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Original poster

Sudden unilateral hearing loss, age 36.

68 replies

summerlovingvibes · 16/01/2023 16:23

I guess I'm posting in hopes that someone out there can give me a glimmer of hope.

Just over a week ago I had sudden total hearing loss in my left ear. Within minutes everything went silent, horrendous tinnitus followed by a week now of nothing. The occasional humming but no sound.

I was treated quickly and have since gone private for tests , consistent review and am awaiting an MRI then follow up.

From what I've been told & read, it can be a few reasons but most likely a virus that has attacked my hearing nerve. Hoping it's nothing more sinister (MRI will rule out). Treatment quickly is imperative to hope to re-gain some hearing, although it's a pretty small percentage that do re-gain hearing.

I've got a toddler and 3 month old at home, and am massively struggling. I can't hear them if they're both talking/crying, and when I can hear them I can't always tell who it is or where they are. My good ear is picking up all sounds but they are displaced and the sound doesn't come from the direction it was made in. It's hard outside because any passing traffic or gentle wind or background noise drowns out everything else. My brain is playing tricks on me with sounds coming from different directions and nothing sounds the same. People sound different, tones of voice sound different. I can't stand listening to the tele or the radio. So distracting! At night I hear noises I just know aren't possible. I can't sleep on my good ear side because I'm scared of not hearing the children cry. I'm sociable, but at the moment can't stand being around people incase they want to talk. Phone conversations are a bugger.

I have a very supportive and caring husband and family, but really I'm wanting to hear from others that have experienced this and can understand. And hopefully give me an amazing story where your hearing returned a few weeks later?

OP posts:
FlopFit · 16/01/2023 20:15

Sorry to hear that and well done for getting treatment quickly. I think it will depend what the cause is.

I had sudden hearing loss at age 11 caused by a virus. It took over 12 months to recover and it was workable but never back to what it was like before.

I had another repeat of this about 6 months ago and this time it only took about 3-4 months to come back.

It is a dreadful feeling. You have my utmost sympathy. I know it's really hard but try not to panic. I found it v hard at night for some reason.

Mindsetmatters · 16/01/2023 21:34

This reply has been deleted

We don't allow threads like this.

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 16:00

@FlopFit thanks for replying. Yes the nights are hard! So many noises, or what I think are noises but they're not!

Interesting that it took 12 months the first time but you got some hearing back. I've been under the impression that if it's not back in a few weeks then chances of it returning are slim. But that gives me real hope so thank you!!

It's just frustrating not knowing the cause and what the outcome will be.

It will really affect my work if it hangs around so I flagged it up to my manger today incase I need help when I come back from my mat leave.

Thank you for your reply.

OP posts:
MBappse · 17/01/2023 16:08

Sorry to hear this, it must be very hard.

There is a type of hearing aid (cross aid I think) which can help with the directional element of hearing that you are missing out on. It might be worth looking into.

SiennaSienna · 17/01/2023 16:10

Have you been exposed to chickenpox or shingles recently by any chance?

beezlebubnicky · 17/01/2023 16:11

I'm really sorry this happened to you. I think you normally have to get treatment with a high dose of steroids in the first day or two to have a chance of it helping - it sounds like you probably did that. I'm really hoping for you.

At around the same age as you, my brother lost 95% of the hearing in his left ear overnight due to a virus. He had sudden sensineural hearing loss which is not reversible, and sadly it wasn't treated quickly even though he begged for steroids at the time. It might not have helped, of course.

I wish I had better news like the poster above, but I would be prepared for your hearing not to come back and to look into hearing aids in a while, when you're sure how much hearing loss has occurred and what your level of hearing is likely to be going forward. If it helps, my brother is too stubborn to wear a hearing aid but manages very well despite that! He needs to sit in the stalls at concerts or live shows to make sure he can hear, and people need to be on his good side, ideally, but he is independent, works and has friends etc.

beezlebubnicky · 17/01/2023 16:12

Re: the difficulties you are experiencing, you will get more used to it being in one ear and a hearing aid will also help massively with those things. Sending you lots of love xxx

Abhannmor · 17/01/2023 16:19

Had this myself. The vertigo was horrendous for about a week. Now , like yourself ,, my good ear compensates but it's hard in a noisy environment

You will have to train people to make allowances and try to address your good ear! The tinnitus is another issue . It will probably calm down and only annoy you when you are very tired. Certain things tune it out. For me it's cycling. Or , oddly enough , running a tap!

A virus is the most likely cause - labyrinthitus. MRI will probably rule out rarer things like a vascular problem. Barotrauma , caused by sudden change in air pressure ? Unlikely unless you're a diver or pilot.

Oh another thing I found comforting... keep a radio on not too loud. My unilateral deafness came in 97. The other ear is still OK tg. The specialist said there's no reason it would be affected. Closed systems he said . Good luck with it @summerlovingvibes !

Mariposista · 17/01/2023 16:20

I’d be less worried about the crying etc and more concerned about how this must be affecting your balance OP. Do you not feel nauseous too? Ear issues are not pleasant at all. Hope you recover soon.

BlueRaincoat1 · 17/01/2023 16:21

I've been deaf in one war since I was 6, possibly caused by measles or another childhood illness. Mine never came back, but hopefully yours will. If it doesn't, I can assure you that you will likely get used to it after a while. I have a good job and kids etc, it hasn't held me back. One of the most annoying things is not being able to hear what someone near you is saying if you're on the phone and struggling with directional sound, but you do honestly get used to it. I drive etc.

There are hearing aids (cross aids) I think, like someone else mentioned that can work even if the nerve is dead in your bad ear (like me) by directing sound from the good ear. Apparently these aren't great if you've been partially deaf for ages, but can be really effective if you have had recent hearing loss and haven't adapted yet.

I hope you recover soon.

popcornsong · 17/01/2023 16:22

I had something very similar. I was treated incorrectly and not given steroids. But I was lucky in that some hearing suddenly came back after about two weeks. A scan showed nothing sinister and it was put down to a virus. Now - six years later, I have some hearing loss and tinnitus that I am coping with. Was offered a hearing aid but I decided not to proceed with that - I was told it would help the tinnitus but I am quite good at "zoning" that out. Noisy pubs and restaurants cause me the most problems as the sounds bounce around weirdly now. If I get a fly buzzing in the house I can't follow the sound to find it! I wish you well and really hope some of your hearing returns.

Poppymil · 17/01/2023 16:27

May sound daft but have you tested for covid? I had this when I had covid and had all the tests that you've had. I've suffered tinnitus on and off for years and it's always just been put down to me working in a call centre so I have headphones on constantly. My hearing came back after about 6 weeks but I know how you feel and like you also had a little one that I couldn't hear cry at night x

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 20:45

MBappse · 17/01/2023 16:08

Sorry to hear this, it must be very hard.

There is a type of hearing aid (cross aid I think) which can help with the directional element of hearing that you are missing out on. It might be worth looking into.

Thanks I'll ask about this when I have my audiology follow up 👍

OP posts:
Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 20:45

SiennaSienna · 17/01/2023 16:10

Have you been exposed to chickenpox or shingles recently by any chance?

Not that I'm aware of, no.

OP posts:
Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 20:47

beezlebubnicky · 17/01/2023 16:11

I'm really sorry this happened to you. I think you normally have to get treatment with a high dose of steroids in the first day or two to have a chance of it helping - it sounds like you probably did that. I'm really hoping for you.

At around the same age as you, my brother lost 95% of the hearing in his left ear overnight due to a virus. He had sudden sensineural hearing loss which is not reversible, and sadly it wasn't treated quickly even though he begged for steroids at the time. It might not have helped, of course.

I wish I had better news like the poster above, but I would be prepared for your hearing not to come back and to look into hearing aids in a while, when you're sure how much hearing loss has occurred and what your level of hearing is likely to be going forward. If it helps, my brother is too stubborn to wear a hearing aid but manages very well despite that! He needs to sit in the stalls at concerts or live shows to make sure he can hear, and people need to be on his good side, ideally, but he is independent, works and has friends etc.

Thank you for replying. I'm worrying that it'll be the same as your brother, and if it is I am sure I will adapt. But hopeful for now it reverses! I think it's probably up there with 95-98% hearing loss.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 17/01/2023 20:47

Acoustic neuroma ? Mri will give more info if something specific

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 20:48

Abhannmor · 17/01/2023 16:19

Had this myself. The vertigo was horrendous for about a week. Now , like yourself ,, my good ear compensates but it's hard in a noisy environment

You will have to train people to make allowances and try to address your good ear! The tinnitus is another issue . It will probably calm down and only annoy you when you are very tired. Certain things tune it out. For me it's cycling. Or , oddly enough , running a tap!

A virus is the most likely cause - labyrinthitus. MRI will probably rule out rarer things like a vascular problem. Barotrauma , caused by sudden change in air pressure ? Unlikely unless you're a diver or pilot.

Oh another thing I found comforting... keep a radio on not too loud. My unilateral deafness came in 97. The other ear is still OK tg. The specialist said there's no reason it would be affected. Closed systems he said . Good luck with it @summerlovingvibes !

Reassuring to hear about the closed systems and hoping it stays just in my left ear then :)

OP posts:
Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 20:49

Mariposista · 17/01/2023 16:20

I’d be less worried about the crying etc and more concerned about how this must be affecting your balance OP. Do you not feel nauseous too? Ear issues are not pleasant at all. Hope you recover soon.

No nausea, vertigo, dizziness at all. Balance seems fine, occasionally I wonder if balance is wobbling but it doesn't. Up a stepladder tonight with no concerns at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 20:50

BlueRaincoat1 · 17/01/2023 16:21

I've been deaf in one war since I was 6, possibly caused by measles or another childhood illness. Mine never came back, but hopefully yours will. If it doesn't, I can assure you that you will likely get used to it after a while. I have a good job and kids etc, it hasn't held me back. One of the most annoying things is not being able to hear what someone near you is saying if you're on the phone and struggling with directional sound, but you do honestly get used to it. I drive etc.

There are hearing aids (cross aids) I think, like someone else mentioned that can work even if the nerve is dead in your bad ear (like me) by directing sound from the good ear. Apparently these aren't great if you've been partially deaf for ages, but can be really effective if you have had recent hearing loss and haven't adapted yet.

I hope you recover soon.

Thank you for sharing your story and positivity that life can continue normally :)

OP posts:
Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 20:51

popcornsong · 17/01/2023 16:22

I had something very similar. I was treated incorrectly and not given steroids. But I was lucky in that some hearing suddenly came back after about two weeks. A scan showed nothing sinister and it was put down to a virus. Now - six years later, I have some hearing loss and tinnitus that I am coping with. Was offered a hearing aid but I decided not to proceed with that - I was told it would help the tinnitus but I am quite good at "zoning" that out. Noisy pubs and restaurants cause me the most problems as the sounds bounce around weirdly now. If I get a fly buzzing in the house I can't follow the sound to find it! I wish you well and really hope some of your hearing returns.

Great to hear some sound suddenly came back after 2 weeks :) that's what I like to read :)

OP posts:
Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 20:56

Poppymil · 17/01/2023 16:27

May sound daft but have you tested for covid? I had this when I had covid and had all the tests that you've had. I've suffered tinnitus on and off for years and it's always just been put down to me working in a call centre so I have headphones on constantly. My hearing came back after about 6 weeks but I know how you feel and like you also had a little one that I couldn't hear cry at night x

I wondered about covid, and it could well have been it am negative now. I didn't test at the time it started as I didn't put 2&2 together.

OP posts:
Satsumaonaplate · 17/01/2023 20:59

Hey - when I read that I wondered "has she had a baby" and I see you recently have

There is a progressive hearing loss condition that can be triggered by pregnancy. I would discuss with your GP ?

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 21:33

Satsumaonaplate · 17/01/2023 20:59

Hey - when I read that I wondered "has she had a baby" and I see you recently have

There is a progressive hearing loss condition that can be triggered by pregnancy. I would discuss with your GP ?

Yes this was questioned when I was first seen the first day, but because I was 2.5m post partum they thought highly unlikely as no symptoms in pregnancy and the rapid speed at which it came on in minutes.

OP posts:
SantaCarlaCalifornia · 17/01/2023 22:30

I lost about 50% of my hearing in one ear after catching covid so it could definitely be related to that. Luckily I'd read about it being related to covid so went to the Dr who wanted to wait and see but I'd read that high-dose steroids were needed within 2 weeks to make much difference.

With the steroids, most of my hearing came back within 2 weeks or so but it's never been as good as it was. I can't seem to hear high and low sounds so I miss things like a knock at the door and I have trouble hearing people if there's a lot of background noise. Plus I've been left with worse tinnitus in that ear but I already had some tinnitus so I can sort of ignore it most of the time.

HalleLouja · 17/01/2023 22:37

summerlovingvibes · 17/01/2023 20:45

Thanks I'll ask about this when I have my audiology follow up 👍

Show quote history

I lost my hearing in one ear as a child thanks to mumps.

A couple of years ago I got these hearing aids which go on each ear and communicate via bluetooth. I still can’t tell which direction sound comes from but they have made the world of difference and I love them.

Also if you have a hearing aid you qualify for a disabled railcard. I take the small wins…

Its all I have really ever known and its is tough but I have a good quality of life. Just need my husband to remember I struggle to hear.