By Dr. Shahid Majeed – ENT Expert, Majeed Audio‑Vestibular Clinic (MAC), Bahawalpur
Have you ever woken up unable to hear clearly in one ear, or felt a sudden “pop” followed by muffled sound? This may be sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) — a serious condition that demands urgent attention.
What Is SSNHL?
SSNHL is a rapid loss of at least 30 dB in three adjacent frequencies, often occurring within 72 hours, and usually affects one ear AAFP+15Wikipedia+15Lippincott Journals+15. It’s a medical emergency; immediate treatment significantly improves chances of recovery.Sudden hearing loss happens quickly and without warning, often in one ear. It may feel like ear blockage, but it can signal a serious issue needing urgent care. Early treatment greatly increases the chance of full hearing recovery.
Symptoms to Watch
- Sudden reduction or muffling of hearing—especially in one ear
- A sensation of fullness or pressure
- Ringing (tinnitus)
- Dizziness or imbalance
- Trouble understanding speech, especially in noise
Purpose of Urgency
Prompt treatment—ideally within two weeks, but especially in the first 72 hours—is crucial. Starting oral steroids early maximizes recovery. Delay may lead to permanent loss WikipediaReddit+3Lippincott Journals+3Reddit+3.
Common Causes
In up to 90% of cases, no specific cause is found. Sometimes, SSHL stems from:
- Viral infections (e.g., herpes, CMV, COVID‑19)
- Inner‑ear circulatory problems
- Autoimmune conditions
- Head trauma or acoustic injury Reddit+5Wikipedia+5Verywell Health+5Verywell Health
Diagnosis Steps at MAC Bahawalpur
- Ear exam and tuning‑fork tests to rule out conductive problems macbahawalpur.com+15Medscape+15sgh.com.sg+15.
- Pure‑tone audiometry within 14 days confirms SSNHL Reddit+15Medscape+15Lippincott Journals+15.
- MRI or auditory brainstem response (ABR) to detect tumors or other pathologies Dr Sanu P Moideen+2Lippincott Journals+2Medscape+2.
Treatment Protocol
- Oral steroids (e.g., prednisone 1 mg/kg up to 60 mg for 7–14 days, then taper)—initiated ASAP AAFP+4RACGP+4PMC+4.
- Intratympanic steroid injections if partial or no recovery after 2–6 weeks RACGP+10PubMed+10Medscape+10.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can be added within 2–4 weeks Wikipedia+6Medscape+6RACGP+6.
- Avoid antivirals, vasodilators, antioxidants, CT scans, and routine labs—they lack proven benefit Wikipedia+11PubMed+11Consultant360+11.
Recovery Outlook
- ~50% recover spontaneously; ~75% with treatment PMC+2Verywell Health+2Verywell Health+2.
- Best outcomes: early intervention, younger age, mild loss, absence of vertigo Wikipedia+2ASHA Leader+2sgh.com.sg+2.
- Full recovery can occur weeks to months later—some patients report significant improvements even 3–12 months post-treatment sgh.com.sg+13Reddit+13Reddit+13.
FAQ – Your Questions Answered
Q: How quickly must I visit the doctor?
A: Within 72 hours is best, definitely within two weeks—delays reduce treatment success Reddit.
Q: Can I just wait to see if it gets better?
A: No. While some cases improve, treatment improves chances greatly, and waiting might mean missing a critical window Consultant360Reddit.
Q: Are steroids safe?
A: Yes, but there are considerations (blood sugar, ulcers). At MAC, we tailor dosing, tapering, and monitoring to each patient RACGPsgh.com.sg.
Q: What if steroids don’t help?
A: If recovery is incomplete after 2–6 weeks, we offer intratympanic injections. HBOT may also help as an adjunct AAFP+10PubMed+10Dr Sanu P Moideen+10.
Q: Could I need hearing aids later?
A: Possibly. Follow-up audiometry at treatment end and again at 6 months helps decide if amplification or implants would help Consultant360+5PubMed+5AAFP+5.
Q: Will balance return?
A: Usually yes. Dizziness or vertigo may accompany hearing loss, but vestibular rehab and medications aid recovery Reddit.
Q: What if it happens again?
A: Recurrent episodes may indicate a serious condition. We perform imaging (MRI/ABR) and further evaluations PubMedMedscape.
Your Next Steps
- Don’t ignore sudden ear changes—it might be more than wax or infection.
- Call MAC Bahawalpur immediately if you notice sudden hearing loss.
- Timely treatment could preserve or restore your hearing.
Dr. Shahid Majeed
Audiology & ENT Specialist,
Majeed Audio‑Vestibular Clinic (MAC), Bahawalpur
📍 Model Town A, Aziz Bhatti Rd
📞 +92‑336‑6890000 | ✉️ macbahawalpur786@gmail.com