If you wake up one morning and can't hear, you may be experiencing sudden hearing loss. Sudden hearing loss, which is seen between 5 and 20 per 100 thousand in the world and in Turkey, is experienced more intensely, especially during the autumn and spring transition periods. Sudden hearing loss, the cause of which is unknown and cannot be found, can cause permanent hearing loss if not intervened immediately in the first days. Early intervention and correct treatment are very important for sudden hearing loss.
What is sudden hearing loss?
Sudden hearing loss is a condition of unilateral or bilateral hearing loss that occurs suddenly.
Why does it happen?
Viruses are shown as the most important reason for the development of sudden hearing loss, the cause of which is unknown and cannot be found. In particular, the herpes simplex virus, also known as the herpes virus, can cause damage to the hearing cells in the inner ear through infection.
Sudden hearing loss can be caused by any trauma, exposure to very loud noise, pressure change, inner ear disease that the patient is suffering from. , latent brainstem tumors, some systemic diseases, tuberculosis, malaria, some drugs used in lung and kidney diseases, and cancer drugs can also cause sudden hearing loss.
How does it occur?
Sudden hearing loss may sometimes occur as unilateral or bilateral hearing loss, which is noticed by the patient, or the hearing loss may not be noticed at the beginning. Often patients are disturbed by a new ringing or buzzing sound. Sometimes there is a feeling of fullness or congestion in the ear.
What should be done?
In cases of new ear congestion, hearing loss, buzzing or ringing, it may take time. An ear-nose-throat specialist should be consulted immediately. The most important point in the treatment of sudden hearing loss is to make an early diagnosis and start treatment early. The possibility of hearing loss returning increases with early treatment.
Sudden hearing loss, the cause of which is unknown and cannot be found, can cause permanent hearing loss if not intervened immediately in the first days. In case of sudden hearing loss, the first 48 hours of intervention and correct treatment are very important.
How is a definitive diagnosis made?
The definitive diagnosis of sudden hearing loss is made by performing a hearing test (audiological examination). Additionally, audiological tests are used to monitor response to treatment and recovery.
How is the treatment of sudden hearing loss?
The treatment of sudden hearing loss is medication. The most effective medicine is corticosteroids, popularly known as cortisone. Corticosteroids are administered in high doses and for short periods of time in sudden hearing loss. The feared side effects of corticosteroids do not occur in short-term treatment. However, it is necessary to be careful and take precautions when giving cortisone drugs to diabetic patients, high blood pressure patients and people with sensitive stomachs. Additionally, if sudden hearing loss is detected in the first three days, antiviral drugs that are effective against viruses are added to the treatment. However, they are not given after the first three days because they are not effective.
If sufficient improvement is not observed in the audiological test follow-ups after the drug treatment is started, treatment options such as corticosteroid injection through the eardrum into the middle ear or hyperbaric oxygen therapy are also evaluated. In order for drug treatment to be effective, it is important to diagnose the disease and start treatment as soon as possible.
Drug treatment is not applied since it will not be beneficial to give treatment after one month has passed since the development of sudden hearing loss.
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