Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 5/18/2008

Question
Six weeks ago, I woke up from sleeping to find that my right ear was not receiving any sound, but it was making a type of 'wind-like or static' sound. I thought I had a wax problem. After using hot oils and seeing my local doctor 2 times within 8 days, I went to an ENT specialist. I had an my first Audiometry test then an MRI. I do not have a tumor, but he could not see any other reason why my Cochlea seems to not work. My 2nd Audiometry test shows that I have a very small increase in my receiving sound, some very dull or very high pitched, but I still cannot understand and make out voices.  When I speak, since my eardrum seems to be working, sounds seem to bounce around and come back into my ear and magnify. I have no pain, dizziness or cold/sinus symptoms. I have to wait another 6 weeks before I see the specialist again. This 24/7 noise is just very annoying, plus the fact that I have 1/2 of my hearing is another problem. Could this same thing happen to my right ear? Also, I have read about Meniere's disease.  Is this a possibility?

Answer
Dear Joan,
Sorry about your discomfort. Whenever there is a case of sudden hearing loss, the standard procedure is to rule out a tumor, which is exactly what your ENT did. Once that is done and all other causes, for instance a middle ear infection, are ruled out, unfortunately the next step is usually "wait and see."  Many times we never find the reason.  Sometimes the hearing returns, sometimes it doesn't.  There are several causes for sudden hearing loss, one of which is auto-immune inner ear inflammatory disease.  Did the ENT give you any medications, for instance a steroid?  That echo you hear is not your eardrum, but most likey it is your damaged cochlea processing the sound.  This type of loss is not common in Meniere's disease, which is usually gradual, low-frequency and accompanied by dizziness.  As far as this happening to your right ear, I am sorry to say that yes, it is a possibility.  Probably the best thing you can do right now is try to stay as healthy as possible, and avoid loud noise. If your hearing does not return, and the noise, which is called "tinnitus," is still annoying, there are several therapies to try.  You may want to check out Neuromonics.com for a new and successful one.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology