Just wanted to ask about a pretty drastic "overnight" hearing loss I experienced a few days ago. Having Menieres for 25 years I have hearing degradation in my bad ear but my hearing loss has never been enough to warrant a hearing aid. Now I suddenly have significant loss judging from my own earbuds. Using the same earbud I switch from left to right and the left is clear as a bell and I can barely hear anything in the right. This has not been the case in the past. Several years ago my "oto" doctor at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia told me if I ever experience "drastic" hearing loss to get in immediately and he may be able to save the hearing. He left the practice a few years ago and I stopped going there. I'm trying to reach my ENT but can't seem to ever talk to a human anymore. Any advice? Is this an indicator that my hearing may be going and what did he mean by he may be able to save it?
Sudden hearing loss is considered a medical emergency. Is there an 'on call' at that practice? If you get hold of ANY human tell them that your dr there told you that you were to come in immediately. Is it a long trip to go in in person and talk to the receptionist to get an apt? Otherwise, go to urgent care, your family dr, another ent, wherever you can get in right away, not next week or next month. They may give you prednisone of other medicine and can test you hearing to track any changes.
Do you have any other symptoms? For example, when my tinnitus is really acting up the hearing in my bad ear decreases.
Thanks for the responses. I did get an appointment and they tested my hearing and it was much worse than in February. The ENT gave me prednisone and said to come back Tuesday for a retest and if no improvement she will put two holes in my eardrum and put an injection of steroids in one, I believe. Not sure of the procedure name. Is this standard and has anyone had this done?