Suggest Treatment For Sudden Hearing Loss Coupled With Vertigo

Posted on Tue, 11 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 1 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor, I am suffering from sudden hearing loss coupled with vertigo. It started on Feb26. I was in Munich Germany at that time. I went to the doctors there who gave me infusion fluids along with cortisone injections. I came back to bangalore on 5th and went to a normal doctor who prescribed some drugs.Later I realized that i have to go to an ENT specialist So on 10March, I went to an ENT specialist who also confirmed from audiometry tests that hearing loss is severe and I have to be on steroids.Today, i read about it online and I am totally in for a shock (Referene link:http://www.masseyeandear.org/for-patients/patient-guide/patient-education/diseases-and-conditions/sudden-deafness/). I am quite scared. I also wanted to take a second doctor's opinion. Please tell me frankly the position I could be and if there are any chance of revival of hearing in the right ear. The current medication which my doctor has prescribed is as follows. Ginkoba Betavert 16mg Drego-D Defcort 6mg tapering dose.

Answered by Dr. Hariom Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss Detailed Answer: Hi Sir, I have gone through your query; it suggests that you may be suffering from the Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and you are on the right treatment. In this condition i.e. idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo prognosis is variable but intratympanic steroid has better result than other medicine. For better diagnosis and exclusion of the other disease---> 1. Please send your audiogram image to rule out sensorineural, conductive or mixed hearing loss. 2. Magnetic resonance imaging should be performed to examine the posterior cranial fossa for the presence of a tumor, such as acoustic neuroma. 3. Rheumatologic markers and immunoglobulin levels may be pursued if autoimmune or immunodeficiency processes are suspected as a potential cause of the hearing loss. If you have any doubt, I will be available for your query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Hariom Sharma (29 minutes later)

Thanks for your reply,however I want to know the following. 1)What is probability of my hearing getting back considering that I had the hearing loss on Feb27 but I went to an ENT specialist only on March 10. I mean i found on some websites that it is quite delayed. 2)What is the food diet to be followed.Will any exercises help us out. 3)In worst case, if hearing is gone.Is there any chance of using acoustic instruments. 4)After what timeline, there is no point in taking medicines?After how many days of treatment can the case be concluded . i mean success/failure? 5)Can any surgery be done? Please dont mind as I am a layman, I am asking these questions.

Answered by Dr. Hariom Sharma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Better to go for the above mentioned test...... Detailed Answer: Hi Sir, I have gone through your follow up query; but for better answers of your follow up question you should be first performed above mentioned test. Answers of your queries as below: 1. 50% probability of your hearing getting back. 2. No need to any special food diet and exercise. 3. Yes, hearing aid may be useful. 4. After 6 month from the onset. 5. Depends on your hearing status after treatment. Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj