FAQ’s on Hearing Loss
90% of sudden Sensorineural hearing loss has no clear cause, but quick care can make a huge difference.
What is sudden sensorineural hearing loss?
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a condition of the inner ear in which the patient loses the
ability to hear all at once or over a period of up to 72 hours. The problem typically affects just one ear and may occur together with dizziness or ringing in the ears. The window of time for treatment is critical.
What’s the urgency of addressing it?
Though some cases may resolve on their own, sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a serious condition typically requiring immediate treatment for a successful outcome. Left unaddressed, it can yield permanent hearing loss.
Why refer to a hearing care professional?
An audiologist can evaluate, diagnose, and develop a personalized treatment plan to address a patient’s
sudden hearing loss, in partnership with a physician. Quick attention could lead to full recovery, making it important to have a collaborative healthcare partner who understands the urgency and can help.
9 Conditions that can cause SNHL:
- Head injury
- Ototoxic drugs
- Infectious disease
- Circulation problems
- Tumors
- Thyroid disorders
- Inner-ear disorders
- Vascular incidents
- Autoimmune disorders
Fast facts about hearing loss:
Sudden SNHL can arise at any age but more typically affects those in their late 40s or early 50s.
Only about 1 in 10 diagnosed cases of SNHL has a discernible cause, according to public health experts.
Prognosis depends on factors such as cause, severity, patient’s age, and duration between onset and presentation to a clinician.
Research has also linked sudden sensorineural hearing loss to COVID-19, identifying SNHL among nonspecific systems that might signal a COVID-19 case.
American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Sudden Hearing Loss: Update to Guideline to Improve Implementation and Awareness. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Sudden Deafness. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. Could Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Be the Sole Manifestation of COVID-19? An Investigation Into SARS-COV-2 in the Etiology of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Access information is available on request.