Sudden deafness, medically termed Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss(SSHL), usually occurs as a sudden, unexplained hearing loss in either one ear or both. 

Sudden hearing loss need not always be sudden, however, & can also occur gradually, until the hearing is completely lost in one or both the ears.

Sudden hearing loss should be considered a medical emergency, needing immediate attention of experts & specialists. 

Most times, people who develop sudden hearing loss hesitate to go to the doctor as they believe it will clear up on its own time. However, this is a dangerous assumption to make & the more you delay your visit to the doctor, the less the treatments of sudden hearing loss will be effective.

Most people who develop sudden hearing loss, do so in only one ear. Rarely enough, however, sudden hearing loss in both the ears is also seen. 

Diagnosis of Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden hearing loss is diagnosed using a standard hearing test called Pure Tone Audiometry. This test determines if the hearing loss is caused by an obstruction in the path of sound waves like inner ear fluid, ear wax, tumours, etc., or if it is caused by neurological issues. This test can also determine the amount of hearing loss in decibels. 

If the test logs a loss of at least 30 decibels in three connected frequencies, then the patient is diagnosed as suffering from Sudden Hearing Loss. 

To make it clear for the layman reader to understand, a loss of 30 decibels in hearing frequency will make conversations on a regular pitch sound more like a whisper. 

Most people with sudden hearing loss notice the loss of hearing when they wake up in the morning one day. 

Some others, however, discover their hearing loss when they try to use the deafened ear while talking on phones or any other thing. 

Some people with sudden hearing loss also report hearing a loud ‘pop’ like sound just before they notice their hearing loss. 

Often, people who report to hospitals with sudden hearing loss also complain of feeling dizzy & a loud ringing noise in their ears also called tinnitus. 

This happens as a result of the neurological disturbances in the balance centre that is located in the inner ear. When a person experiences sudden hearing loss, their balance centre also gets disoriented, thus leading to sensations of spinning, a loss of balance, & feelings of dizziness. 

Causes of Sudden Hearing Loss

In most cases of Sudden hearing loss, close to approximately 85%, there is no proper identifiable cause. Only about 10-15% of patients with sudden hearing loss have a known cause. 

These known causes of sudden hearing loss include:

• Certain infectious diseases that affect the inner ear

• Trauma from a head injury

• Autoimmune diseases like Cogan’s syndrome

• Taking an overdose of ototoxic drugs, which are drugs that harm the sensory nerves in the inner ear

• Blood circulation issues

• A tumour on the nerve connecting the ear to the brain

• Certain neurological disorders like Multiple Sclerosis, and

• Inner ear diseases like Meniere’s Disease

Treatment of Sudden Hearing Loss

The most common treatment of sudden hearing loss, especially in cases where the cause of the hearing loss is unexplainable, is corticosteroids. 

Steroids are commonly used by medical practitioners to treat various types of disease & disorders. 

Steroids help by reducing inflammation in the body, decreasing swelling, & aiding the body’s immune system to fight back in most cases of viral infections. 

While steroids are usually prescribed in the form of a pill, direct injection based steroids therapy called intratympanic corticosteroid therapy, has also become popular in recent years.

In this, the corticosteroids are injected in liquid format behind the eardrum into the middle ear, where they travel into the inner ear & reduce any inflammation. 

Intratympanic corticosteroid therapy may also be beneficial for patients who are otherwise unable to take oral steroids. 

Depending on your exact diagnosis, your doctor will prescribe an adequate treatment plan that can help restore the sudden hearing loss. 

Trusting the right specialists & experts with your condition is the first step to take in order to help restore your sudden hearing loss. At Vertigo and Ear Clinic, we have a dedicated team of Vertigo & ear specialists that accurately diagnose, treat, & manage your conditions. 

We utilize a slew of innovative technology, experience, & expertise to help make each of our patients’ lives better. 

Learn more about the treatment of sudden hearing loss here. 

Learn more about us here. 

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Vertigo and Ear clinic

October 22, 2020

 

Hearing aids are used by people all over the world to help mitigate hearing loss in patients. If you or someone you know is looking to buy a hearing aid, there are certain factors that you should consider when it comes to picking the right one.

 

In this blog, we’re going to explore the different aspects that are important when you’re choosing to buy a hearing aid.

 

How does a hearing aid work?

Hearing aids do not treat hearing loss in patients but can help them live a better life. They amplify the sound the patient hears by using an amplifier.

 

Most hearing aids are digital today and come up with a computer chip that is responsible for amplifying the sound that travels into the ear. The amplified sound is then played via a small speaker within the ear so that the incoming sound can be heard clearly by the patient.

 

Types of hearing aids

It is also important to note that there are different types of hearing aids available in the market today. Some of the most popular ones include Completely in the canal (CIC) hearing aids, In the canal (ITC) hearing aids, In the ear (ITE) hearing aids, an Behind the ear (BTE) hearing aids.

The different types of hearing aids come with different sizes, features, and where they are placed in the ear. It is ideal to consult with your ENT specialist when it comes to choosing the type of hearing aid that would be the best for your needs.

 

How to choose a hearing aid?

 

As mentioned above, you should only choose a device after a consultation with your ENT doctor. Other than that, there are a number of other things you can do including:

 

●     Having a significant amount of money set aside for the device. Most hearing devices, even the budget ones, are usually pretty steep when it comes to prices and you should be financially responsible when making the decision to purchase one.

●     Understand the features of the device you chose. Once you’ve selected a device that is appropriate for you, it is prudent to take some time to understand how the device works and the different features that it offers. A lot of patients often lack the understanding and end up using the device ineffectively.

●     Try to get a trial first. A lot of times, you can get a trial period where you can really test if the device is the right fit for you or not. Not every seller will offer a trial period but it is definitely worth going through your options looking for one.

 

Hearing aids make life easier and better!

 

As mentioned earlier in this article, hearing aids do not cure hearing loss but they do provide a significant increase in quality of life for patients around the world. We hope this blog was helpful in directing you towards the right hearing device for your needs.

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Vertigo and Ear clinic

September 21, 2020

Tinnitus, or ringing in ears, is a common problem that affects more than at least 20% of people all over the world. While tinnitus is not a health condition itself, it is a symptom of an underlying health condition such as any injury to the ear, hearing loss caused by old age, or some problem with the vestibular system.

 

When it comes to tinnitus treatment, the exact method of the treatment would depend on the cause of the tinnitus. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some of the self-help guidelines and home therapies that can help you manage tinnitus.

 

Some self-help guidelines for treating tinnitus

 

It is important to note that only a qualified doctor can provide you with the best tinnitus treatment,   but the following tips can be useful to manage the symptom:

 

●     If you’re experiencing ringing in ears, avoiding triggers that amplify the symptom can help a lot. Different people have different triggers for tinnitus including caffeinated drinks, salt, aspirin, and alcohol. It can be a good idea to identify the triggers that affect you and then actively avoiding them to prevent tinnitus.

●     Quitting smoking can also help when it comes to tinnitus treatment. Smoking aggravates the symptom as nicotine acts as a stimulant and it also constricts the blood flow and affects the nerve cells that are responsible for hearing.

●     Another self-help method of avoiding ringing in ears is using white noise to reduce the effect of the symptom. Tinnitus is often much worse when there is no background noise. A white noise machine is the best tool when it comes to this approach but you can also try other easily available sources of background noise such as playing soft music, turning on the radio, or even switching on a fan.

●     Relaxation techniques also help significantly with tinnitus treatment. It is common for patients to experience tinnitus more intensely when they’re stressed and worried. By using relaxation techniques, you reduce the stress that you might be feeling. Some of the popular relaxation techniques to mitigate tinnitus include yoga, meditation, and self-hypnosis.

●     Lastly, it is also important to take care of your general health in order to ensure your body is healthy and functioning normally. For example, it is a good idea to ensure you’re eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising enough to keep yourself in shape. Fatigue and bad health not only affects

 

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Vertigo and Ear clinic

August 04, 2020

Vertigo, or dizziness, refers to an experience where a patient either feels that they’re moving when they’re not or things around them are moving when they’re not. As a vertigo specialist might tell you, vertigo is not really a disease but a symptom of an underlying medical condition. And yes, most vertigo patients can be cured with proper medication and treatment.

What is Vertigo? 

As mentioned above, vertigo refers to feeling dizzy or falsely experiencing the sense of motion. There are two types of vertigo - peripheral vertigo and central vertigo. Peripheral vertigo is caused by problems with the inner ear or the vestibular nerve while central vertigo is caused if there is a problem in the brain, especially the area called cerebellum which is responsible for movement and balance.

A vertigo doctor will identify the type of vertigo during the diagnosis before the treatment starts using different tests. However, the majority of vertigo cases are peripheral and caused either by Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, or Acute peripheral vestibulopathy (APV).

The causes of central vertigo are usually more serious and sometimes life-threatening conditions like a stroke, a tumour located in the cerebrum, or multiple sclerosis. 

Since vertigo is a symptom and not a health condition, the treatment provided by a vertigo specialist will depend on the underlying health condition and the cause of vertigo.

Vertigo Treatment

Even though a vertigo doctor will prescribe the treatment for vertigo based on the underlying health condition that is causing it, most doctors use vestibular blocking agents, or VBA medications like antiemetics, benzodiazepines, and antihistamines in the treatment process.

Alongside medication, there are a number of other things that can be involved in the treatment depending on the cause of vertigo. For example, a vertigo specialist may instruct the patient to perform an Epley repositioning manoeuvre in the case of BPPV or diuretic medications in the case of Meniere’s disease. 

In some cases like patients suffering from Meniere’s disease, there is no cure that makes vertigo go away but the doctor can prescribe a number of medications that make it really convenient for the patient to manage their symptoms and live a healthy life.

For the majority of cases, with proper therapy and medication, vertigo can be cured by fixing the underlying health condition using a combination of therapy and medication.

What is the most effective way to cure vertigo?

The most effective way to cure vertigo is to make use of the services of an expert vertigo doctor and follow the prescription and treatment plan as closely as possible. While vertigo can seem like a scary experience, it is relatively common all over the world.

It is better to work with your doctor in a team-based approach rather than expecting them to be the only one putting in efforts to cure you. The fastest way to treat vertigo and any other health conditions is to take care of yourself and follow your doctor’s advice.

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Vertigo and Ear clinic

June 19, 2020

Tinnitus refers to the perception of hearing noises or ringing in the ears. While it can seem a bit scary, tinnitus is actually pretty common and affects a lot of people around the world. However, it can also be a sign of an underlying health condition such as ear injury, hearing loss, or something else.

Tinnitus treatment involves finding the underlying cause of the problem and improving the condition gradually. Some treatments involve reducing or masking the noise which makes the condition much less aggravating and noticeable.

What is tinnitus?

As mentioned above, tinnitus is not really a health condition but a symptom of an underlying problem. The most common cause of tinnitus is damage to the cells of the inner ear hair. The tiny and delicate hairs inside our ear allow us to experience the sensation of sound by moving based on the pressure of sound waves.

The cells of the hair release electrical signals based on the movement which the brain interprets as sound. When these cells are damaged, they can send faulty electrical signals which are then falsely interpreted as sound by our brains which creates the sensation of ringing in the ears.

Some of the common causes of tinnitus include earwax blockage, ear bone changes, age-related hearing loss, and prolonged exposure to loud noises. Some of the uncommon and serious causes of tinnitus include Meniere’s disease, acoustic nueroma, head or neck injuries, and TMJ disorders.

Tinnitus treatment and diagnosis

The treatment of tinnitus will depend on the underlying cause. The diagnosis process can involve imaging tests like CT or MRI scans, hearing examinations, and the doctor might also check to see if the tinnitus is affected by movement.

Treatment for tinnitus can also differ based on how the condition manifests itself. For example, some people might hear a low-pitching ringing in their ears which is usually caused by Meniere’s disease while others may experience a high-pitched ringing in the ears which might be caused by acoustic nueroma.

Some of the popular methods used in treating tinnitus involve treating the underlying health condition such as vascular conditions, or it can involve masking methods that help in noise suppression such as hearing aids and masking devices. Lastly, medications can also be prescribed in case the symptoms are too aggravated with alprazolam and tricyclic antidepressants being commonly used.

How to find the right ear doctor for tinnitus treatment

There is no shortage of ENT doctors to help you with tinnitus but you should use the services of a trusted and qualified doctor that understands your problem perfectly. Find the best treatment for any ear and vertigo related problems at Dr. Anita’s Vertigo and Ear Clinic.

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Vertigo and Ear clinic

May 20, 2020

Multiplesclerosis is an immune-mediated disorder that affects the central nervous system of a person’s body. In this disorder, a person's immune system, which is designed to keep the body healthy and immune from diseases, damages the myelin sheath of nerve fibres. The myelin sheath is originally a safety cover which helps in successful nerve conduction. 

When this protective cover is damaged, the injury results in dysfunction in the brain and spinal cords. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are unpredictable and they change in person to person based on the intensity of the disease. Below are the most common symptoms multiple sclerosis patients may experience.

Vision Impairment

Problems in healthy vision are one of the most common symptoms of this disorder. When the disease affects brain cords, the first organs to be impacted are eyes. The patient does not necessarily experience the loss in vision immediately. But the changes are gradual. The patient may feel pain while looking up or to one side.

Fatigue and Weakness

One of the major and most prominent symptoms of multiple sclerosis is obscure fatigue. A person may suddenly start feeling weakness in his/her body. This fatigue and feeling of tiredness usually last for more than 3 months. This chronic fatigue is generally first experienced in legs by most patients.

Pain and Muscle Cramps

Majority of patients experience unexplained chronic pain as early symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Stiffness in muscles and sudden cramps are often followed by painful jerking movements. These pain and spasms most commonly occur in legs and back.

Tingling and Numbness

When there is an irregularity in the signals sent by the brain through the nervous system, one may feel a tingling sensation in the face, arms, legs, or fingers. At times there might be no signals at all. It causes numbness in the limbs as they do not function properly in the absence of instructions from the brain.

Dizziness/ Vertigo

Vertigo is one of the most common symptoms multiple sclerosis patients may have to deal with. The dysfunctionality of the nerve system results in dizziness. The patient may feel as if everything in his/her surroundings is spinning. It may further result in difficulty in focusing.

Unsteadiness/ Instability

Similar to dizziness, the patient may feel trouble in maintaining balance. Unsteadiness and instability are one of the symptoms of MS. Patients of MS may have problems in maintaining natural gait and may not be able to walk without support.

Sexual Dysfunction

While there is a lack of signals passed to organs from the brain, you may find difficulty in sexual drives. The problems in the central nervous system causes issues with sexual arousal.

Bowel and Bladder Problems

Along with sexual dysfunction, a person may experience issues with bladder and bowel movements. Holding and resisting urine becomes difficult for the patient. The symptoms may include the uncontrollable urge of urination and frequent urination. The patient may also suffer from constipation, indigestion, and loose motions.

Along with above-mentioned symptoms, the patient of multiple sclerosis may develop memory issues. Retaining information and remembering stuff can be difficult for the patients. Other symptoms may include shortened attention span, irritability, mood swings, stress etc. The symptoms of MS may develop gradually over time. One must consult a doctor if he/she finds themselves suffering from the above symptoms.

full information for clikc : http://vertigoandearclinic.com/multiple-sclerosis.php

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Vertigo and Ear clinic

April 16, 2020

Tinnitus can be described as the sensation of sound heard by a patient. The sounds can be variously described as a buzzing, hissing & ringing, etc. This sound is defined as the conscious experience of sound that originates within the head of the listener, without any external source.

This sound sensation can be experienced in both ears, though often the patient is not sure about which ear the sound is coming from, & feels as though it is coming from the head.

The sound sensations arising out of tinnitus may vary in the type of sound, low & high pitches. It may be constant & intermittent or soft, loud or variable in intensity. 

Tinnitus is quite common, & is the most prevalent in older people. It is seen in both males & females, although males report more tinnitus cases overall.

Tinnitus is also associated with hearing loss, although it’s not always the case.

Read more about Tinnitus, its causes, diagnosis & treatment here. 

Tinnitus Causes:

There are many tinnitus causes. Some of the most common ones are:

Exposure to loud noise

Hearing loss related to old age or Presbyacusis

Wax inside the ear

Head injury or injury related to whiplash

Ear infections including Otitis media, secretory otitis, labyrinthitis

Certain drugs like aspirin, malaria-fighting drugs like quinine & chloroquine, antibiotics belonging to the mycin group- gentamycin & streptomycin, medications used in chemotherapy, & some diuretics, can cause a temporary or persistent Tinnitus

Medical conditions like hypertension, anemia, thyroid disorders & diabetes

Meniere’s disease

Cerebellopontine angle tumours like acoustic neuroma,

High caffeine intake

Alcohol consumption

Migraine headaches

For patients suffering from Tinnitus, it’s advisable that they undergo audiological & thorough medical evaluation to ascertain the cause of the disorder. 

There are multiple Tinnitus myths. With every patient that suffers from Tinnitus, there are many Tinnitus myths that they harbour. 

Most of these myths have their basis in the fact that a majority of people, including medical practitioners believe that tinnitus is untreatable, & that once you have it, you have to live with it forever. 

In this article, we are here to bust some popular myths around tinnitus, its causes & hearing loss among patients. Read on to know more.

Myth #1: There’s nothing you can do about Tinnitus!

Myth Bust: Many patients go to the doctor with complaints of ringing & buzzing in their ears but are turned away with the saying that there’s nothing that they can they do about it.  Most patients are told just to wait for it to go away on its own. 

However, this is a myth & there is a lot that you can do to treat & manage Tinnitus. 

Below are some proven ways to treat & manage Tinnitus. 

Tinnitus Sound Therapy: Sound is an important element in treating Tinnitus. Amplified sounds from hearing aids, environmental influences, music or noise generators can help minimize the effect from the constant ringing & buzzing in the patient’s ears. 

Ear Protection: Since exposure to loud noises is the leading cause of Tinnitus, earing ear protection masks & earbuds is a must for Tinnitus patients. 

Tinnitus Counseling: Assessment & counselling with an experienced healthcare professional trained in managing & treating Tinnitus in patients. Regular counselling & treatment can help patients live a healthy life & improve the quality of their life by treating tinnitus causes. The effects of Tinnitus can be lessened by a combination of counselling & treatment. 

 ZEN tones in hearing aid: ZEN tones have been known to give relief to Tinnitus patients. They work by amplifying environmental sounds & the sounds in nature to minimize the effect of ringing & buzzing in the patients’ ears. 

Relaxation exercises: Stress is known to increase the discomfort of Tinnitus patients. When you feel excessive discomfort, try destressing yourself by taking a walk, reading a book, watching TV, etc. 

Certain yoga postures also help to bring your stress levels down. 

Myth #2: Tinnitus is temporary & will go away on its own.

Myth Bust: Some forms of Tinnitus are temporary & are caused by sudden exposure to loud noise. Others, however, are more long-lasting & consist of recurring episodes. It’s important to remember that Tinnitus affects people in many different ways. According to the UK’s National Health Centre, ‘there are many sounds of Tinnitus’, including Mild Tinnitus, High-pitched Tinnitus, Low-frequency Tinnitus & Musical hallucinations. 

Some of these can & do last for a lifetime, albeit can be managed by different exercises & ear protection. 

Myth #3: Some pills can help cure Tinnitus.

Muth Bust: Some health companies will try to sell you a permanent cure for Tinnitus in the form of ‘magic’ pills. But medical science hasn’t yet gotten around to finding a cure for Tinnitus, so patients are advised not to fall for any of these scams. 

Myth #4: Tinnitus & Hearing Loss aren’t linked.

Myth Bust: Many Tinnitus patients will also experience Hearing Loss. A medical survey revealed that out of 123 patients, only one reported no hearing loss. The British Tinnitus Association states that around 90% of all Tinnitus patients experience hearing loss. 

Myth #5: If you don’t listen to loud music you won’t get Tinnitus.

Myth Bust: Loud exposure to music is just one cause of Tinnitus; there are several other causes. Even if you don’t listen to loud music, you might still get Tinnitus. 

If you’re experiencing ringing, buzzing, hissing in your ears, it’s advisable that you go for diagnosing & treating Tinnitus. 

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Vertigo and Ear clinic

March 21, 2020