60,000 people in the United States. It occurs most often in adults aged 30-60, although it happens in children and older adults as well. Proposed etiologies of the condition include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, labyrinthine membrane ruptures, vascular disorders, neurologic conditions and neoplastic growths.