Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 9/25/2008

Question
Hi, In June of this year, I was in the pool with my son, he had a mouth full of
water and he managed to spit it right into my right ear, after about as week,
my ear started ringing, off and on, Then after another week it started ringing
all the time. I saw my Dr. (Well Physican's Asst.) She said it was fluid in my
ear. Told me to be patient and give it time, and drink lots of fluids and take
Mucinex. Well I waited until Aug, It was still ringing and I couldn't hear that
well (thought it was due to the fluid). Called my Dr. and he said I should see
an ENT. Went to an ENT and did a hearing test and said I had hearing loss, but  
I had no fluid in my ear, he doubted I ever did. He said everything seemed
normal, maybe I had a virus, but It was to late to give me steroids. Also had
an MRI came back normal. He said I have sudden hearing loss and will
probably have tinnitus forever. I don't understand how you can have sudden
hearing loss  without a cause, could it be because I listen to an ipod? If it's
from a virus could it ever get better? any suggestions on how to stop the
tinnitus? or at least help it a little?  My ENT  will be doing another hearing
test in Nov. But says more than likely I'll need a hearing aid, so sad, I'm only
44. But any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!
s

Answer
Hi Arline,
You suffered a trauma to the ear.  Depending on the severity of the trauma, the loss could be permanent or it could recover.  However, it would seem to me that your son would have had to exert a terrific amount of force for the water to do such permanent damage.  Is it possible that you had a loss and this just added to it?  In any case, did you have a perforation?  If so, the water may have gotten into your ear and caused an infection.  Sometimes we never find out the cause of the loss, and that is known as idiopathic hearing loss, meaning of unknown cause.  Here is a great site that will explain causes and treatment options for tinnitus.  You could also find a professional in your area who can help: http://ata.org/  In the meantime, you should avoid loud noise, and use hearing protection.
Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology