Sudden hearing loss; Hearing loss that occurs unexpectedly in a person whose hearing function is functioning normally and develops in a much shorter period of time than three days is called sudden hearing loss .
What Kind of Complaints Do Patients Have in Sudden Hearing Loss?
In cases of sudden hearing loss, people sometimes complain of intense ringing or congestion in their ears when they wake up in the morning. Tinnitus is present in the vast majority of patients. Tinnitus in sudden hearing loss can occur some time before hearing loss or simultaneously with hearing loss.
How is Sudden Hearing Loss Diagnosed?
In sudden hearing loss, there are some tests that need to be done with the necessary examinations and examination of the history of the people,
- audiologic tests,
- biochemical tests,
- tests such as radiological examinations and vestibular system tests.
What is the Treatment of Sudden Hearing Loss?
In sudden hearing loss, treatment should be started without losing time. If treatment is started early, the recovery rates of people will increase. The methods applied in treatment are as follows:
- Systemic corticosteroid drugs,
- intratympanic steroid administration,
- hyperbaric oxygen therapy,
- vasodilator therapy
- surgical treatment
What are the Causes of Sudden Hearing Loss?
Sudden hearing loss can develop due to many causes, but in most patients, no causative factor can be found. For this reason, hearing loss in which no causative factor can be found is called "Idiopathic Sudden Hearing Loss" (SIHL).
Is Sudden Hearing Loss more common in Men or Women?
The incidence of sudden hearing loss in one year is known to be 5-20 per 100,000. This rate is observed to be equal in men and women. Although sudden hearing loss is not seen in very young and very old people, it is a common problem in 50-60 years old.
What are the Precautions for Sudden Hearing Loss?
It is useful for people diagnosed with sudden hearing loss to organize their sleeping arrangements in a way that keeps their heads up, to remove all kinds of factors that may cause stress from their lives, to balance salt intake, not to smoke, not to use alcohol and caffeine, and to take precautions against sudden pressure-inducing movements such as sneezing. In addition, in cases of sudden hearing loss and similar conditions, psychological support is observed to have positive effects on treatment.
