Sudden-Onset Hearing Loss: All cases of sudden onset hearing loss should be checked immediately. While most cases of sudden hearing loss are not permanent or serious, some cases can become permanent if not treated immediately. Over the course of my nineteen years in the hearing industry, I have witnessed numerous cases where sudden onset single-sided deafness became permanent due to lack of immediate treatment. Every one of the people said if they had known how serious it was, they would have had it checked immediately. Determining if a sudden hearing loss is serious and could become permanent first requires a visual inspection of the ear canal followed by a hearing evaluation that includes both air and bone-conduction tests.

Common causes of sudden hearing loss that are typically reversable and can be verified visually include impacted earwax or middle ear infections. Sudden hearing loss resulting from trauma (such as caused by loud noise exposure) or infections of the inner ear can become permanent if not immediately properly treated, but can only be verified with an audiometric evaluation.

This past month multiple people came into the office who lost hearing suddenly. These included several who had impacted wax, a number with middle ear infections, two with outer ear infections, and a couple from loud noise exposure. Fortunately, none of these cases involved inner ear infection and were temporary.

Ear Wax Removal: Impacted earwax can cause temporary hearing loss that can either come on slowly or immediately, typically after impacting with a cotton swab or when water becomes trapped by the wax (which increases the likelihood of an outer ear infection.) A ruptured or torn tympanic membrane (eardrum) caused by using Q-tips or a bobby pin to try to remove wax can cause permanent hearing loss. A cotton swab should only be used to clean wax from the outermost portion of the ear canal and concha or bowl of the ear.An examination of the canal should be done before putting any liquid, drops, or spray into an ear canal to ensure there is not a hole in the eardrum. Liquids and medications that pass through the eardrum into the middle ear can cause pain, infection and potentially permanent hearing loss. Using our video otoscope, we can show you on the monitor exactly what is in your ear canal.

Hearing Protection: With the upcoming hunting seasons around the corner, we want to remind everyone of the importance of using properly fit hearing protection when shooting while competing, target practicing, sighting in firearms, or actively hunting. One patient recently shared about losing hearing while target shooting and wearing foam plugs that did not fit properly. This is one reason we recommend custom hearing protection solutions that will maximize protection for in-ear options. When using standard foam plugs, we recommend doubling up with muffs to maximize the NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) whenever possible. Custom electronic devices such as the Soundgear Phantom make it possible to wear hearing protection and continue to hear and communicate even when actively hunting to decrease the likelihood of hearing loss.

If you need to protect your hearing, want to have your hearing checked, or need to improve your hearing, please call to schedule an appointment. As a local, independently owned and operated small business, we appreciate your support. Thank you.