Latest UPDATE: Tuesday, January 19th – click here to jump to update
I’m writing this post mostly to keep track of what I’ve been going through and perhaps to reach out to someone who has been through the same or similar scenario.
I’m a healthy 30 year old Mom of two little ones who suddenly lost hearing completely in my left ear and partially in my right ear. I was not on any medications or having any other symptoms. I was feeling great being on Weight Watchers with an excellent diet, vitamins and even moderate exercise as a part of my daily life.
Then one night it started.
This is how it happened.
Day 1 (Dec. 1, 2009)
10 days ago (now), we had just finished putting up the Christmas Tree and I was sitting down to eat dinner with the kids when I heard a “whoosh” in my left ear…a VERY low buzzing noise (fading in a out) and then ringing. The sounds around me and in my other ear were diminished and “booming”.
Immediately I thought, I must have been hungry or perhaps my blood pressure was up (I remembered hearing ringing once when I was pregnant and having blood pressure issues). So I quickly finished my dinner and went to lay down to see if I could get rid of the buzzing/ringing.
An hour passed. Two hours passed and nothing changed.
So, naturally I went to Google and tried to find anything I could on sudden loss of hearing, buzzing in the ear, tinnitus etc. There were a million reasons and explanations and I was beyond-overloaded with information.
I closed my laptop and decided to try to go to sleep. It was near-impossible to sleep with the VERY LOUD buzzing and high-pitched ringing.
Day 2
I woke up the next morning the same.
I went to my Family Doctor first thing and she said she could not see any fluid or inflammation….meaning there was no infection. She referred me to an ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist) in the area. I had no temperature or any other symptoms and ABSOLUTELY NO PAIN. My blood pressure was slightly elevated, but I’m sure that was from the stress of oh, I don’t know — not being able to hear.
So, I was luckily able to get in to see the ENT that same day.
After a brief hearing screening, they determined that I had significant hearing loss in my left ear and partial in my right ear. I was sent for a blood work-up and put on a 10-day Prescription of Prednisone with a follow-up appointment scheduled. My ENT said that my hearing loss was probably brought on by a virus, but they needed to rule out Lymes Disease and some other auto-immune diseases along with possibility of a Tyroid issue or even Ménière’s disease.
24 hours later the blood work all came back normal and I thought that maybe I was starting to hear better.
Day 3
Then the 3rd day, I woke up worse. There was now complete loss of hearing in my left ear with constant high-pitched ringing and the sounds coming into my right ear did not sound right. There was ringing everywhere and I could only hear my husband talk to me if he spoke directly towards my right ear and no further than 5 feet away. I was dizzy and unbalanced when I walked. No vertigo though.
I went back to the ENT and they once again performed a hearing screening which showed the complete loss in the left ear and the reduced hearing in my right ear. My doctor then decided to give my a steroid injection directly into my eardrum (Intratympanic Steroid Therapy) and also send me for a MRI. Both procedures were not too pleasant and the hearing loss itself was pretty scary. What was happening?
I was diagnosed with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
By 10pm that night my ENT called us to tell us that the MRI was normal and now I just need to continue the Prednisone and wait.
Day 4-7
I waited through the weekend with no relief at all and was back in the office this past Monday (7 days from the time this all started).
Day 8
I was really dizzy that day.
So Monday’s hearing screening did show a very minimal raise on the scale for my left ear –meaning that I was picking up a frequency or two on that side. I did not notice a change at all because I still cannot actually hear anything except ringing (and occasional muted tapping) on that side of my head. The right ear was the same.
After another examination under the Dr.’s scope he said there was slight drainage in the left ear (where the injection was administered), which was normal. He said he was still convinced that this is viral and was glad to see the slight move on the hearing scale from “nothing to something”. He also told me that perhaps my hearing on my right side has been less-than-perfect for quite some time now, and was just noticed now because of this SSHL in my left ear.
I have an appointment scheduled for the 18th of December (10 days out) to see where we are at.
Day 11 – Today. No change.
How am I doing otherwise?
With two small children (lots of loud toys) and a house to run, it’s not easy to lose a sense that I’ve always relied so heavily on. I was “OK” with this last week — thinking, “I just have to hang in here…it will get better”. That was last week.
This week, I’m growing more frustrated each day and hour that passes with no relief.
I feel like I might be hearing very high-pitches somewhere on my left side through what sounds like a pin-hole, but that’s it.
I cannot hear the little ones get up in the middle of the night and couldn’t hear the rain outside my window last night. I cannot drive or even safely navigate through a store. I went to the grocery store with my husband on Saturday and it was one of the most difficult things I’ve even experienced with the flood of noises and sounds that I had to try to filter through one ear.
I’m trapped in my own head of noises and my house right now.
Beyond what I am going through with my hearing I feel like I’m mentally going a little nuts. I am short with everyone because “I simply cannot hear!” — I don’t know what to expect in terms of recovery because it is just not known. Some people will recover, some partially and some minimally — where will I stand?
I feel bad for my husband that he has to go through this anxiety with me. I feel bad for the kids because I just want to sit on the floor and play with them and laugh and dance and sing Christmas Carols.
My patience for this is wearing and despite the positive attitude I’m trying to maintain – I’m starting to have a hard time with this. I’m having a hard time being a wife and a mom right now.
I feel like I want to scream to escape this.
I NEED to hear again!!!
*I do have a few people who have reached out to me with similar experiences and have varying-degrees of return-of-hearing. I am grateful for their reassurance and the help they have been with this. I also have a great friend who has a colleague/specialist who comes highly recommended out of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. That seems like it will be our next plan of action if there is no relief come next Friday.
Day 12-15
I can hear noises in my “deaf ear”. I can’t understand what my husband is saying, but I hear that he IS talking. While I still can’t hear TV or music or conversations…after over 2 WEEK of NOTHING this is SOMETHING!
Day 16-17
I’m definitely hearing more in my left ear (the one that had zero hearing last week). I don’t feel that it is anywhere near “normal” hearing levels, but it’s better than it was. I can almost understand what my husband is saying when I listen entirely out of that ear. I still have intense ringing and am unbalanced and have very dizzy moments. My “good ear” is still on overload and certain sounds are painful and exaggerated with ringing in that ear as well. I feel like my overall peripheral hearing might be better…or it might be that I’m getting used to hearing this way. That’s the latest — I expect better numbers on my audiogram on Friday…we’ll see by how much and hopefully this will only continue to improve.
Day 18-19
Almost 20 days now since I lost my hearing. I went back to my Dr. today. First, I met with the audiologist for the screening tests. My right ear is at the same level of hearing loss and my left (previous deaf ear) is now up. That’s great. The bad news is that I have almost zero speech discrimination in that ear. Meaning, I couldn’t understand most of the words that were read to me using my left ear. Sooooooo…
My doctor wants to see me again in 4 weeks — he seems to be optimistic that I will regain more of my hearing back. I hope so because today for the first time he mentioned hearing aids. While I know they could only help – I never thought all this would come to that. He also reaffirmed that he thinks that the hearing in my right ear has always been down, but because of what happened to my “previously good ear” – this loss is now noticeable.
I’ll update this again when I notice some sort of change. I’m going to have to tough through the holidays with this and keep sleeping with one eye open. This sucks.
Day 20+ – 6 weeks! Monday, Jan. 4th:
So, it’s been 6 weeks that I have been going through the recovery from SSHL. I am happy to say, I am hearing better! I don’t consider my hearing back to “normal” by any means, but I have noticed an improvement over the past 2 weeks. The hustle & bustle of the holidays was hard and being in the car and visiting with family was difficult too, but I made it. My hearing is still “muted” on the left side and it’s still hard to understand what is being said, but I am picking up more things being said by my husband and others – so that’s encouraging.
8 weeks
UPDATED Tuesday, Jan. 19th 2010:
My hearing is FINALLY getting better. My audiogram shows a HUGE improvement at week 8. My speech discrimination is also up from 24% (last visit) to 84%! The excellent news is that my hearing has come back to a level where hearing aids or further intervention in not necessary…though I may be asking “huh, what did you say?” a little longer :)
I really think that my diet, vitamins and drastic change in lifestyle has helped this healing to happen over the past few weeks. I am so lucky and fortunate to have this kind of progress and I thank you all for your little prayers and encouragement these past 2 months.
Thank You guys!!!
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OMG, i just read ur story, and I thought it was mine. I have 2 kids, my son just turned 2, and my daughter is 7 months. I’m a healthy 32 yr old. Nov. of 2008 my son just turned 9 mos, and we found out I was pregnant again. At first I was upset couldn’t believe I wasn’t more careful, I was in for a challenge, 2 kids 17 months apart, that will be hard. Well little did I know things were about to get a little harder. 3 days later and 6 weeks preggers, I suddenly felt the room spin, my ear felt really full, this went on for 3 days. Felt a little better but my ear still felt full, and now it started ringing. Went to the ENT , took a hearing test, lost almost 50% of my hearing in my right ear, mostly nerve damage, and had slight lost in my left ear. Told me that my hearing was prob always going but didn’t notice it till i lost more in the right. gave me oral steroids with the ok from the baby dr. and my hearing came back i was in normal range. day after I stopped the steroid i felt like i got hit by a truck, had no balance, alot of head pressure, couldn’t focus my eyes and the hearing in my right ear was down again, left ear was fine. everyone kept saying it was the pregnancy wait till it’s over and i will be back to normal. well I didn’t feel good the whole pregnancy, all i wanted to do was play with my son, who was just starting to walk, give him that first birthday that i had been planning since the day he was born. But couldn’t, my mom was taking care if him and living with us most of the pregnancy, and my son was calling his grandma – mom . It killed me. to make a long story short – i had a healthy baby girl that i just wanted to love on, but still felt awful. She was 5 weeks old when i went back to the ent, he said let’s try the steroid again, the hearing came back and the dizziness went away. I was diagnosed with autoimmune inner ear disease. With no proven cure, I’m trying different methods – treating allergies, healthy diet, and a life change. feeling a little better to the point where i can be full time mom and wife but still have bad days to where it’s hard to plan my life. I understand what your going through, how ur life can change in one moment. treasure the sounds od your kids laughing and crying and treasure the looks on their faces, you could loose all that tomorrow. Have faith in God, and prayer does work. I’ll pray for you.
When you are “treating allergies” I suggest you make sure to test for IgG allergies, not just IgE. As one testing lab writes “These reactions are much more difficult to notice since they can occur hours or days after consumption of an offending food. Yet, this “delayed” type of reaction is far more common than the immediate IgE type. In some cases, you may eat a food for several days before developing a reaction to it, so you may not realize the link between the food and your symptoms. These delayed reactions to food are often referred to as “hidden” food sensitivities. They are caused by increased IgG antibody blood levels in reaction to specific foods. Often, the offending foods are hard to avoid and frequently eaten, such as milk, corn, and wheat.”
So do you still have ringing in your ear?
I had no idea you were going through all this! I’m so glad that its getting better – I’m sending you all my positive thoughts.
Resources that may help you or others overcome the same disorder:
http://www.houseearclinic.com/allergies.htm – the only medical practice I could find that acknowledges the connection between allergies and hearing disorders, including sensorineural hearing loss & Meniere’s Disease
https://www.neurorelief.com – food allergy “IgG” tests
I hope your problem is as simple as an allergy. It may very well be, It was for me.
Joey, my wife was diagnosed w/ SSHL last Friday in 1 of her ears (the right ear is basically showing no response, the doctor says her cochlea is dead/non responding, etc.). She has seen the ENT doctors and is on the steroids and antibiotics as well as the steroid shot in the ear (just had 2nd treatment today and 1 more this Friday).
The Doctor’s plan after this Friday is have an hearing test in a few weeks and hopefully there would be some improvement and then determine what to do next. I got the impression if there is no improvement there are some “other” options, but they didn’t want to discuss.
Since the first appointment on last Friday, we have researched on the web, local doctors, friends, etc. and are on information overload. The biggest problem/hurdle is the doctors are not sure why this happen and to her the treatment is not as aggressive as she would like (she wants her hearing back now, not later). We have talked to an acupuncturist, chiropractors, nutrionists, homeopathic doctor, pharmacists, multiple ENT doctors and we just want to make sure all avenues/possibilities are available and utilized if necessary.
Researching on the web we came across Joss’ blog and it has helped greatly with information, comfort and hope that all of you shared. Based on all the responses she is now taking a list of vitamins, supplements.
Do you have an email that Brenda could contact you? She still has a lot questions and was thinking/hoping you would be able to help.
Thank you for sharing your information and God Bless to your continued recovery and your family.
Tim and Brenda
Tim, my story and contact info can be found here: http://sites.google.com/site/joeyhorowitz/
Lost 100% of hearing in my Right Ear 11 weeks ago. got some low frequencies back after 10 days. Took 60mg of prednisone for 14 days and tapered down for about another 14days. I also did microwick in eardrum for 4 weeks.. steroid drops for 4 weeks. last test I had about 76% speech recognition but far from normal hearing. I can hear low noises but no mid or highs. I am however a candidate for a hearing aid. Doc said to give it a few months because I might get a little more back. Weight Watchers meals have alot of sodium.. I was told to keep a low salt diet but then again I’m only one ear which makes me think its circulatory. I’ve had a course of anti-virals and an MRI to rule out other causes. My dailey supplements are lipoflavanoids, 1500mg of magneseium, 100mg zinc, 400iu E, 1000mg Acetyl-l-carnitine, Garlic, Fish oil, 300mg co Q10 and a good multi vitamin. these are all proven to help hearing loss. My hearing is pretty much the same as a month ago..sometimes I think its a little better??? but I’ll try anything. I’m a musician with 5 and 2 yr old boys and 14 yr old daughter. I notice that reading & writing sometimes makes me forget for a minute. it helps for a break.. I know it must be devistating with both ears but stay strong even when you wanna lose it. things i think of… I don’t have a terminal disease. My kids are healthy and my wife is a saint for saying everything twice. My grandfather lost his right hand in the War and he was right handed. he was an accomplished Piano player and a mechanical engineer. he took it as a challenge and said to count your blessings… then he would point them out to us. Don’t give up! keep investigating into everything you can do. Read about Rush Limbaugh and Foxy Brown as a worse case scenario down the road. God bless us all!
John, my wife was diagnosed w/ SSHL last Friday in 1 of her ears (the right ear is bascilly showing no response, the doctor says her coclea is dead/non responding, etc.). She has seen the ENT doctors and is on the steroids and antibiotics as well as the steroid shot in the ear (just had 2nd treatment today and 1 more this Friday).
The Doctor’s plan after this Friday is have an earing test in a few weeks and hopefully there would be some improvement and then determine what to do next. I got the impression if there is no improvement there are some “other” options, but they didn’t want to discuss.
Since the first appointment on last friday, we have researched on the web, local doctors, friends, etc. and are on information overload. The biggest problem/hurdle is the doctors are not sure why this happen and to her the treatment is not as aggresive as she would like (she wants her hearing back now, not later). We have talked to an accupuncturist, chiropractors, nutrionists, homeopahtic doctor, pharmicists, multiple ENT doctors and we just want to make sure all avenues/possobilites are available and utilizied if necessary.
Researching on the web we came accross Joss’ blog and it has helped greatly with information, comfort and hope that all of you shared. Based on all the resposnes she is now taking a list of vitamins, supplements (all that you listed).
Do you have an email that Brenda could contact you. She stil has a lot questions and was thinking/hoping you would be able to help.
Thank you for sharing your information and God Bless to your continued recovery and your family.
Tim and Brenda
Although your problem may not be the same, here is what happened to me.
Maybe it will help someone. I did recover completely so don’t lose hope – there is a cure out there!
I suffered a 60db SSNHL (left ear), mine was brought on by extreme stress. It took me 3 years to solve it, during that time I lost and regained hearing constantly; it was a living hell. None of the top NYC Drs. could cure me, including the man who invented the prednisone cure. In the end it turned out to be an “IgG” allergy to food (Milk and Chocolate, in my case; which is why prednisone & sometimes zinc helped me as they suppress the immune system) fortunately I was able to regain my hearing by avoiding the foods in question, and then over time slowly re-train my immune system to reaccept the foods again. I thank G-d for the PhD biochemist/nutritionist who figured it out (http://www.pastoreformulations.com/Articles.asp?ID=123). The IgG testing was provieded by this company: https://www.neurorelief.com/
I was very moved by your blog and happened to find it while researching SSHL. I was diagnosed with this about 8 months ago and I am still hoping for my hearing to come back. I have 4 children so I can understand all the fears and issues you are going through. It has been a long 8 months for me , but I did get some return of hearing. I still have difficulty with speech discrimination and it is very frustrating. I hope your hearing comes back.
Hi, Just popping in here to see how you’re doing! With the extra demand of the holidays, this is a difficult time of the year to be dealing with this—–how is this going for you? I’ve had to really make Christmas very simple this year, which really is an ok thing.
I began tapering down my steroid ear drops and the hearing loss started to return, so I’m increasing it again and hoping it gets better. I’m very fortunate that for now, my other ear is just fine. It’s amazing that this is as stressful as it is—I think that the roar in the ear as well as never knowing when it will return takes its toll.
I’ve been making much effort to listen to the sounds of the holiday season and appreciate what I do have. I will also make the effort to spend moments outdoors to listen to the quiet of the snow. It sure can be easy to take for granted what you have until you no longer have it.
I hope you are doing ok . I remind myself that things will work out in the way they need to, as they always do.
Happy holidays and hugs to you.
Thank you so much for blogging your experiences with SSHL. My started last month and it’s been very stressful. The prednisone wasn’t successful but an ear wick was placed in my ear drum and the steroid ear drops returned my hearing to normal. I’ve had problems with the hearing loss disappearing but then I relapse which is frustrating. Your hearing loss sounds like autoimmune. I suspect mine is and was triggered by an infection. Hang in there, you’re in my thoughts.
Oh Wow – so sorry you are STILL going through this! They ruled out any autoimmune disease for me, so still clueless, but Dr. seems convinced it was viral. Please keep me posted on your progress…if it is indeed an infection, they say it can take 6-8 weeks to experience relief and hearing to return — I’m just waiting now with you :)
Twitter: mamajoss
I’m so happy to hear this news!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!
Hurray!!
Forgot to add that I loved those red shoes in my last comment!
We are headed for a “wet” snowless Christmas here.
As usual. :)
Thank You Thank You Thank YOU :) Bummer for wet snow…that’s all we may get too – booo! You never know though…
Twitter: mamajoss
Joss, I am sad to hear that you are not recovering as quickly as you would like.
I will continue to pray for the strength you need to just function every day with those two cute babies! As I said before, we are right next door and you know when my car is there I am available to help you any way I can.
The same goes for Gary!
Keep up your fight…I just know it will get better soon!!!
Love ya honey!!
This whole ordeal sounds terrifying! Kudos to you for keeping it together and staying positive. I’m forwarding your story to all of my friends and family and asking them to do the same – hopefully it will sound familiar to someone who might have some insight for you…
Thanks Lara. That’s the hard part…no knowing when/if/how much my hearing will return. Such a bizarre thing to happen out of the blue.
Twitter: mamajoss
Prayers, good vibes and good thoughts are all continuing from my house!
@Sarah Jankowski Thank you so much :)
Twitter: mamajoss
Sweetie, I’m thinking about you, and hoping your hearing will come back very, very soon! I can just imagine how frustrating it must be for you. :( I wanted to tell you, also, when I was 18, my mom woke up one morning with severe pain in her eye. Hours later, she could not see a thing. She went completely blind in her right eye, and went to the eye institute of the hospital right away. The doctors were all very concerned, worried, thinking the worst. She was admitted, tests were run (MRI of her brain, etc.) and she was also put on steroids… it was the scariest experience ever. It was thought that maybe she would get MS, but that wasn’t’ the case, either. It was just a fluke thing… her vision slowly returned, bit by bit every day… I’m hoping this story will make you feel a bit better…
@Loukia Thanks You for checking in…and Wow…that’s a crazy story, but it DOES make me feel better and I’m so glad that her sight was restored :) Yeah, you never know what the day is going to bring when you wake up each morning, that’s for sure…
Twitter: mamajoss
Hey there! Sorry to hear that things are not getting any better. I know that as a stay at home mom you need to be on top of your game and something like this can be very frustrating to us 100%’ers! Try to relax as much as you can. I know that’s easier said than done with the sounds going on in your own ears. Just wanted to send some HUGS your way!!
@Chrissy MacCEO Thanks :) I’m certainly trying
Twitter: mamajoss
I’m hoping and praying that this will go away very soon and you’ll recover your hearing! I can’t imagine how hard it is for you now! This gave me a little glimpse and I am really hoping and praying for your hearing to return!
@Abigail Thank You so much for your kind words…I really appreciate it
Twitter: mamajoss
I am so sorry you are going through this. I can imagine how frustrating that is for you. I really hope you start to get your hearing back very soon!! You are in my prayers!
Thank you @Sarah @ Small Slice…frustrated is exactly the feeling…ugh.
Twitter: mamajoss