Skip to main content

Featured post

Ossiculoplasty Surgery - Restoring Your Hearing

  Ossicular Reconstruction (Ossiculoplasty) Patient Information Leaflet 1. Why am I being offered ossicular reconstruction? You have hearing loss caused by damage or disruption to the ossicles — the three tiny bones in the middle ear ( malleus, incus, and stapes ) that transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner ear. This damage may be due to: Chronic ear infections Cholesteatoma Previous ear surgery Long-standing eardrum perforation Trauma or erosion of the hearing bones Ossicular reconstruction (ossiculoplasty) is a surgical procedure designed to improve hearing by rebuilding this sound-conduction mechanism. 2. What is ossicular reconstruction? Ossiculoplasty involves repairing or replacing one or more of the hearing bones using either: Your own tissue (e.g. reshaped ossicles or cartilage), or A biocompatible prosthesis (most commonly titanium) The operation is usually performed alongside: Eardrum repair (tympanoplasty), and/or Mastoid surgery (especially if cholesteatoma i...

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss




Why is it essential to identify Sudden hearing loss?
Treatment of sudden hearing loss due to inner ear infection is a medical emergency. Sudden hearing loss could be due to simple cause due to wax in the ear canal or inner ear infection. If the treatment of inner ear infection is delayed by more than 7days, it can lead to permanent hearing loss. 10-20 people every 100,000 per year can get sudden sensorineural hearing loss.  


How do I know that it is a sudden sensorineural hearing loss?
It is straightforward to test by humming test. If you suspect your hearing is down in one ear. Humming "aa" and "ee" can help.
If you hear, sound louder in the ear you feel deaf then the chances are you have conductive hearing loss due to wax or glue ear. If the sound is louder in the better ear, then chances are you have sensorineural hearing loss, and you need to see a doctor urgently.
Example, you had flu for a few days, and suddenly you feel that hearing is low in the right ear. Next thing you do is hum "aa" and "ee" for 10-15 seconds. If you hear hum louder in the left ear, then this is a medical emergency.


 What can be done if have sudden sensorineural hearing loss?
If you see your doctor, he will organise an urgent appointment with an Ear Nose Throat Surgeon and start you on steroid tablets. 


What happens when I see Ear Nose Throat Surgeon? 
ENT surgeon will take a detailed history and examine you covering possible causes for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. You will need a hearing test, some blood test and a special head scan (MRI Scan). He will start you on one week of steroid tablets if it has not been prescribed yet, and arrange for you to be seen again in one week to retest the hearing. 


What are my options if there is no change hearing after steroid tablets?
If there is no response to oral steroid tablets, then Ear surgeon will discuss with your option of injecting steroid medication directly into the middle ear. This is known as an intratympanic steroid injection. This can be done under local anaesthetic by just numbing the ear canal or full general anaesthetic.  On the day of the injection, you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.  You will need two to three such doses. In most cases, puncture created by the needle to inject medication closes in two to three weeks. 

Such possible complications of this procedure are bleeding, infection, dizziness,  hole in the eardrum and no response to the injection. Tinnitus is generally due to hearing loss due to disease rather than procedure. Complications are very rare.

Studies show a different response rate to steroid injection. In general patients with high BMI, cholesterol, and blood glucose (metabolic syndrome) have a poor prognosis. Always check with the surgeon about results in his hands.

Is sensorineural hearing loss reversible?

 Evidence is early intervention within 72hours of symptoms have good prognosis and recovery.

What treatment options do I have if have no response to medical treatment and injections?
If someone has no response to treatment, then he or she may need support with tinnitus, hyperacusis (sensitive to sounds) and hearing loss. Tinnitus and hyperacusis are managed by masking, tinnitus retraining and cognitive behaviour therapy. For hearing rehabilitation options are cross hearing aid and bone anchored hearing aid.  


Mr Gaurav Kumar

Consultant Ear Nose Throat Surgeon

To make an appointment 

Book Online

Call 07494914140

email info@entsurgeonclinic.co.uk

Disclaimer: For general information only, always seek medical advice from your treating consultant



Popular Post

Boil in the Ear canal can be very painful...

How do I know I have boil in the ear canal? The ear canal is lined by skin up to the eardrum. Skin in the outer third of the ear canal has hair follicles. Hair follicles can get infected with bacteria and can form boil or furunculosis. It is challenging to look in our own ear canal. You can only feel a bump in the ear canal entrance which is tender to touch. Why is so painful when we have boil in the ear? Ear canal skin is very tightly attached to underlying cartilage. So any swelling in the skin stretches it and makes it very sore to touch. How do we get boil in the ear canal?  Most common causes of boil in the canal is dryness of the skin and trauma. Dry skin leads to cracks and these cracks can get infected. People who use dry earbuds, fingers, towel edges or pens and traumatise ear canal skin, which can get infected with bacteria. How do I release the temptation of using earbuds? Some people can get very dry skin due to sensitivity to soup, shampoo o...
Read more

Bleeding From Ears

  Why is my Q-tip bleeding from my ear?   It can be alarming if you've ever noticed blood on your Q-tip after cleaning your ears. Here are a few reasons why this might happen:   🚫 Avoid Inserting Q-tips Too Deep: The most common cause of bleeding is inserting Q-tips too far into the ear canal. This can lead to irritation, scratches, or even damage to the delicate ear tissues.   🩹 Ear Injuries or Scratches: Vigorous or improper cleaning can cause small injuries or scratches inside the ear canal. These injuries may result in bleeding when you use a Q-tip.   🩸 Ear Infections: Infections like otitis externa or swimmer's ear can make the ear canal more sensitive. Cleaning during an active infection can cause bleeding.   🔄 Wax Impaction: Excessive earwax can cause blockages, leading to a feeling of fullness and impaired hearing. Attempting to clean it out with a Q-tip may cause bleeding, especially if the wax is impacted.   👂 What to Do...
Read more

Retracted Ear Drum

  What Is a Retracted Eardrum? A retracted eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane retraction, is a condition where the eardrum (tympanic membrane) is pulled inward or drawn backwards from its normal position. The eardrum is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations from the outer ear to the middle ear, where the auditory ossicles (small bones) are located.   Under normal circumstances, the eardrum is slightly concave and positioned at an angle that allows it to respond to changes in air pressure. The Eustachian tube, a tube connecting the middle ear to the back of the throat, helps equalize pressure between the middle ear and the outside environment.   However, in cases of a retracted eardrum, the Eustachian tube might not function correctly or become blocked, leading to an imbalance in pressure. When negative pressure builds up in the middle ear, it causes the eardrum t...
Read more

"Naseptin: Powerful Defence Against Nasal Bacteria!"

  Everything You Need to Know About Using Naseptin Nasal Cream   If you've been dealing with nasal issues, you may have come across Naseptin nasal cream as a potential solution. Whether you suffer from recurrent nasal infections (vestibulitis), nose bleeds or simply need some relief from nasal dryness, Naseptin can be a valuable aid. In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know about using Naseptin nasal cream to ensure you get the best results from this trusted product.   Unlocking the Power of Naseptin Nasal Cream: A Guide to Its Versatile Uses   Naseptin nasal cream, a powerful ally in nasal health, holds the key to treating infections caused by staphylococcal bacteria. This versatile cream offers much more than meets the eye, and we're here to shed light on its incredible benefits! 🌟 👃 Kicking Nose Infections to the Curb: Say goodbye to those troublesome nose infections! Naseptin comes to the rescue, targeting staphylococcal bacteria and...
Read more

Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS)

🔍 Unlocking the Mystery of Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS) 🌀✨ It's a rare condition that affects the inner ear, and here's the lowdown:   Cause: SCDS occurs when one of the bony canals in the inner ear, particularly the uppermost semicircular canal, doesn't close or thicken properly during fetal development.   Symptoms:   Hearing Loss: It's a common symptom of SCDS. Sound Distortion: Ever feel like sounds aren't quite right? That could be SCDS at play. Balance Problems: SCDS can throw your balance off, making you feel unsteady. Autophony: Imagine hearing your own heartbeat or breathing louder than usual. That's autophony. World Tumbling Sensation: Loud noises or pressure changes might make you feel like the world is spinning. Diagnosis and Treatment:   CT Scans: A specialist might use these to spot SCDS, but other tests are crucial too. Hearing Tests: Essential for accurate diagnosis. Treatment: Surgery may be necessary for severe symptoms. ...
Read more

Coblation Tonsillectomy

Hi Guys, Let us talk about your tonsils and adenoids. Tonsils and adenoids are part of the immune system and help fight germs. Sometimes these tissues become infected and is called tonsillitis. When you have tonsillitis, you can feel sore to eat and drink, have the temperature, and can even have difficulty in breathing. This can be treated by a procedure called Tonsillectomy. Mr Kumar may advise you to have your tonsils removed if you have tonsil stones, if your airway is blocked due to large tonsils making you choke at night ie sleep apnoea or one tonsil is bigger than other. Tonsillectomy can be done by the traditional techniques using cold steel, electrocautery or coblation.  Cold steel and elctrocautery has moderate to severe pain in postoperative period. With new coblation technique, post operative pain is very low leading to quicker recovery.  Coblation is an advanced technology that combines gentle radiofrequency energy with natural saline — to quickly, and safely r...
Read more

What are different types of nasal sprays?

Nasal sprays are a popular form of medication for treating nasal allergy symptoms. They are sprayed directly into the nose to target the symptoms without affecting the rest of the body. There are many types of nasal sprays available, both prescription and over-the-counter. Here is a quick guide to the different types: Nasal Steroid Sprays: These are usually one of the first-line allergy therapies. They decrease inflammation within the nasal passages and relieve nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. Many of these sprays are available over the counter. Some common generic and brand names include Budesonide, Ciclesonide, Fluticasone, Flunisolide, Mometasone, Rhinocort, Omnaris, Zetonna, Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort, Xhance, Beconase, Nasarel, Qnasl, Vancenase, Veramyst, and Zetonna Nasal Decongestant Sprays: These sprays temporarily relieve nasal congestion by constricting the blood vessels in the nose, reducing nasal swelling and congestion. They are available over the...
Read more

Thinking of having sinus surgery.....

ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY WHY DO I NEED SINUS SURGERY? Sinus surgery is needed if your sinus symptoms do not respond to medical treatment and lifestyle changes. It is important to understand that you may still need medical treatment in the form of irrigation with/ without steroid spray. You should discuss this in detail with your operating surgeon during your preop consultations. WHAT ARE COMPLICATIONS OF SINUS SURGERY? It is very important to discuss possible complications of surgery and how it impacts your quality of life and profession. • Bleeding - Bleeding is a risk of any operation.  It is very common for small amounts of bleeding to come from the nose in the days following the operation.  Major bleeding is extremely uncommon and it is very rare for a transfusion to be required. • Eye problems - The sinuses are very close to the wall of the eye socket.  Sometimes minor bleeding can occur into the eye socket and this is usually noticed as some ...
Read more

Ear cartilage meatoplasty

  Ear cartilage meatoplasty (conchal cartilage reduction) for external ear canal stenosis — an operation to widen the entrance (outer/cartilaginous part) of the ear canal by reshaping/removing the obstructing conchal cartilage and associated soft tissue, so the canal stays open and can ventilate, drain, and be cleaned.  Why is this being recommended? Your ear canal is narrowed because the conchal cartilage (the bowl-shaped cartilage at the ear opening) is bulky or positioned in a way that crowds the canal entrance. This can lead to a cycle of wax trapping, recurrent otitis externa/inflammation, discharge, blocked hearing, difficulty examining the eardrum , and repeated need for microsuction. Meatoplasty aims to restore a stable, self-cleaning canal opening and reduce recurrent problems.  What benefit can you reasonably expect? The intended benefits are: easier ear toilet/cleaning, fewer blockages and infections, improved access for drops and examination, and (i...
Read more