Sudden hearing loss is usually related to the development of an ear infection due to an influenza and therefore is not usually permanent.
However, sudden deafness can also have other causes such as:
- Viral diseases, such as mumps, measles or chicken pox;
- Head bumps, even if they do not directly affect the ear;
- Use of anti-inflammatory or antibiotic medicines;
- Autoimmune disease, such as HIV or lupus;
- Problems of the inner ear, such as Ménière's disease.
These causes inflammation of the structures of the ear and, therefore, the hearing is affected, at least until the inflammation disappears. Thus, it is rare for deafness to be definitive, improving again after a few days of anti-inflammatory treatment.
In addition, this type of deafness may also appear due to direct trauma to the ear, such as listening to loud music, using cotton swabs incorrectly, or placing objects in the ear canal, for example. This type of activity can cause damage to the structures of the ear, such as rupturing the eardrum and may even cause permanent deafness.
Symptoms of Sudden Deafness
In addition to reduced ability to hear, the most frequent symptoms of sudden deafness are the onset of tinnitus and increased pressure within the ear, usually caused by inflammation of the ear structures.
How To Treat Sudden Deafness
The treatment varies according to the cause, so before going to the hospital you can try to treat the problem at home, especially in cases where the deafness appeared after getting water in the ear, for example. See the best techniques to unzip the ear and treat this problem.
Already when deafness arises during a flu, one should expect the flu to improve to see if the hearing improves or continues to be affected, for example.
However, it is advisable to go to the hospital when the deafness persists for more than 2 days without any apparent cause to make a hearing and blood test in order to find the cause and start the treatment, which is usually done with anti- to apply to the ear.
Here's how the most serious hearing problems can be treated in: Know the treatments for hearing loss.
