Sudden Hearing Loss in One Ear

The severity of hearing loss is determined by the factors that have caused it. As it is known, hearing loss is simply defined as reduction in the ability to hear, which may occur gradually over the years (known as age-related hearing loss), or suddenly. When we speak of hearing loss with age, it is a natural part of the course of life, or it can also occur as a result of an ongoing medical condition. However, if you feel or notice that you have suddenly become low on hearing, then something is severely amiss in the body.

Hearing Process

The outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear are the major parts of the ear which play their role in enabling a person to recognize sounds. Sound waves travel through the outer canal and reach the eardrum. As a result, the eardrum is forced to vibrate, and the vibrations are picked up and amplified by the hammer, anvil and stirrup (three small bones of the middle ear). The amplified vibrations then reach the fluid in the snail-shaped structure in the inner ear (known as the cochlea). And finally, the tiny hair that are attached to nerve cells in the cochlea convert the vibrations into electrical signals, which are then fed to the brain. So this is how we are able to hear sounds and recognize them. But due to certain factors, some or all parts of the ear may malfunction thus, causing hearing problems.

What Causes Hearing Loss in One Ear?

According to medical experts, if a person experiences any reduction in his hearing power for 72 hours or less, he/she is known to suffer from sudden hearing loss. In this case, the hearing loss might be more than 75% reduction in perceived loudness. More often than not, this problem is a repercussion of an injury, or infections caused by viruses or bacteria. SHL that is experienced in one ear is more common than the problem occurring in both ears, thus, it is unilateral. Also, the condition itself is uncommon; occurring in 20 out of 100,000 people. The below has listed out the possible factors which can be blamed for causing this condition.

→ Injury to the head, especially one that may cause fracture in the skull can cause extreme loss in hearing. Depending upon the injury, the hearing loss can stay permanent, as well.

→ Surgical procedures on the ear also carry the risk to damage the internal parts of the organ, resulting sudden hearing loss in the operated ear. However, some people may experience the problem years after he surgery.

→ One of the most obvious causes of hearing loss is being exposed to extremely loud noises such as those produced by heavy explosions. The damage can be more severe if the noise is produced in an enclosed space.

→ Viral infections such as encephalitis (brain inflammation), mumps, measles, and rubella are known to cause the problem too. Meningitis (inflammation of the meninges), is a culprit as well.

→ One critical cause of SHL could be an impending stroke.

→ The same could also be a side effect of certain medications.

→ When one is exposed to pressure changes, commonly while flying, SHL may be a possible outcome.

Besides hearing loss, people with SHL may complain against experiencing a ringing sensation in the ear (tinnitus; occurs in 20% - 60% of the patients) or a feeling as if he/she is about to fall (vertigo) or both.

Treatment

As SHL is an outcome of something else, treating the cause would take care of the problem. Usually, if the cause is a mild one, the person is able to hear normally again within a few days. However, there always lurks a chance of the hearing loss to turn into permanent deafness thus, seeking timely treatment is advised. For instance, if bacterial meningitis is the culprit, it would be treated with antibiotics. And if medications are causing the problem, then the patient can discuss with the doctor about getting alternatives.

Some Tips on Prevention

It is very important to protect your ears when you are in situations which risk your hearing ability. For instance, if your workplace leaves you vulnerable to damage your ears from extremely loud noises, then it is a must that you use specially designed earmuffs. Such gear helps in bringing down the loudest of noises to an accepted level. Also, if you think you have developed sudden hearing loss in one ear, or are susceptible to develop one, then going for regular ear test may prepare you well from preventing permanent hearing damage.

In some cases, SHL can turn into a chronic problem and permanent too. So in such situations, use of hearing aids, or cochlear implants may be recommended for managing the condition.