Respiratory illnesses hit hard—stuffy nose, scratchy throat. But hidden in the chaos,
your ears may be under silent attack. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) can strike without warning!
Q1: What Is Sudden Hearing Loss?
SSNHL is unexplained, rapid hearing loss (within 72 hours) affecting
≥20 dB across two adjacent frequencies. Symptoms vary:
Mild: Muffled hearing, ear fullness, tinnitus ("buzzing").
Severe: Total deafness.
Other signs: Dizziness, nausea, vomiting.
Q2: How Do Respiratory Infections Harm Hearing?
While SSNHL’s exact cause is unclear, key triggers include:
Viral Infections (e.g., flu, COVID-19):
Viruses may directly damage
inner ear hair cells.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction:
Nasal congestion → pressure imbalance → reduced blood flow to the inner ear.
Vascular Issues:
Inflammation disrupts blood supply to the cochlea.
Q3: How Is Sudden Hearing Loss Diagnosed?
Basic Tests:
Otoscopy: Check ear canal/tympanic membrane.
Pure-Tone Audiometry: Measure hearing thresholds.
Tympanometry: Assess middle ear function.
Advanced Tests (if needed):
MRI/CT: Rule out tumors (e.g., acoustic neuroma).
Blood Tests: Detect infections/autoimmune disorders.
Vestibular Tests: For dizziness/vertigo.
Q4: Can Sudden Hearing Loss Be Treated?
Yes! But
timing is critical:
Golden Window:
3–7 days from onset.
Treatment Options:
Steroids (oral/intratympanic): Reduce inflammation.
Antivirals: For suspected viral causes.
Hyperbaric Oxygen: Boost inner ear oxygen.
Vasodilators: Improve cochlear blood flow.
Delay = Permanent Damage: Early treatment maximizes recovery chances.
Q5: How to Prevent Sudden Hearing Loss?
Boost Immunity: Exercise, balanced diet, manage stress.
Treat Respiratory Infections Promptly: Don’t ignore colds/flu.
Control Chronic Conditions: Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol.
Protect Your Ears:
Avoid ototoxic drugs (e.g., certain antibiotics).
Limit noise exposure.
Keep ears dry during infections.
Act Fast, Save Your Hearing!
If you experience
sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, or dizziness after a respiratory illness:
Seek ER/ENT care immediately.
Demand urgent audiometry testing.
Start steroids ASAP (if no contraindications).
Hearing is fragile—every hour counts.
Protect your ears, preserve your world of sound!
