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Sudden Hearing Loss: A 72-Hour Medical Emergency?
28 Feb
Summary
- Sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency, often requiring treatment within 72 hours.
- A simple humming test can help differentiate between conductive and sensorineural loss.
- Hearing loss can be treatable or permanent, with sudden sensorineural loss being irreversible.
A medical professional has detailed urgent indicators of hearing loss, identifying a critical 72-hour period for specific conditions. He distinguished between two primary types: conductive hearing loss, often treatable and caused by blockages or infections, and sensorineural hearing loss, typically irreversible damage to the inner ear or nerve.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurring suddenly is classified as a medical emergency, with a limited treatment window of approximately 72 hours to potentially preserve hearing. After this period, prognoses are considerably poorer. The doctor introduced a simple at-home test involving humming while blocking the ears to help distinguish the type of hearing loss.
According to the explanation, if humming sounds loudest in the ear with reduced hearing, it suggests conductive loss, where sound is trapped. Conversely, if the hum is louder in the unaffected ear, it points to sensorineural damage, indicating the inner ear or nerve cannot process sound effectively. Gradual hearing loss warrants a GP assessment but is less urgent.
