SSHL in good ear - other people's experience?

[meggiemog]

I have had white noise tinnitus for a good 5-6 years and a bi-cros hearing aid for about 4 years, as I have severe hearing loss in one ear. Unfortunately my good ear went weird on me - I actually thought my hearing aids were faulty - to find it was actually my own hearing when I removed them. Fast forward a few days - and a GP visit done. I am on high dose steroids and awaiting a call from the local hospital for a check. If this has happened to you - how long did you wait to be seen and what can I expect at this appointment?

[Theatregirl]

Hello.

I am sorry this has happened to you. I had sudden hearing loss in December. It's really positive that you are on steroid medication as your hearing should return. If the steroids don't work they will offer you an injection instead. My ENT said that as long as you take steroids during a certain time frame your hearing will come back. I believe its within a couple of weeks but i am not sure! Good news my hearing returned after the steroid medication and I hope yours does too. Sadly it left me with tinnitus. Also you might be sent for an MRI scan too. Hope this helps you and you recover all your hearing in the good ear.

[PABLR in reply to Theatregirl]

Will come back sounds very optimistic. Yes, there's a time frame and two weeks is what I understand that to be, but no guarantees, depending on the cause. I will say that, for me, the best thing I ever did when things got really bad (under different circumstances but with greatly diminished hearing in one ear, less so in the other) was to get a cochlear implant. So if ever that comes up in the doctor's office or at the ENT it's something to consider.

[Theatregirl in reply to PABLR]

I do hope your hearing does come back and I think it's likely it will as your were given steroids a few days later. Your g.p was really good actually as mine just referred me to ENT without giving me steroids!

Hopefully you won't need another cochlear implant and the steroids solve the problem.

[meggiemog in reply to Theatregirl]

I just have bi-cros hearing aids - so one side is a microphone and the other a blue tooth hearing aid that has the sounds from my bad ear relayed to it. Unfortunately I have severe damage in my bad ear and there's nothing can be done. Kinda got over that until this happened! I am seeing ENT tomorrow - so am hoping it's a case of antibiotics and whats left of the steroids. My hearing appears to be equally as bad at the moment, been no improvement, only not as much pressure I guess!

[Theatregirl]

It's really good you managed to get such a quick ENT appointment. I really hope he or she gives you some answers and your hearing improves. I am sorry you are having issues with both ears now. It must be so hard for you. I wonder if you will be offered a steroid injection? As I think this works a lot quicker than the medication. I really hope you get some answers today. Keep us posted.

[meggiemog in reply to Theatregirl]

Had my appointment yesterday. Not an ear infection, told to keep taking the steroids I am on and am being referred to ENT specialist as the changes were not typical and possibly not expected? Both audiologist and doctor I saw were really good. Doctor did warn me this hearing may not come back, and this might be my new level of deaf. Just waiting for the next appointment to come through.

[Theatregirl]

I am pleased that your doctor and audiologist were good. It's also positive that you are still on the steroids. I really hope your hearing returns in that ear. Hopefully they will rush through your ENT appointment and you get some answers soon. Its so frustrating at times as I still don't know what caused my sudden loss of hearing although it returned it's not as sharp as it used to be. Really hope 🙏 you will be OK.