I started this blog after becoming frustrated that most available information regarding SSHL is clinically focused; little information is available about how to adapt to this condition that, for many people, decreases quality of life due to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and vertigo (dizziness). For these reasons, I’m excited to share this article from the International Journal of Audiology by Carlsson, Hall, Lind, and Danermark titled “Quality of life, psychosocial consequences, and audiological rehabilitation after sudden sensorineural hearing loss.”
OK, so it’s a technical article written for a clinical audience – BUT, it does get to the heart of the matter for many patients whose quality of life is compromised by SSHL: doctors need to treat our hearing loss AND speak to the life alternating impacts of our hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.
Here are findings about how quality of life is impacted by SSHL. Overall, people with more pronounced hearing losses were more likely to report low quality of life. These findings are based on paper surveys mailed to patients after seeing a doctor for SSHL. People who had experienced profound or severe hearing loss were more likely to respond to the survey than people with moderate or no hearing loss, so the authors are keen to point out that low quality of life may have been over-reported. In any case, the results provide context for what it is like to have SSHL and related symptoms such as tinnitus and vertigo.
From Table 1. Summary of patients in the study Severe or profound hearing loss (PTA >= 70 dB): 40% Hearing recovery: 31% Tinnitus (always or often): 42% Vertigo (remaining since hearing loss): 34% From Table 4. Proportion of patients with tinnitus (always or often) 1-3 years: 22% 4-6 years: 23% 7+ years: 24% From Table 4. Proportion of patients with vertigo (remaining since hearing loss) 1-3 years: 34% 4-6 years: 42% 7+ years: 29% From Tables 5 and 8. Proportion of patients who used some or all of their sick time after SSHL Immediately after SSHL: 29% 1-3 years after SSHL: 29% 4-6 years after SSHL: 35% 7+ years after SSHL: 27% Of patients using 25%-100% of their sick time, the portion who always or often experience tinnitus: 61% Of patients using 25%-100% of their sick time, the portion who experience vertigo: 47%
Life with Sudden Sensorial Hearing Loss (SSHL) 
10 comments
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February 16, 2012 at 4:26 am
c
Thanks for the article. Just came across your blog and have appreciated your story. I was recently diagnosed with SSHL.
March 20, 2012 at 1:25 am
dave
I was diagnosed with SSHl at the end of January. Unfortunately i did not see my general practioner until a week after my first signs of a problem. I thought it was due to the head cold that I had just gotten and would clear up. Once seeing the GP he said to see a specialist. Unfortunately he did not stress that it was an emergency and I did not push the specialist to come in and I took the next available which was a week later.
I have done all the treatments with no success.
I am now trying to accept the fact that the hearing loss, dizziness, ear pressure and ringing are in varying degrees going to be a part of my life.
It is hard to believe it will never get better. And why me?
Focusing on these thoughts when I am alone is extremely depressing.
We have all heard that anger is a common first reaction to loss.
An it is probably useful in someway to recognize it. I ‘ve hitting a bag at the club.
I guess it is all about ways to manage things day to day.
I am open to conversing with others about what thay are doing or have done.
Especially people who have dealt with this for a while.
Thanks
March 20, 2012 at 12:44 pm
suddendeafness
Hi Dave! Thanks for your post. If it’s any consolation, my first year with SSHL was really rough, but my quality of life improved dramatically after in the first few months and returned to something close to ‘normal’ by the end of the first year. An old friend recently contacted me because she also experienced SSHL in January. I realized while talking to her, there are a number of posts I would like to add to this blog to provide more information and encouragement about adapting to hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus (all of which get MUCH easier to deal with over time – I promise!). Let me know if you have any specific questions, concerns, or frustrations. I’ve been slow to add posts (sorry!!), but your feedback will help me prioritize what I contribute next.
What do you do? How has SSHL been disruptive to your life? Are there any posts that you’d like me to expand on?
Take care!
Dana
August 20, 2012 at 10:35 pm
carol
Dave, I to was just diagnosed with SSHL three and 1/2 weeks ago. 100% hearing loss in the right ear. Went to bed one evening and awoke about midnight with a filling of something like cotton in my left ear. First reaction was a bug in my ear, Boy did i lay quite the rest of the night, afraid to death what was in my ear was going to go deeper. 8 a.m..came got the phone to call the DR. and could not hear anything. Thought the phone was not working. Slapped it a little tell it dawned on me i could not hear. Got my husband and called the Dr. Family Dr. referred me right away to a specialist and ENT. By 10:30 in the morning I had my diagnoises of SSHL. Put me on 10 days of steroids, no help, A series iif 3 injections in the ear still no change. I have constant 24/7 ringing in my ears and at times what I do hear is often muffeled, noises I do hear are Also I have trouble finding what direction noise is coming from. It’s been tough this past week as I feel like I am going crazy. Do you or any one else relate to this? I have anothe dr. appointment nxt monday the 27th so I will hang on tell than. Thanks for listening..
March 21, 2012 at 4:03 am
dave
I have to take time and read more of your posts. I too have noticed that I sleep better. I was a 5:00am riser. slept till 7:00am this morning. A positive thought which we can all use more of.
My work is as an investment consultant. tough day today. Difficult to focus. Certainly did not want to deal with problems.
Main issue today was the constant ear pressure. Obsessed about it.
Dana, I think I will be getting a hearing aid for my right ear in the near future.
Don’t know if you have one but i was wondering if being able to hear better might reduce the pressure sensation. Being able to hear better may trick the brain somehow.
Would be very interested in what you have experienced in this area.
Thanks very much.
August 29, 2012 at 3:40 am
suddendeafness
Hi Dave,
I had a pressure in my ear / behind my eye at first (more noticeable for the first few months), but it decreased considerably by the end of the first year. And now, several years later, I don’t have any pressure. I don’t have any guesses about how your brain will perceive the pressure if you start using a hearing aid. It might be the perfect distraction/input.
I so rarely use my BAHA now, that when i do, it gives me a mild headache (I’m guessing because I’m pumping amplified sound waves through my skull). So, ironically, it’s when I use my hearing aid that I feel pressure now. But I follow your train of thought on this one – it’s about what you’re brain is used to, and giving it familiar input might relieve some of the pressure. It certainly won’t hurt things 🙂
Take care, Dana
May 27, 2012 at 12:32 am
chris
Hello, I just found your website and it’s kind of weird how many similar experiences we’ve had. I experienced SSHL on June 17, 2007, almost exactly when you did! I was in California, but soon after went to Brazil (where my husband is from). I didn’t have to go through the awful experience of losing one’s hearing outside of the country, though.
When I first lost my hearing in 2007, I pored over the internet but didn’t find very much; one guy had a pretty good blog but I haven’t read it in a while. I pretty much gave up on treatment after seeing two doctors. I’m now looking into hearing aids, although the ENT’s I saw discouraged me from trying them.
Anyway, thank you for the website! I also share your optimistic humorous outlook about life with SSHL. for me the tinnitus is almost more unbearable than the hearing loss itself. the vertigo has subsided, thankfully.
I do sleep better on the one side, especially if the husband is snoring. I can tune people out if I want to (“you know I’m half deaf so I can’t hear you”). I believe having a sense of humor gets us through so much more.
take care,
Chris
August 29, 2012 at 3:43 am
suddendeafness
Hi Chris,
Interesting that we lost our hearing so close in time! In addition to the CROS hearing aid and BAHA, you might look into SoundBite. Someone mentioned it on this blog recently, and I don’t know much of anything about it, but it does look intriguing!
All the best, Dana
October 20, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Mike burns
Reading all these blogs sounds like there writing about me. I was diagnosed with SSHL last month. I’m a musician , have played drums since I was literally 5 years old . One Friday night after practice noticed had some ringing in my left ear, no
Big deal , my ears always ring a little bit. Saturday morning my ears were still ringing , got up to make a cup of coffee ,while I was making coffee I suddenly got a huge head rush then the room started spinning. I made it to the couch. Within 20 minutes I became deafly ill ( no punt intended) throwing up like I had a stomach bug. And in my left ear sounds sounded like they were coming from a PVC pipe, after 30 minutes I was completely deaf in left ear. I was too sick to make it to ER that Saturday, Sunday morning my Father in law helped me get to he car so my Wife could drive me to ER , they started treating me as though I had a stroke. EKG came out fine. They shot me up with Valium and finnigan. And IV of fluids because I was so dehydrated . At that point I was actually able to keep food down and walk by myself down the hallway an back. Monday I went to see my ear nose throat specialist who I use to manage my hypo thyroid . I went through 2 series of shots in the ear drum of steroids . Shot in the side of steroids and for two weeks I was on steroids by mouth and inti viral medicine. Also followed by 20 treatments of hyperbaric oxygen treatments. Unfortunately I’m still deaf in left ear and still fills like I have a sea shell strapped on my ear with random high pitched sqeeks and snapping crackling sounds. My hyperbaric dr. Says that’s a good sign because that signifies that the nerve endings are still alive and that it could take time for regeneration of the nerves to heal and repair them selves. So it’s a bitter sweet thing with me hearing these ringing sounds and white noise in my ear. But after reading all of your blogs I’m kind of freaking out does this noise ever go away? As for vertigo,it’s gone I just can’t move as fast as I used to because ill get off balance , kind of like I’m standing up in a boat. So it’s a constant challenge not to start veering off to the left when I’m trying to walk straight.
October 25, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Judith
I would not recommend the SoundBite. I made the investment, and found that the product causes feedback when your cheek brushes along the product (when smiling or eating). But this circumstance has made me rely on my good ear and not any devices! Good luck!
Best,
Judith