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Sudden Sensoneural Hearing loss

Posted , 5 users are following.

KC2016
KC2016

My husband developed sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in Nov 2017 in his right ear, initially resulting in 80-90% hearing loss. He already has some hearing loss in left ear from an injury 20 years ago, but this ear has now become his "good " ear. After high dose Prednisone and multiple intratympanic steroid injections through a gromit which was inserted, over 6 weeks, he recovered some hearing in the right ear, which meant he can manage with bilateral hearing aids instead of chochlea implants, which was the initial plan. All was going well until 3 weeks ago, his own voice began to sound occluded, distorted and and electronic in his own head. External sounds are much the same. This has become increasingly worse to the point he does not want to talk because his voice sounds so irritating to him. Went back to the ENT and he inserted another gromit to see if made any difference, but it hasn't. Have been doing a lot of research and only other thing I can come up with is Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. Any ideas as this is driving him crazy!!!

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • maureen05275
    maureen05275 KC2016

    Posted

    Hello KC,

    I have a Patulous (open) Eustachian Tube which alters how I hear my own voice but not external sounds. Singing (my joy previously) is even worse than talking and I also hear the sound of my own breathing from which, sadly, I cannot escape.  I do not know why this happened.  It was not linked with a sudden sensorineural hearing loss though my sensitivity to noise (hyperacusis) increased at the same time.  If this is your husband's problem, it would go away when he is in a lying position (venous congestion closes the tube).  The alteration to the voice is called autophony.  Wikipedia, under autophony, gives four causes including one called The Occlusion Effect.  Perhaps you could look this up.  I will not talk further about my symptoms as, with all that your husband has been through, I feel his problem is probably different but if you want to know more, please feel free to ask.  Unfortunately no one is able or willing to do anything about this where I live (Melbourne, Australia), with the risks involved with surgery in that area being quite significant.

    Please convey my great sympathy to your husband.  Hearing loss is bad enough on its own; this kind of problem is profoundly distressing.

    Maureen  

  • mainak46439
    mainak46439 KC2016

    Posted

    Sensorineural Hearing Loss is hearing problems arising out of inner ear or auditory nerve disorders. Though it is a permanent problem, hearing restoration is absolutely possible with the help of hearing aids or other hearing devices.
  • Earguru
    Earguru KC2016

    Posted

    I am not sure what could have triggered Sudden Sensoneural Hearing loss. Although there are many reasons to it. I believe that its pure will power backed by little medicines that works in treating a person. In the long run one can start off by doing yoga which is really helpful for recovering from hearing loss. In case if you dont know, you can visit: https://earguru.in/yoga-exercises-better-hearing-power

    I hope this helps. Not to a great extent but any help is never small. Take care.

  • mainak46439
    mainak46439 KC2016

    Posted

    Hi! I have found some interesting information on <a href="https://hearingplus.in/hearing-loss-treatment/">hearing loss treatment</a>. I hope this helps.

  • kamy52095
    kamy52095 KC2016

    Posted

    If the gromits do not help I would say that a second opinion of an ENT specialist with regards to the condition my be warranted.

     

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