Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 7/27/2009

Question
3 MONTHS AGO I WOKE UP WITH BELLS PALSY ON MY LEFT SIDE AND HEARING LOSS ON MY RIGHT SIDE.  EVERY DOCTOR I HAVE SEEN SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. I WAS PUT ON A 2 WEEK COURSE OF STEROIDS AFTER THE 3RD DAY. MY FACE WAS FINE AFTER ABOUT A MONTH.
I HAD 2 HEARING TESTS WITH LOW FREQUENCY LOSS, UPWARD SLOPE, SEVERE HEARING LOSS. I FEEL MY HEARING HAS IMPROVED A LITTLE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS. I STILL HAVE TINGLING ON MY FACE ESPECIALLY AROUND MY EAR. I HAVE HAD AN MRI. EVERTHING WAS FINE. I ALSO HAD A ROOT CANAL 2 WEEDKS AGO ON A TOOTH THAT IS RIGHT BY MY EAR.  MY QUESTION IS HAVE YOU EVERY HEARD OF THIS SITUATION AND COULD THE HEARING LOSS BE DUE TO THE VIRUS OR TOOTH AND WHAT DO YOU SEE AS MY PROSPECTS FOR GAINING MY HEARING BACK.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Answer
Hi Kathy,
Although it is most common to have the hearing loss and Bell's Palsy on the same side, it is not unheard of to have them on opposite sides. It is also possible that your BP and hearing loss are not related but coincidental.  It is also possible that this is not BP, but something all together different.

I am assuming you consulted both ENTs and neurologists.  If you haven't consulted the latter, I suggest you do.  The neurologist would order an MRI that would give different information than one an ENT would order.  

As for your hearing returning; again, that depends on the cause.  Obviously, the longer the loss lasts, the less the chance of recovery.  Right now, you need to monitor your hearing to see if there are any changes, protect the hearing you do have, and try to keep yourself healthy.

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