New research from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) has highlighted the importance of people with sudden hearing loss receiving medical treatment as quickly as possible.
What is sudden hearing loss?
Sudden hearing loss, also known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss, takes place in the inner ear, sometimes happening overnight. For people who are not treated quickly, it can cause permanent hearing loss.
Unfortunately, sudden hearing loss can be confused with temporary causes of hearing loss, such as ear wax or infection, meaning some people might not access diagnosis and treatment until it is too late to recover their hearing.
The importance of rapid treatment
The team of clinician scientists at UCLH have identified the factors which predict full hearing recovery, with the strongest being treatment with steroids within seven days of a sudden drop in hearing.
The researchers collaborated with 240 junior doctors on the largest study to date of adults who were seen with sudden hearing loss across 76 hospitals in England and Wales.
Analysing the data, the team found that patients who received steroids within seven days were five times more likely to fully recover their hearing compared to those who were not given steroids, even after all other factors were considered. These findings are outlined today in the journal ‘JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.’
The research also found that only about 60 per cent of these patients were treated within this critical window. This led the researchers to develop an online tool that can predict the chance of full hearing recovery in adults presenting with sudden hearing loss.
UCLH Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon Mr Nish Mehta led the research. He said:
Time is of the essence when it comes to restoring hearing after sudden hearing loss. It is important that patients who experience a sudden drop in their hearing seek urgent medical attention. It is also important that the medical teams who first see these patients either arrange appropriate urgent specialist review or consider steroid treatment if the specialist review is unlikely to occur within the appropriate timeframe.
“Consultations between specialists and patients can now benefit from precise predictions on the chance of full hearing recovery if our free online calculator is used. This information can be used to guide shared decision making between specialists and their patients regarding treatment and follow up plans.”
Franki Oliver, Audiology Manager at RNID, said:
This research confirms that if you suddenly lose your hearing – either in one or both of your ears – getting treatment quickly is key. A sudden change in hearing is not always serious, but it could be a medical emergency.
“Getting treatment soon increases your chance of recovering your hearing. You should contact your GP or NHS 111 in the first instance, and if you can’t do this you should go to A&E.
”Research like this is incredibly important. As the UK’s only charity dedicated to funding hearing research, RNID is committed to supporting researchers so that together we can find effective treatments for hearing loss and tinnitus.”
Caroline’s experience of sudden hearing loss
Caroline now lives with hearing loss after waking up with a blocked ear and vertigo in 2020. Although she contacted her doctor, she was misdiagnosed with ear wax build up and was not given steroids to help recover her hearing. She said:
As a counsellor and psychotherapist my job is to listen to people, so being able to hear felt really important. Coming to terms with my hearing loss was a difficult time for me. I found it extremely hard to adapt. I would focus my attention on my hearing loss, and I would often wonder if I had misheard something someone said. During times of silence, I really noticed my tinnitus, which was usually a low-level hissing sound.
“If I had been prescribed steroids sooner there’s a chance my hearing might have recovered. My hearing loss has reminded me that we never know what might happen in life and I try to remember to be grateful for the good things around me and live each day as fully as possible. I’d advise anyone who has a sudden change in their hearing to seek medical attention straight away. Sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency, it’s essential you and your doctor act quickly to potentially save your hearing.”
Read Caroline’s story about suddenly losing her hearing.
