Sudden hearing loss is an emergency!

Our expert Dr. Steven Rauch (Harvard University) teaches us that for hearing loss the reddest flag, the only real otologic emergency is sudden hearing loss. Sudden or rapidly progressive unilateral hearing loss within 72 hours needs an urgent referral to ENT. These patients might require high-dose steroids or injectable therapy to preserve their hearing. For more on this topic, listen to the full episode.

[@sarahtrick6757]

Had this happen and actually went to the doctor (usually I'm the type of person who doesn't go unless their in pain and there was NONE). The first 2 places I went didn't treat it as any sort of emergency and one sent me to an audiologist (had to wait for a month and a half to be seen) they were horrified I wasn't treated and now I'm stuck with severe hearing loss on my left side for the rest of my life (I'm 24). Had to get a steroid shot THROUGH MY EARDRUM today instead of just taking oral steroids like they should have given me within 2 weeks. Hopefully I get some hearing back.

[@harshvyas5360]

Did you?

[@evlindy]

Man once ur hearing is gone it’s gone I’ve lived with a hearing loss in both ears (biolateral hearing loss) my entire life you just gotta adjust to the world differently.

[@Darren240]

Omg bro, my dad had the same issue! He had a constant ringing in his ear, and when he took it to the doctors, they said it’s just tinnitus, and sent him away. Now I’m not kidding, but my dad experienced this ringing in his ear for a whole three months, before he went to the Emergency department, where they were APPALLED by how the doctors failed to label this case as Emergency. He had to go through three rounds of Steroid injections in his eardrums (once every 4 weeks), and that still didn’t help. Now my dad still has the ringing in his ear and it’s been a whole year. He barely can sleep, but he’s getting used to it. He also lost over 60% of his hearing in his left ear and now wears hearing aids. Tell me how your injections went, and if they got better… if they did, WONDERFUL! I know they are the most painful shit ever, but if u recover then congrats! If you don’t, don’t worry… you will get used to it… the hearing difficulty world is a new, but wonderful place. I hope you’re doing great:)

[@amitkumarroy5780]

There is no treatment everything is experimental i went within24 hr got steroid by puncturing the ear drum but no use

[@angie_puertorican7070]

This happened to me and I’m 15. It was so traumatizing because of the vertigo. I’m still deaf in my right ear, I’m tired of being like this

[@myperspective5091]

I recently had hearing loss during a fainting incident. Not before or afterwards. I was sick. I had a rapid onset fever with shaking chills. I started to sweat. I had a severe headache with ringing in my ears and muscle tension in the top of my head and temples. I was not dizzy nor lightheaded. My fingers and face started to tingle. I did have slight tunnel vision. My vision went dark around the peripherals, but with no sparks. I had a slight blood like metallic taste in my mouth, mostly in my nose like I just got punched in the face. I had mild head nausea. My arms went ice cold and numb. Then my vision went bright white. My pupils must have dilated. These symptoms lasted for a minute and a half. There was no effect to my breathing. I didn’t feel any chest pains. The situation. I had diarrhea about 20 times in 12 hour period and I throwing up about 5-6 I a panic attack earlier around the fourth time I had to use the John . This was before I threw up. I fainted while sitting on the John, about an hour after the last time I threw up. I still had to use the John about five more times after I fainted twice. The presumption was that I was dehydrated. So, I went to the hospital to be given an IV drip for that. In hindsight I think that I might have had a panic attack that pushed me beyond a panic attack right into going into shock.

[@phoenixmode6909]

Health care providers sure don't seem to treat it as an emergency I'm about 70% deaf now as a result. I was only 50% deaf a few YEARS ago, deaf in left ear since birth. Apparently sudden sensorineural hearing loss in your only remaining ear isn't an emergency. I'm getting a hearing aid next week for the remaining ear. Hope like hell it helps.

[@desertgirl1392]

Not scary! More like terrifying