#1

by Michael K. Wynne, Allan O. Diefendorf, and Michael H. Fritsch
Radio personality Rush Limbaugh recently brought public attention to sudden hearing loss when he revealed his own hearing loss to millions of listeners and subsequently announced that he won’t be deaf for long, as he will receive a cochlear implant in early 2002.
Like Limbaugh, an estimated 4,000 people will develop sudden sensorineural hearing loss each year in the United States. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss occurs across the entire age spectrum with equal prevalence in men and women, but most patients are between 50–60 years of age. More than half also experience tinnitus, aural fullness, and/or vertigo.
The hearing loss often starts as a sudden drop in hearing in one ear—only 2% develop bilateral hearing loss. The characteristics of the hearing loss and whether hearing will improve, fluctuate, stabilize, or progressively deteriorate depends on the underlying etiology. Only 10% of all patients will have their sudden hearing loss definitively diagnosed. For most, the hearing loss is diagnosed as sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss.
Numerous etiologies can lead to sudden sensorineural hearing loss. A partial list includes autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED), compromised vascular supply to the inner ear, intracochlear membrane breaks, neurologic and neoplastic lesions, traumatic insults, and viral infections. Patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome (EVAS) or syphilis also may have sudden sensorineural hearing loss that is both fluctuating and progressive. The table on page 7 lists additional etiologies associated with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Sudden hearing loss—like a sudden loss of vision—is a medical emergency. An immediate otologic and audiologic work-up is paramount and should be scheduled as soon as possible. With some etiologies, expeditious treatment can recover or stabilize the patient’s hearing. The otolaryngologist must increasingly rely on the judgment and contributions of the audiologist. Likewise, the audiologist requires the input of the otologist in the evaluation of the patient with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The practice of each discipline should be in conjunction with each other—not to the exclusion of the other. An audiologic-otologic team will provide the patient with the highest quality care.
Examination

The initial examination of the patient’s complaint should begin with a thorough history and physical examination. It’s not uncommon for a patient to notice hearing loss after a specific event, such as receiving a trauma to the head, straining to lift an object, flying, scuba diving, or exposure to loud sound. Other patients may report a history of recent or concurrent viral or upper respiratory infections, recent illness or surgeries, or changes in their prescriptions/medications.
Patients who note hearing loss on awakening present a special problem: the loss could have developed instantaneously or over the course of several hours while sleeping. In all cases, the patient’s medical history should be reviewed for metabolic, vascular, and neurologic diseases and disorders. Although a complete head and neck examination should be conducted to rule out external and middle ear disorders, this examination will be negative in most cases of sudden and/or progressive hearing loss.
Laboratory studies should be conducted based on the patient’s complaint, history, and suspected etiologies. Hematologic examination includes complete blood count, determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and sickle-cell test. Urinalysis is completed as well as serum chemistry for sodium, potassium, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, creatinine, blood glucose, uric acid, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Serologic testing for syphilis and HIV and a Lyme titer are also conducted. Depending on the patient’s history, testing for lymphocyte transformation to rule out AIED is useful. A CT scan and MRI should be obtained to examine the physical integrity of the skull base, temporal bone structures, and soft tissues of the head and neck and rule out identifiable lesions.
The audiologic test battery should include tympanometry, acoustic reflexes, pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and otoacoustic emission testing. Electrophysiologic tests, including early-, middle-, and late-evoked potentials, and vestibular assessment, including electronystagmography and rotary chair testing, may also be conducted. The frequency of audiometric testing depends on the identified etiology, the medical intervention initiated, the rate of progression of any hearing loss, the degree to which the hearing loss fluctuates, and the patient’s reports of any changes in hearing or overall health.
We have found that individuals with sudden sensorineural hearing loss have a wide variation in hearing thresholds and word recognition abilities—one patient had a 105 dB change in thresholds over a week. Some patients have frequent hearing changes, whereas others have a more stepwise pattern of progression or fluctuation in hearing. In all cases, clear communication about changes in hearing and subsequent alterations in treatment plans is paramount between patient, neurotologist, and audiologist.
Treatment

The treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss depends on identification of the etiology of the hearing loss. If no diagnosis is made, empiric treatment may be initiated in hope of a response. But the type of treatment remains controversial because no regimen has been clearly demonstrated as effective. The low incidence of sudden hearing loss, the large number of cases with an undefined etiology, and the high rate of spontaneous recovery for sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss makes the study of treatment efficacy difficult at best. The following general treatment categories have been reported: vasodilators, diuretics, anticoagulants, plasma expanders, corticosteroids, antiviral agents, surgery, vitamins, and combined therapy.
High doses of steroids are often used to treat a patient whose hearing loss is associated with AIED or EVAS or is idiopathic in nature. Typically, prednisone is used at 1mg/kg per day for 2–4 weeks, rapidly tapering the drug if there is a complete recovery of hearing. In cases where hearing does not completely recover, reducing the dosages of the medication should occur much more slowly. The best outcome is achieved when steroids are administered as quickly as possible after the onset of the drop in hearing. These patients also may benefit from diuretics; a low-sodium diet; a restriction in the use of stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco; and avoidance of excessive physical activity and noise exposure.
In treating sudden hearing loss due to a vascular disorder, the patient may receive carbogen, a combination of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide. As an inpatient procedure, carbogen inhalation therapy is given for about 10 minutes each 6–8 hours over a three-day period by a respiratory therapist. This treatment is thought to increase the oxygen in the perilymph by dilating the cochlear artery. In some geographic regions, carbogen treatments are not covered by insurance.
Patients who are found to have a structural defect such as a perilymph fistula or acoustic neuroma may benefit from surgery. The preservation of hearing depends on the degree of structural anomaly and its impact on the peripheral auditory mechanism.
Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices may be the remaining treatment options to address the communication needs of patients who do not completely recover their hearing through medical intervention. Hearing aids with multi-memories and/or volume-control wheels offer a larger number of options to appropriately fit the dynamic changes in the hearing loss over time. These systems offer two advantages. First, patients have the flexibility to adjust the characteristics of their amplification systems as their hearing changes. A second advantage is that the devices give many patients a sense of control over their communication abilities in spite of a physiological system that may change because of factors beyond their control.
When the hearing loss progresses and stabilizes in the severe-to-profound range, cochlear implantation becomes a reasonable means to address the patient’s communication needs. There are no simple rules or algorithms regarding when and how to implant these patients, as several factors contribute to the decision for implantation.
Sudden and progressive hearing loss is a complex disorder that does not lend itself to simple solutions or static interactions. We find that patients are best served when providers have a commitment to the science and art of clinical practice—and to a truly interdisciplinary approach.
Michael K. Wynne is an associate professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and Purdue University. He serves as an associate editor for the American Journal of Audiology and is the coordinator of Special Interest Division 9, Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Children. Contact Wynne by email at mwynne@iupui.edu.
Allan O. Diefendorf is an associate professor at Indiana University School of Medicine and Purdue University. He serves as the director of audiology and speech-language pathology at Riley Hospital for Children, University Hospital, and Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis, IN.
Michael H. Fritsch is a neurotologist and an associate professor at Indiana University School of Medicine. He has authored numerous publications and co-authored several manuscripts with audiologists across a wide range of topics related to the evaluation and management of hearing disorders.

©1997-2005 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association -

#2

I have single sided hearing loss; my ENT said it is permanent. I had been going through a “greiving” process, and I was about to accept this diagnosis - but wait! - their may be something that was overlooked!

That glimmer of hope came as I read and reread this article about Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. I have all the symptoms described, and as the article explained, “If no diagnosis is made, an empiric treatment may be initiated in hope of a response”. It is worth a try, but the optimum window for treatment is closing; “this should be treated as an emergency”, the authors said.

I contacted the ENT offices of the authors at the Indiana University Campus 15 miles from my town. I tried to get an appointment with them for a second opinion, but as you probably guessed, they were booked. They suggested another ENT office and I have an appointment with one of their doctors on 4/02/07.

Somewhere between 2/12/07 and 3/02/07 a viral infection from a bad cold was a catalist for a 93% hearing loss in my right ear. I cannot pinpoint the time of the loss because severe mucus blockage was effecting my hearing, but I believe most, if not all, of the loss occured toward the end of this period. I am a 56 year old Leukemia (ALL) survivor; I am sure all the chemo and radiation my body suffered through has been a contributing factor.

Doctor Visit Time Line Diary… My Cold - to - 93% Hearing Loss and Beyond:

2/12/07…Had appointment with my Leukemia Oncologist today. Complained about severe nasal/sinus blockage. I was experiencing “awareness” and dizziness issues. My hearing was reduced, but no more than any other bad nasal blockage events that I have had in the past. He ruled out cancer with an MRI, but the MRI showed “Marked opacification of the left maxillary sinus with minimal mucosal thickening of the left ethmold cells; otherwise no significant signal of abnormality” My Oncologist ordered an ENT visit.

3/02/07…Had appointment with my first ENT today. It was scheduled on 3/16/07 but I insisted the ENT see me today because my right ear hearing seems to have deteriorated over the past few days and my nasal/sinus blockage was no better. He felt I had Meniers Disease, but needed more tests. He perscribed Augmenton and Mucinex, ordered Audiology test and Balance assessment. Audiology test was performed today;

Audiogram Results
…R…L.
250…30…25
500…45…25
1000…45…15
2000…85…60
4000…80…60
8000…90…45
Discrimination: Right:8% with 60db Masking - Left:84%

3/14/07…Balance Assessment was today. “VGN revealed a near complete loss of horizontal canal peripheral vestibular function. Rotary chair results agree. CHAMP was attempted but inconclusive due to degree and configuration of hearing loss”.

3/19/07…Second appointment with my first ENT today. All tests were in and his diagnosis was permanent right ear hearing loss. He ordered balance therapy, another visit in 90 days, and escorted me to his hearing aid department.

As mentioned earlier, because of this article on Sudden Sensorineural Loss, I am getting a second opinion on 4/02/07. I am looking forward to my new ENT’s opinion. Even if he is not sure, I hope the ENT will initate treatment in hope of a response.

4/02/07…First appointment with my new ENT today. Got second opinion from him; He agreed! I am now taking prednisone. The dose will be slowly tapered down from 30mg three times a day to no dosage on 4/20/07. I will see him that day to get an audiogram to confirm success. If I am no better, we will do localized prednizone injections. It so happens the new ENT spent five years of his schooling in the offices of the authors of this article.

The ENT prepared me for the worst because regaining hearing will be difficult with my 93% hearing loss. I think success though should be measured by how hard I try. If I do not regain any hearing, I know I tried - I can live with that. If I did not see this article until after the window of opportunity, I would not have been able to try. That would make me angry and I would have regrets the rest of my life.

4/20/07…Second appointment with my new ENT today. SUCCESS!!! My hearing in my right ear is improving!

Audiogram Results Right Ear:
…3/02/07…4/20/07
250…30…30
500…45…30
1000…45…30
2000…85…55
4000…80…70
8000…95…45

The prednisone has started a healing process that is causing my hearing to come back. I can hear intermittant “clicking” sounds in my right ear. My ENT believes this is nerve endings reparing themselves. Warning about prednisone; this drug is nasty. I am a veteran prednisone user from my Leukemia fight - but wow! This drug disrupted my daily routine, but my hearing is precious so it was worth it.

I go back to my new ENT on 5/07/07 to see if I have any more improvement. If I have improvement, we will stay the course of doing nothing. If there is not a lot improvement my ENT may start localized prednisone injections through my right eardrum.

5/07/07…Third appointment with my new ENT today. Hearing in my right ear is improving - a little!

Audiogram Results Right Ear:
…3/02…4/20…5/07
250…30…30…30
500…45…30…30
1000…45…30…30
2000…85…55…40
4000…80…70…70
8000…95…45…40

My ENT felt I would benefit form localized prednisone injections through my right eardrum. There is a small risk in doing this, but my ENT and I feel the potential for hearing improvement is worth the risk. He did the injection, and it was nearly painless.

I go back to my ENT on 5/22/07 to see if the localized injection has improved my hearing. At that time we will decide weather or not to do more injections.

5/22/07…Fourth appointment with new ENT today. I am disappointed. My hearing has not changed. My ENT said that further treatment with prednisone injections will not be effective. I tried and did regain some of my hearing through predisone treatment. I only wished these treatments had started earlier - I may have salvaged more of my hearing.

1/11/09… Nothing has changed since my 5/22/07 entry. I have tried to adapt to single sided hearing loss. This loss has caused ballancing issues. If a policeman gave me a field sobriety test, I would fail it and I never consume alcohol. I no longer trust myself on ladders or high places. I think the one thing I miss most is the ability to identify where sound comes from. My 5.1 sound system sounds no better than a single speaker radio.

1/31/11… In my 2/12/07 entry I noted that a MRI showed “Marked opacification of the left maxillary sinus with minimal mucosal thickening of the left ethmold cells…” In layman’s terms, my left sinus cavity below my eye was stopped up. I recently learned that there is a small opening that drains this sinus cavity into the nose and it had grown shut causing the sinus cavity to be forever filled with fluid. The symptoms of this blockage was evident to me 25 years ago, but the ENTs I visited through the years would prescribe nasal sprays and send me on my way. But my new smart ENT did another MRI last year (2/10/10); he found the very same problem! With surgery he reopened this opening and WALA - no more sinus problems! With this simple surgery my life has been changed. I believe the sinus cavities’ inability to drain created a “virus factory” that resulted in all kinds of health issues over the past 25 years; issues like severe headaches, colds, flues, etc. Before the surgery I had headaches on a daily basis that could only be stopped by $50 Immatrex injections or $29 Zomeg pills. Now I NEVER get headaches! Maybe this blockage was even a part of the reason I got Acute Leukemia.

As noted earlier, at the time of my sudden hearing loss I was suffering from severe nasal blockage. I believe this nasal blockage was started by my sinus “virus factory”. It’s reasonable to assume this was a catalyst that caused my single sided hearing loss.

I wish I had this surgery 25 years ago. Learn from my experience. If you have sinus problems find a good ENT and persist in getting a fix - your hearing may be at risk.

If you have Sudden Sensorineural Loss IT MAY BE TREATABLE, but it must treated as an emergency. If your ENT says it is permanent, GET A SECOND OPINION - NOW! You will not regret it. If you act faster than I did, you may be able to salvage more hearing than I did.

Thanks for reading and replying with your post. Jerry

#3

Thanks for the detailed post, Jerry. I’ve just had SHL in my left ear and have been on the prednisone for a week. I will test again Dec. 2nd. 2008.

Glad to see you are a survivor and your story gives me hope.

-Paul

#4

Hi Jerry, Paul . . . I too have SHL in one ear, the left ear. It occurred after my heart bypass operation about a year ago. A few days after the operation, while in the hospital, I suddenly noticed the loss; up to that point I was more concerned with other issues including tubes still placed inside me and pain.

After my release my ENT treated me with high doses of prednisone over two weeks gradually reducing the dose. After the treatment was over there was no improvement. Next was an MRI; results negative. A few months later we tried steroid injections into the ear. Did this about 4 times. I didn’t notice any difference but test showed slight improvement, they also show that my right ear had a slight loss as well. Hearing was below what would be normal for a 55 yr old male, so this had made life and hearing at time a challenge.

Now over a year later I’m finally facing the fact that this is not coming back and looking into options . . . hearing aid. Doing research into an area I never thought I’d be concerned about. :frowning:

#5

Woke up on April’s fools day with almost no hearing in my left ear. This was after a very bad cold which lasted for a week. First dr said probably an allergy. Went to ENT about 2 wks later. Went on high dose of prednisone and most of the hearing returned. Then a month or so later, back where I started. I went back and forth between several ENT’s, took several doses of prednisone. Finally referred to a specialist in hearing loss. He put me on a low sodium diet, niacin, and a direutic. His diagnosis is cochlear hydrops or excess fluid in cochlea. He put me thru many tests and ruled out about everything else he could think of. This even included an MRI of my head.

After 2-3 weeks, hearing back to normal and I thought he was a genius. It was normal for about 3 months, then back to loss. Also, had tinnitus with this. To make a long story short, this went on for over 1 year, back and forth. Finally, he recommended a hearing aid. I got one this week but probably should have waited until my hearing was worse than it is now. It is pretty good in the speech range, not so good in very low and high frequencies. He said this also fluctuation could be caused by allergies and recommended allergy tests. The goal would be to “stabilize” the hearing in that ear, but he said I should go ahead and get the hearing aid (for that ear only).

I have had no dizziness (Menieres).

#6

[LEFT][/LEFT][LEFT][RIGHT][CENTER]: [/CENTER][/RIGHT][/LEFT]Hello
I to suffer from sudden hearing loss in my left ear.I woke up Sat. morning
Feb 28th made a pot of coffee walked down to my den sat down and bam!!:eek:
my left ear started ringing very high picthed and within a few seconds I was
deaf in my ear. This was aprox 6 am I called my boss around 1 pm who just
happens to be a Doctor he advised me to go to a walk in clinic right away.
I did. The Dr. at the clinic looked in my ears could not find anything.Then he
performed a hearing test ( put me in a booth with head phones) I guess I
flunked it really bad he said I was pretty much deaf in my left ear I could
hear very loud noises. He then sent me to the ER for a MRI of my brain which
was normal.He then prescribed medrol dosepak and valtrex and set me up with
an ENT on mon morning. He confirmed the Dx. Sudden Sensorineural hearing Loss. He gave me 80mg of depo medrol IM . Tues morning the vertigo hit and
I mean HIT.I couldn’t sit up, everytime I did It felt like I was body slammed
back into the bed. I feel extremely tired and of course off balance. It’s been almost 3 weeks I have a tiny bit of hearing back. The vertigo comes and goes.I’m really not sure it’s vertigo It feels like I’m looking at an esclator jerking . Today I had a hair cut lying back in the chair to have my hair washed sent me into the esclator jerks for 4 hours.Does this get better??

#7

I have taken steroid doses on several occasions. During the first year, my hearing would return to almost normal for a short period, then revert back. Fortunately, never had vertigo or dizziness which my ENT always asked about on visits. He said this would indicate full blown menieres disease. My condition was originally diagnosed as cochlear hydrops or excessive fluid in the cochlear. Last Dec got a HA for my left ear and it has helped my hearing. Most of the time I do not notice the tinnitus. My hearing loss in mostly in the higher frequencies. Originally it was in the lower frequencies.

#8

How is the vertigo now? Mine was extreme and after about 9 mos mostly gone. It returns from time to time w/out warning. Just BAM! I’ve learned that especially when getting up in the morning to do this slowly. Very slowly roll over from side to back, very slowly begin to sit up but not quite all the way and stay propped on pillows. If that works, I then swing my legs over to put feet on floor but stay seated that way for a few minutes and then…only then do I stand up.

If the lights go out, I have absolutely no balance and must be holding onto something. My body has to be braced against something to look thru lense of camera to take a shot. (This is “interesting” because I’m a photographer.)

As I’m sure you have learned by now there are many causes, sometimes cures, sometimes no definite answers except that various things can be absolutely ruled out with testing. For me, vertigo will always be an occasional visitor. It may be a sudden minor bout or it may come as a sudden severe bout w/ the severe onset and months before I can trust my ability to get just from one side of the room to the other.

Let us know how you are doing!

#9

joseph, my story is similar to yours, except that when i woke up with the pressure in the ears and sudden loss, i had already had pretty severe hearing loss form infant meningitis. my doctor is allegedly the leader in this particular type of ear disorder (dr. derald brackmann of the house ear clinic in LA) and keeps me on a diuretic (HCTZ) and potassium pills to keep my potassium levels up. we try steroids whenever i have a flare up of the hydrops. the first time i went on steroids, i started a good 3-4 weeks after the pressure began because no doctor (even the ENTs) knew what was going on until I got referred to dr. brackmann. it took about a good 6 weeks for the pressure to go away, but it did the same way it came – i just woke up one morning and it was gone. but those two months were terrible. no dizziness or anything, but i was hearing different tones in both ears (disharmonic diplacusis) and i couldn’t hear anything. felt like i was underwater most of the time.

i was pretty much fine for three years taking the HCTZ and potassium pills. i lost a bit of hearing after the first episode, but i switched to a digital aid from an analog aid and that helped. this past week, i had my second episode with the fullness. i started steroids much sooner, and it seems like it’s getting under control.

one possibility i’m thinking of investigating is some kind of weird allergy. this doctor at the house ear clinic in LA (http://houseearclinic.com/dereberyJ.htm) does a battery of tests to check for rare allergies that can cause these hydrops.

good luck you, man. at least one person out there knows how freaking annoying it can be.

#10

damaja,

Let me know if you decide to have allergy tests and the results. As one of my posts mentioned, my ent has recommended those tests since nothing else has been a permanent solution. I haven’t proceeded with the tests.

My hearing and tinnitus was much improved after getting the ha 6 months ago. In the last month or two, it is again fluctuating as in the past. Today, I go in for a hearing test with the idea of getting another program added to my ha (oticon epoq) if the hearing has changed as much as I think. The one thing that makes a difference: a good nights sleep. If I sleep really well and at least 7 hrs, the tinnitus is very low early in the am, but usually returns later in the day. Stress is also a factor.

#11

Sudden hearing loss (SHL) is defined as greater than 30 dB hearing reduction, over at least three contiguous frequencies, occurring over 72 hours or less. It occurs most frequently in the 30 to 60 year age group and affects males and females equally. Although called sudden, it seems unlikely that hearing loss is abrupt but rather it probably evolves over a few hours.

#12

I read all of a sudden story.It happened to me after six weeks ago. I went to bed and woke up hearing and the right ear. It was the first Saturday of Labor Day - no doctor. Mondays Memorial Day, I called my pharmacy, antibiotics and decongestant tablets and asked me to call the doctor on Tuesday morning. Fortunately, we live in a very small town, otolaryngologist. Tuesday morning I called and were able to return to his father. After several attempts, the patient said:I know that 75% of my right ear. He prescribed prednisone for twelve days.

#13

People suffering from meningitis hearing loss which resulted in deafness until appropriate treatment has been administered is called experience. This problem makes a common infection and measles glsuwn C is safe.

#14

Those endless semi-nonsense spam are really tedious.

They are only there to create links to websites so that Google boosts their rankings.

#15

Tis strange how things pan out. 18 years ago I had perfect hearing, I woke up one morning with a viral flu (Russian flu) left ear went down and I had this horrendous noise in my ear… so I went to the Doc and he gave me a decongestant! At this point I must add I was living in Shetland at the time there is only one hospital there, with no ENT department the nearest being Aberdeen a 14 hour ferry ride away! I went back to the Doc one week later he apologised and said he should have given by antibiotics!!! Suffice to say I was angry, but I thought we all make mistakes some bigger than others!!! Anyway, approximately one year later my other ear went down! Some say fate loads 2 bullets in your gun, just in case the first one misses! The night before, I was on the drink, woke up with the mother of all hangovers, but I could hear this, tic, tic, tic, I thought at first it was my hangover, but alas no, I got up to discover it was the clock in the the next room and my hearing had returned, but life can be mean and at times it seems so unfair… An hour later both ears were down with a completely different noise in my other ear, oh the joys lol :smiley: One year later I was diagnosed with meniers, I spent the next few years mainly on my back with vertigo and life wasn’t much fun! Meniers eventually burned its self out, but it severely affected what little residual hearing I had left…

I believe we all adapt and whatever life throws our way, you’re instinct for survival kicks in and yes depression also, but you, come out the other end a stronger person once you regain your confidence! I now work as a team leader in a social work department and there is much joy in my life, my main regret is music, but such is life and I have evolved and ultimately I have moved on :smiley:

Cheers Kev.

#16

Great story Kev,
It shows that none of us should take our hearing for granted, and that you are a survivor. You are a positive person who is due for a good break. Hope the new aids work well.
John

#17

Here is my story.

Sat at work this Tuesday and suddenly by hearing in my right ear just vanished only to be replaced by very high tinnitus. Since I usually have a lot of problems with wax buildup I figured that I just had some cleaning to do. Later that night I treated with debrox that did flush out some wax but the hearing was still at zero. By then it was too late to visit any doctor so I thought getting some sleep would be an option.

Next morning the situation was the same, called the doctor and got a slot in immediately at the local specialist hospital. They did some tests (blood work, interview) and concluded with prescribing steroids and anti-viral agents and also booked an CT which is yet to be done. I also got remitted for a possible lumbar perforation test to test the spinal fluid for any traces of lyme disease (had a tick this summer) that would have migrated towards the nervous system. But the doctors there opted out since I wasn’t showing enough other symptoms of the before mentioned.

So now I am on day 4 without any changes, waiting to see if the meds have any effect. Also waiting for that CT to show any deformations or otherwise. Have another app in 1.5 weeks with the doctor.

Needless to say I’m quite worried, but still happy its just on one ear. But life has become challenging these last days, I have trouble hearing people - can’t find ringing phones to save my life and the increased tinnitus is making it hard to concentrate.

I’m healthy otherwise, I have narrow Eustachian tubes - something I suffer from when scuba diving but otherwise I feel fine. Don’t like this waiting phase, feels like time is of the essence in the case of SD.

#18

Thank you John for your kind comments:D

Krillo, I feel your pain! For me, “Tinnitus” is probably worse than the actual hearing loss, if I was given a choice, then I would be happy to become profoundly deaf and to hear nothing but silence again…That would indeed be heaven!!! I am a signer, I can and do use BSL (British Sign Language) so I would be confident enough to get bye on BSL and Lip reading! Don’t get me wrong, you do adapt and your mind will actually over time block out the white noise, but as soon as you think about it, well its back with a vengence, it is a “Vicious circle” as it creates stress which in turn produces even louder tinnitus and more stress…

You will eventually cope with it, aint gonna say it will be easy as I struggled severely in the early years, I was suicidal, had depression, sleep deprivation, but once I bottomed out, then the only way was up!!!

Hopefully your meds will work and if not, my advice would be; don’t try to fight it, just accept it as part of your life now, part of you!

Cheers, Kev.

#19

As I’m sure you have learned by now there are many causes, sometimes cures, sometimes no definite answers except that various things can be absolutely ruled out with testing. For me, vertigo will always be an occasional visitor