Collin County Living Well Magazine March/April 2016 | Page 33

Sudden Hearing Loss
By Elizabeth Brassine, Au.D.

I

magine you woke up one morning and couldn’t hear out
of one ear. Would you know what to do or seek treatment? Unfortunately, for most people the answer to both
of these questions is no.
Every year, one out of every 5,000 adults experiences sudden onset hearing loss. Also known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss, or SSHL. For most people, the immediate
assumption is that they are suffering from an earwax blockage, so they might decide not to seek treatment. But here’s
what you need to know: Sudden onset hearing loss is considered a medical emergency, and prompt treatment might
just save your hearing.

But how do you know you have it? SSHL doesn’t always
manifest itself in the same way. Some people notice when
they wake up first thing in the morning that their hearing
is different. Others don’t notice a difference until they
hold the phone up to that particular ear. In some cases
SSHL is preceded by a very noticeable pop, which can be
quite alarming. Afterward, some patients report a feeling

of fullness in the affected ear, possibly accompanied by
tinnitus and dizziness.
SSHL differs from other types of hearing loss in a couple of important ways. Aside from its rapid onset, it is often idiopathic,
meaning the cause is usually unknown. As a matter of fact,
a cause can be identified in only 10 to 15% of diagnosed
cases. One of the most common theories, however, is that
SSHL is caused by a viral infection of the hearing nerve.
Nine out of 10 occurrences of SSHL are unilateral, meaning
the hearing loss only occurs in one ear. Men and women are
affected equally, and the average age of first occurrence is
typically mid-40s to mid-50s.
Although treatments for SSHL are still fairly limited, they are
important. Corticosteroids are the most common treatment
for SSHL. They work by helping the body fight illness, decreasing swelling and reducing inflammation. It is vital to
seek treatment as soon as possible, as seeking treatment
from a hearing professional immediately could make all the
difference in helping you recover some of your hearing.

Elizabeth Brassine is a Doctor of Audiology and the owner of Hearing Services of McKinney.

HEARING SERVICES

of McKinney

Better Hearing Keeps You Connected!
• Staffed by 2 Licensed, Doctors of Audiology
• Hearing Aid Fittings, Maintenance and Repairs
• Invisible Fittings/Open Fittings
• Evaluation Period On All Hearing Aids
• Hearing Evaluations For All Ages
• Wireless/Connectivity Hearing Solutions
• Battery Purchase Programs
“After 10 years of training hearing
• Custom Ear Protection
professionals, I decided to come home
• Assistive Devices
to McKinney to do what I love
most-helping
the hearing impaired”.
• 26 Years of Experience

Liz Brassine, Au.D.

Locally Owned and Operated
Financing Options Available
Mon-Fri: 8:30am- 5:00pm
Other times available by appt.

972.838.1300
www.hearinmckinney.com
4201 Medical Center Dr, Suite 270
Across from Medical Center of McKinney

LIZ BRASSINE, Au.D.
DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY

COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MARCH/APRIL 2016

33