Q&A

Subject: Sudden hearing loss

From: Jay

My case is pretty much like your example of Robert. I woke up with complete hearing loss in one ear. I'm 46 yrs old and in excellent shape. There was no fever or infection. Subsequent MRI's show nerve is in good shape. After 3 weeks audiologist confirmed a 15-30% improvement in hearing across the spectrum.

They have scheduled me for another audiologist test after 8 weeks. No treatment in the meantime. The hearing is slowly improving, but sometimes it feels like I'm going backwards and losing it. At this rate till take a long time if at all.

I'm just wondering if there are additional tests to determine the source of the problem. I did some strenuous yoga exercises before this happened and am wondering if that could be the cause. I also had exposure to high winds on a boat prior to this. Will I ever recover from this? I'd like to hear from people who have been through this. Thanks Jay

Dear Jay,

That strenuous yoga is suspicious. Such activities can cause a membrane of the INNER ear to rupture. The turbulence of fluid loss can cause damage to the hair cells of the inner ear and result in permanent loss. Such ruptures (called fistulas) often heal spontaneously just like ruptures of the ear drum. If so, hearing gradually returns, though not always to original levels. The membrane is weakened and more likely to rupture again so I would be cautious with further exercise or substitute a less strenuous one.

I do not know of additional tests to pinpoint the cause of your problem. Several ear doctors in the Washington DC area pursue exploratory surgery. By opening the eardrum, they can often see the leak of fluid and then patch it. The risk is extremely low so you might discuss it. I do not think the wind would be a factor in your case. The eardrum really is good protection for that kind of exposure.
Good Luck!
Solveig