Suddenly installed idiopathic hearing loss

Srour Essam , M1654

 What is Sudden Hearing Loss?

Sudden hearing loss (SSHL) is also known as

sudden deafness. It is defined as losing the
hearing very quickly, typically only in one ear.
It can happen instantly or over a span of
several days. During this time, sound
gradually becomes muffled or faint.
 What Causes Sudden Hearing Loss?
The exact cause of sudden hearing loss is
unknown, therefore, one theory for its cause is
stress. A hectic environment or severe time
pressure at work could lead to circulatory
disorders, potentially leading to sudden
hearing loss.
Other possible causes of sudden hearing loss
include:
Viral infections or reactivations (e.g. herpes or
chickenpox)
Arteriosclerosis and subsequent circulatory disorders
Metabolic disorders, such as diabetes or high cholesterol
A ruptured oval or round window
Cervical spine injury (e.g. whiplash)
Elevated platelet aggregation (blood clots)
Occlusion (thrombosis) of the inner ear’s vessels
Autoimmune diseases
Previous acute otitis media (middle ear infection)
 Types of Sudden Hearing Loss
Sudden idiopathic hearing loss
This is the most common (and sudden) type of hearing loss. Extensive
examination cannot determine an organic cause.

Stress-related sudden hearing loss

Stress is a frequent trigger for sudden hearing loss. A person’s medical
history can play an important role in diagnosing sudden hearing loss,
and may contain vital clues that could indicate possible causes of their
current hearing difficulty. In addition to medical history, other
diagnostic methods, such as Fowler’s pure-tone audiometry, brainstem
electrical response audiometry (BERA), or the measurement of
otoacoustic emissions (OAE), serve to exclude a diseased acoustic nerve
as the cause of impaired hearing.
 The Symptoms of Sudden Hearing Loss

Ear pressure and/or tinnitus are typically the first signs of

sudden hearing loss. Symptoms occur at once or within a few
days, usually in one ear, and can vary in severity. In worst case
permanent deafness is possible.
!!! Earache is not a common symptom of sudden hearing loss.
Pain in one ear has different causes and may indicate another
clinical issue, such as an infection. However, the occurrence of
a muffled sound in the ear or dizzy spells may be a symptom of
hearing loss.

The most common symptoms of sudden hearing loss include:

-Occurrence of hearing loss without a recognizable cause

-The absence of an earache
-Hearing loss in only one ear

Accompanying symptoms include:

-Dizziness
-Loss of sensation in the outer ear
-Ear pressure
-Tinnitus
Diagnosing Sudden Hearing Loss
A diagnosis for sudden hearing loss is determined
through process of elimination. Various examination
procedures (e.g. blood pressure measurement, blood
tests, ear microscopy or ultrasound, and MRIs) are all
performed to obtain the best results .
An ENT doctor can use otoscopy to discover
obstructions or injuries in the ear canal. By using
hearing tests (tuning fork test or pure-tone
audiometry). A pure-tone audiogram is performed
during the diagnostic process to determine if the
person has pan cochlear sensorineural hearing loss.
 Sudden Hearing Loss Treatment
Circulation-enhancing (rheological) medication
In the event of sudden hearing loss, the inner ear’s blood
circulation is reduced or impaired. Circulation can be improved
with circulation-enhancing medication, which can also include
cortisone to prevent any swelling (anti-edema treatment).

Local anesthesia to block inhibited nerves

Local anesthetics like procaine and lidocaine -these
anesthetics block nerves that potentially lead to vascular
constriction.
Hearing aids
Hearing loss that is combined with tinnitus should be
treated with hearing aids that generate a soft noise to
distract the individual experiencing tinnitus symptoms.
This function is referred to as a ‘noiser’ and is ideal for
very quiet hearing environments.

For particularly severe cases

Dialysis (apheresis) is performed if the sudden hearing
loss is particularly severe because during dialysis, the
blood is cleansed of coagulation-promoting substances.
This drastically improves blood flow and circulation,
which helps alleviate sudden hearing loss.
 Complications Following Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden hearing loss may result in various

complications, including persistent or permanent
hearing loss or complete deafness. Another
possible long-term complication is the
development of tinnitus, which can also be
accompanied by a permanent feeling of pressure
in the ear.
THANK YOU!