Sudden hearing loss, also called SSNHL, is when your hearing suddenly gets much worse in one ear over a short time. It can happen out of the blue and makes people feel confused and worried about their hearing. The causes can be different, like infections, autoimmune problems, issues with blood flow in the ear, or even a head injury.
A sudden hearing loss is not something you want to wait around for to see if it gets better on its own. If you ever experience a sudden loss, it’s important to seek help right away to find out why it happened and to start treatment quickly. First, call us here at Lemme Audiology (814) 941-7770 so we can see you for a full hearing eval. From there, we will refer you to, and send your results to, an ENT. The ENT will see you to review your results so treatment for your loss can begin.
Treatment could include medicines like steroids or antivirals. Even though doctors know a lot about it, the exact reasons for sudden hearing loss are still tricky, and sometimes your hearing may not completely return. That’s why getting help early and staying in touch with your doctor are really important for people dealing with this.
Abby Barnes, Au.D.
