Today I was testing a client’s hearing who mentioned he lost his hearing suddenly but it
all happened a few months ago and the hearing hasn’t recovered. A sudden hearing loss is a rapid loss of hearing that can happen to a person all at once or over a 3 day period. It is far more serious than an ear plugged with wax and immediate treatment is crucial.
A build-up of wax, feels like fullness in the ear or a clogged feeling. A sudden hearing loss is more than that; it is often accompanied with dizziness or ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
If medical treatment is provided within 48 hours, the hearing can probably be preserved. If clients seek advice after that, permanent hearing loss is more likely.
There are many possible causes; one of them could be an autoimmune disease, which is an inflammatory condition of the inner ear. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks cells in the inner ear that are mistaken for a virus or bacteria.
While in some cases, a cause for Sudden Hearing loss can be determined, it appears that the vast majority of people won’t know why it will happen to them. It can come as quite a shock to someone who has never experienced hearing loss before – in fact it can be extremely stressful. The key reason to seek medical advice immediately is to minimize any potential long-term damage and to give the patient the best chance of recovering their hearing.
Katia Peeters