Steve EasterbrookAug 2, 2024
Two years ago, I experienced Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL), and am now almost completely deaf in one ear. This year, one of my colleagues had the same thing. Now I see there's a study out showing a strong correlation between COVID and SSNHL.
I guess that explains a lot. But, shit.
BTW If you find you suddenly lose hearing in one ear, get yourself to a specialist *immediately*. You have a 24-36 hour window to save your hearing before it becomes permanent.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(24)00338-9/fulltext
Show threadJamie McCarthyAug 2, 2024

@steve Shit. Did not know this.

Do you have any links that can help me understand why it’s urgent to get to a specialist quickly? This is the first I’m hearing of this.

Show threadSteve EasterbrookAug 2, 2024
@jamiemccarthy
Basically, it's a virus attacking the nerve that connects your ear to your brain. There are three emergency treatments that can reverse the damage. None are 100% effective, but all lose effectiveness if not done within a few days of onset. I had all three treatments, but it was too late for me. They are: oral steroids; steroids injected directly through the ear drum; immersion in an oxygen chamber
See more here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8855894/#:~:text=Sudden%20sensorineural%20hearing%20loss%20(SSNHL)%20is%20an%20otological%20condition%20that,up%20with%20a%20hearing%20loss.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Why It’s an Emergency

This review shows the importance of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) as a significant cause of hearing loss that often goes under-recognized, especially by primary care physicians. Contrasted with conductive hearing loss, SSNHL involves ...

PubMed Central (PMC)
Show threadthem#tic
@steve @jamiemccarthy Phew, I wonder how the emergency duty here would deal with a potential case.
Aug 10, 2024 at 5:48pmWeb