Audiology/Otolaryngology/going deaf

Advertisement

Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 3/17/2009


Question
about 7months ago i started to lose my hearing in my right ear it comes and goes when im outside i cant hear any thing. i went for hearing test then i saw ent surgon he said my hearing has dropped since last hearing test which was only 5 weeks ago prior to seeing him i asked what was wrong and he said he wanted me back in 7 weeks any ideas why

Answer
Hi Josephine,
Without knowing more about your history, I really cannot even begin to guess about why your hearing is getting worse.  But I will offer some general reasons.

General health can affect hearing, thus, if you are diabetic, have high blood pressure, or an autoimmune dysfunction....all these can cause rapid changes in hearing.  Certain tumors, both benign and malignant can cause changes in hearing.  Noise, certain drugs, neurological disorders....all these can cause changes in hearing.  

So, as you can see, there are many reasons why your hearing can change.  My suggestion is that you talk to your ENT before your next appointment and ask him what he thinks may be wrong. Right now, he is the only one who has all the information necessary to make that call.

Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology  

Audiology/Otolaryngology

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D.

Expertise

I am a Board Certified Doctor of Audiology with 25 years of experience. I can answer questions regarding hearing loss, both general and specific, dizziness and vertigo, auditory processing disorders, hearing aids, aural rehabilitation as well as specialized audiologic testing, i.e., Auditory Brainstem Response, VideoNystagmography, Otoacoutic Emissions. I have worked with both pediatric and adult populations. Because of my extensive musical background, I am able to respond to questions regarding the special needs of musicians.

Experience

I have been an audiologist for over 25 years with a specialty in electrophysiology of the auditory and vestibular systems and pediatric evaluations. I currently work in my private consulting practice providing services to nursing homes and schools. My Doctoral research was on specialized techniques in Auditory Brainstem Responses.

Organizations
American Academy of Audiology, - American Speech Language Hearing Association, - Hearing Loss Association of America

Education/Credentials
Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology), Nova Southeastern University, 2000. Board Certified Doctor of Audiology (American Board of Audiology) Certificate in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.