05 Apr Causes of sudden hearing loss

How does sudden hearing loss manifest itself?

A sudden hearing loss occurs very suddenly - within a very short time, the person affected hears significantly worse or nothing at all in one ear, or more rarely in both ears at the same time. In most cases, there is no pain. For patients, everything sounds strangely muffled, as if a cotton wool ball or foreign object were stuck in their ear.

Most people who suffer a sudden loss of hearing are accompanied by tinnitus. This manifests itself as an unpleasant humming, whistling or buzzing in the ear.

Sometimes sudden hearing loss is accompanied by dizziness or light-headedness.

What happens in the event of a sudden hearing loss?

As circulatory disorders of the inner ear are usually responsible for sudden hearing loss, this is also colloquially referred to as an ear infarction.

The inner ear is not supplied with sufficient oxygen and nutrients, which causes the fine hair and sensory cells in the inner ear to suffer.

Auditory stimuli are no longer picked up correctly and the ear can therefore only process them inadequately or pass them on to the brain.

This can manifest itself in mild hearing impairment, but also in complete hearing loss.

Causes of sudden hearing loss: How does sudden hearing loss occur?

Stress
Emotional stress and constant tension are not healthy for our bodies. If you literally have too much on your plate at work and/or in your private life, you run the risk of becoming ill. The constant pressure leads to an increased release of adrenaline in the body, causing the blood vessels to constrict. If this happens longer and more often, the blood supply to the inner ear, for example, is disrupted. This can lead to sudden hearing loss.

Acute illnesses
Bacterial infections, middle ear infections or viral infections can damage the auditory cells and impair blood flow to the inner ear. This increases the risk of sudden hearing loss - even if an infection has only recently been overcome.

Chronic diseases
Not only acute illnesses, but also chronic illnesses can be a possible trigger for sudden hearing loss. If other parts of the body are not working properly, a sudden hearing loss can be the result. This can be the case with pathological fluctuations in blood pressure, Metabolic disordersheart disease or vascular changes, but also spinal problems. Tension in the neck muscles or signs of wear and tear in the cervical vertebrae can also cause a sudden loss of hearing.

Lifting and carrying heavy loads
It's not the first thought when it comes to identifying the cause of an ear infection - but lifting and carrying heavy loads can affect hearing. The weight can damage the sensitive window on the inner ear, which connects the inner ear to the middle ear. This has negative effects: Sound waves are no longer transmitted correctly to the inner ear. Sometimes this leads to sudden hearing loss.

How is sudden hearing loss treated?

If a sudden hearing loss is suspected, we will first carry out a basic examination of the affected ear. This is followed by a hearing test and possibly a Measurement of the so-called otoacoustic emissionsto determine the extent and frequency range of the hearing loss. At the same time, the aim is to identify the cause of the hearing loss, e.g. whether the sudden hearing loss is a concomitant symptom of another illness.

Depending on the cause of the ear infarction, the treatment is determined.

As a rule, cortisone preparations are used, which have a decongestant and anti-inflammatory effect. They can be administered in the form of tablets or infusions.

Causes of sudden hearing loss: How can you prevent it?

• Avoid stress or try to reduce it.
• Avoid sources of noise and protect your hearing with appropriate hearing protection if necessary.
• Opt for quiet electrical appliances.
• If noise pollution is unavoidable, move away from the source of the noise and protect your ears, e.g. with earplugs.
• Have check-ups with your doctor and focus on prevention, e.g. of vascular diseases.

Treating sudden deafness Frankfurt

ENT doctor Frankfurt: If you notice the above symptoms, you should not panic. As you know, stress can exacerbate the symptoms of sudden hearing loss. Stay calm and make an appointment with us! We will examine you and, based on the diagnosis, provide you with a customised hearing loss and tinnitus therapy.

If you also suffer from sudden hearing loss, you are welcome to make an appointment at our practice.

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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