Causes of Sudden Hearing Loss

A rapid loss of hearing is referred to as sudden hearing loss or sudden deafness. There is a sudden decrease or loss of hearing ability in one or both ears. Sudden hearing loss is a type of hearing loss of sensorineural origin. It may be accompanied by ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus or static sound in the ears and/or dizziness at the time or 12 hours prior to sudden hearing loss occurs. Sudden hearing loss is considered as a medical emergency. It may result from dysfunction of middle or external ear. It is referred to as sudden conductive hearing loss. Hearing loss may also be due to dysfunction of inner ear or nerve. This condition is called as sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

There are various potential causes of sudden hearing loss. Some of the possible causes are:

• Trauma, such as head injury
• Certain infectious diseases
• Immunologic diseases such as Cogan’s syndrome
• Abnormal tissue growth
• Toxic causes, such as snake bite
• Circulatory problems in the inner ear due to artery blockage
• Ototoxic drugs
• Neurologic causes, such as multiple sclerosis
• Sudden pressure changes in the ear during scuba diving and airplane travel
• Previous ear surgery
• Unusual physical exertion or strain
• Recent upper respiratory infection
• Certain drugs, such as birth control pills
• Smoking
• Acoustic trauma (sudden or prolonged exposure to loud noise)

Some of the causes of sudden conductive hearing loss are middle ear infection, infection of external ear, ear wax blocked in the ear canal, or fluid accumulation within middle ear. Fluid accumulation may be due to sudden changes in the air pressure.

Some of the causes of sudden sensorineural hearing loss are viral infections, vascular compromise, immunologic disorders and intracochlear membrane ruptures.