An acute hearing loss occurs suddenly and can cause various complaints. We explain what sudden hearing loss symptoms are and what helps against it.
What is a hearing loss?
It feels as if the ear is suddenly clogged with cotton wool: a sudden loss of hearing often occurs from one second to the next. It usually affects only one ear and reduces hearing or may even lead to complete hearing loss. In severe cases, further symptoms of acute hearing loss occur, such as dizziness. Why a hearing loss occurs is not fully understood – but there are several risk factors such as stress or high blood pressure. In about 60 percent of cases, the hearing loss disappears by itself again, but it can also be used, for example, drugs.
Symptoms of hearing loss: You should know them
Whether a hearing loss is present, is the easiest way to fathom the symptoms. The following symptoms can occur in patients due to the sudden onset of hearing loss:
- Feeling of cotton wool in the ear
- Tinnitus (ear noises)
- pressure on the ears
- dizziness
- dizziness
- Hearing loss / hearing loss or complete hearing loss
- Hypersensitivity to sound
- Sounds are perceived as deeper or higher on the diseased ear than the sound ear
Good hearing: Not always the sudden hearing loss is noticed
If it is only a slight loss of hearing, the signs of those affected are not always noticed, then it is usually only later by chance during a hearing test the diagnosis. Incidentally, an acute hearing loss is not always an emergency – it depends on a number of factors, such as: As the degree of hearing loss, concomitant symptoms and possible pre-existing conditions of the patient. Often enough in a sudden hearing loss, a timely visit to the ENT specialist. Only if the hearing loss is getting worse or in more severe cases, a hospital stay may be necessary.
Causes: How does a hearing loss develop?
Although it is not completely clear which causes a hearing loss, but there are some known risk factors:
- Circulatory disorders
- Inflammations in the inner ear
- Autoimmune diseases
- Dysfunction of certain cells in the ear
- Excessive fluid in the ear
- overweight
- Stress / mental stress
- high blood pressure
- pressure changes
- Smoke
- Diabetes (which means to be diabetic , you will find out here)
- Foreign matter or water in the ear
- eardrum injuries
Treatment: What helps against a hearing loss?
Not every sudden loss of hearing must be treated by a doctor, as lighter forms often resolve relatively quickly. If therapy makes sense, drugs are often used, such as cortisone, which can inhibit inflammation and has a decongestant effect. Otherwise, sufferers are usually recommended a lot of rest and a smoking cessation.