Anyone lose hearing overnight?

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Woke up about 5 weeks ago and had noticable hearing loss/ringing in my left ear. I figured it just had fluid or something and thought it would clear up in a day or two. Five weeks later and it is no better. I went to the ENT 2 weeks ago and he thought it may be fluid as well, gave me some nose spray and said come back in two weeks. I told him I shot quite a bit (with protection) but he didn't seem to think it was related. Tomorrow is two weeks and nothing has changed. I have certainly been exposed to plenty of loud engines, music, and a few uprotected gunshots when I was younger and dumber, and sure that I did some damage then but have been pretty religious about wearing protection over the past 10 years. I kinda figured I would go gradually deaf like my grandfather, but didn't expect to lose quite so much hearing in my early 30's.

Anyone else just wake up half (well maybe 25%) deaf one morning?

[sundog]

I had an ear infection two years ago that was successfully treated with antibiotics. However, it has not equalized pressure since then. I've had several treatments with no success, including a full head/brain MRI to make sure nothing neurological is going on. I've been dealing with hearing loss and tinnitis for years, but not being able to equalize pressure is driving me nuts. Last trip to the specialist we discussed surgery options - which are not good options.

[felix]

Yep, very same as Sundog. Docs around here say it is caused by a flu like virus, much like diabetes (type 1). ... felix

[375RUGER]

Huuh?

[bowfin]

Yep.

It happened when I was 21, and it's still there thirty years later.

[x101airborne]

Why? Is my wife talking again?

[Pb2au]

My wife lost about 85% of her hearing in her left in an instant. We were walking down to the beach and she suddenly stopped, and sat down. Just like that. She said she couldn't hear a thing in her left ear. She was a bit dizzy, and felt a little under the weather.
We were camping, so we had to find a hospital in the middle of nowhere. The Doc checked her out, and couldn't find anything mechanical wrong. Eardrum was good, etc etc. We ended up going home and to a specialist. The best guess was a viral infection which screwed up the nerves in her ear.
That was about ten years ago. Her hearing has gotten a bit worse over the years. The saw bones speculate that it will eventually get to the point where it is a total loss.
So maybe this might be some food for thought.

[Jailer]

Friend of mine lost almost all of his hearing in one ear from an infection about a year or so ago.

He went from great hearing to needing hearing aids in less than a weeks time.

[oldred]

Have you been taking any medications? Quite a few of the antibiotics can cause this and unfortunately it's usually permanent. Pain medications containing Hydrocodone can also cause this problem and the newer pain medication Tramadol has apparently been causing this problem for some people. I have noise induced Tinnitus and these pain medications really kick it into high gear, especially the Tramadol containing preparations (Ultram and Ultracet).

[geargnasher]

My left ear occasionally and suddenly just shuts off like you flipped a switch and all I can hear is a high-pitched squeal like microphone feedback, usually comes back in 15-20 seconds, never figured out why. I think it has to do with blood pressure spikes, but usually occurs while resting or going to sleep.

As to what may be wrong with yours, I coudn't say.

Gear

[brassrat]

Wow this is scary talk. I did have wax cause some hearing loss a couple times and once both ears just about shut off at the same time.

[felix]

Tramadol. I just looked it up, appears deadly in itself to anyone with any kind of psych problem even if unknown. Much safer, in my opinion, would be OxyCotin for a continuous release. ... felix

[Horace]

In 1986 I had a "Acoustic neuroma"tumor removed from my right acoustic nerve is was benign, I lost all hearing in the right side.

Horace

[WILCO]

Wow this is scary talk.

Indeed!

[Freightman]

In 1986 I had a "Acoustic neuroma"tumor removed from my right acoustic nerve is was benign, I lost all hearing in the right side.

Horace

Same thing in '93 right ear is good for holding up my glasses, left ear is getting where I can not hear women's or children's voices without looking at them.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

My left ear occasionally and suddenly just shuts off like you flipped a switch and all I can hear is a high-pitched squeal like microphone feedback, usually comes back in 15-20 seconds, never figured out why. I think it has to do with blood pressure spikes, but usually occurs while resting or going to sleep.

As to what may be wrong with yours, I coudn't say.

Gear

Yeah, I had that happen too, seems like a certain tone/pitch sound sets it off. Can't really remember the last time it happened though, pobably only get it once every several months.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Have you been taking any medications? Quite a few of the antibiotics can cause this and unfortunately it's usually permanent. Pain medications containing Hydrocodone can also cause this problem and the newer pain medication Tramadol has apparently been causing this problem for some people. I have noise induced Tinnitus and these pain medications really kick it into high gear, especially the Tramadol containing preparations (Ultram and Ultracet).

Not recently but I have certainly taken my fair share of antibiotics and pain meds for various things over the past 10 years.

[Bill*]

My left ear occasionally and suddenly just shuts off like you flipped a switch and all I can hear is a high-pitched squeal like microphone feedback, usually comes back in 15-20 seconds, never figured out why. I think it has to do with blood pressure spikes, but usually occurs while resting or going to sleep.

As to what may be wrong with yours, I coudn't say.

Gear

Yup....three/four times a year. Seems to happen when I'm reading. It hasn't gotten worse in a couple of decades so I just ignore it.

[montana_charlie]

I occasionally get a small piece of dried wax, or perhaps dead skin cells, or a mixture of both, that forms a little 'mobile deadener'.
Mobile because it moves in and out of position, and deadener because it lays against the eardrum and causes it to stop vibrating.

It is like going almost totally deaf in one ear ... all in an instant.

The most effective way of getting that little 'gob' gone from the ear is to wash it out with a stream of warm water.
If you lay on your back while the gentle flush is squirting in, the liquid will drain out very efficiently, carrying the debris with it.

One method for the flush is to use a large syringe (without a needle), but that takes two people.
I have one of those dental hygiene devices for squirting water in between your teeth.
Warm water and a carefully chosen pressure setting gets it done for me.

CM

[popper]

SIL had scarlet fever as a child and lost all hearing in one ear. I've had tinnitus for >30 yrs, but hearing is quite sensitive, instead of some loss. I get that temp. loss every once in a while, I think caused by allergies; pressure blockage. Sounds are really muffled for a while. I usually push under the lower lobe and it clears up. Infections and drugs can really mess up hearing.

all I can hear is a high-pitched squeal like microphone feedback

gear - that is beginning tinnitus. I think mine started when playing in a rock band.