Sudden hearing loss

It is defined by the occurrence in less than 3 days, a unilateral perception (sensorineural) hearing loss with a normal eardrum and at least 30 dB in three contiguous frequencies without obvious etiology.

An audiogram is required as soon as possible to confirm the neurosensory impairment. We must not take sudden hearing loss lightly while thinking that it is otitis media or due to earwax.

The sooner treatment is started, the better recovery result is. Ideal treatment should be started in the first ten days after the hearing loss.

 

 

The treatment itself is very controversial.

Treatment is based mainly on the administration of corticosteroids, while other treatments have not been proven (vasodilators, hyperbaric oxygen, hemodilution, etc …).

Cortisone can be given by mouth, by intratympanic injection or by both routes.

Any sudden deafness or asymmetric hearing must be investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out any benign lesion on the vestibulocochlear nerve (vestibular schwannoma) or other retrocochlear lesions.

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Emergency in ENT
Peritonsillar abscess
Ludwig’s Angina
Foreign body in the ear
Foreign body in the respiratory tract (nose, trachea, bronchi)
Foreign body in the esophagus
Epiglottitis
Epistaxis
Perilymphatic fistula
Nose fracture
Hemorrhage post-adenotonsillectomy
Acute mastoiditis
Facial paralysis
Sudden hearing loss