Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss:

By Jess Dancer, EdD

Posted on: July 17, 2007

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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.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss:

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I am a 35 year old female who suffered recently from this SSHL and had experienced a severe case of it. I would like to know if anyone has tried acupuncture treatment and has there been any success stories as I am currently researching it and giving it much consideration?

Evelyn Pillay	August 31, 2011

As a musician in a rock band, I was subjected to music at high levels. However, not until many years after those days did I suddenly lose hearing in my right ear (dominant side). I had spent the weekend using power tools to grind old paint off of a cottage. Sunday, I awoke to hearing loss and tinitis that never went away. I cannot attribute the condition to the power tools, as in the past, the effects of loudness gradually disappeared. This condition stayed. I don't know what to do.

Brian Benson, Bookkeeper, n/a	February 11, 2010
Watkins Glen, NY

3 years ago, I woke up to a ringing in my right ear that got louder and louder, it lasted about 5 minutes. When the ringing stopped, I could barely hear out of that ear. I called my Doctor, who had me come into the office that same day. Nothing could be found. Arranged to have an MRI a week later, then set an appointment for an ear, nose throat specialist a week after the MRI. MRI came back fine, the specialist said I had lost 60% hearing in my ear, and had I seen him within the first 10 days, he might have been able to save my hearing. He put me on steroids ( which I would not wish my worst enemy to use), but they did nothing.
2 weeks ago, I kept having the sensation that there was water in both my ears, went to a First Care clinic (it was a Sunday), was told that I had fluid in both ears, put on antibiotics and was told if it didn't improve in a few days, to call my regular Dr., It didn't and I called, got in that same day, Dr. said I had a severe ear infection, but saw no fluid in either ear. Told me to continue with RX. and come back in 1 week. 2 days to go until next appointment, 2 RX pills left, It's gotten better but I still feel like there is water in my left (good) ear and now my right ear feels like I'm listening to a seashell. Don't know what they'll find on my next appointment, but I sure hope I can go back to just the slight ringing in my ear, had sort of gotten used to it after all these years, Thought about trying and OTC medicine to see if it would help, any suggestions?, By the way, I have taken 800 IU's of vitamin E for over 40 years.

Sherry	January 20, 2010
Wasington, IL

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