Q My hearing was completely fine until yesterday, but now one ear can barely hear anything and feels blocked. Why does this happen?
A Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an emergency in which hearing drops by 30 dB or more within 72 hours. It occurs when a viral infection, an inner-ear vascular disturbance, or an autoimmune reaction damages the hair cells of the cochlea. Emergency ENT care is essential the moment symptoms appear.
Detailed Answer
Sudden hearing loss is a sensorineural loss in which one ear suddenly stops hearing without an obvious cause, and it is often accompanied by tinnitus, a blocked sensation, and dizziness. The leading suspected causes are impaired blood flow (ischemia) in the inner-ear cochlea, herpes-family viral infection, and autoimmune inner-ear disease. The first 72 hours are the golden window: high-dose steroids given within this time markedly improve the chance of hearing recovery.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we view sudden hearing loss as a combined state of Kidney deficiency (sin-heo) and Qi stagnation with blood stasis (gi-che-hyeol-eo). We understand it as a situation in which overwork and stress block the flow of Qi and blood, cutting off circulation to the inner ear so that the cochlea falls into an ischemic state. Conventional steroid treatment comes first; Korean medicine is used alongside it during the recovery phase, after the initial emergency care, with the goal of improving blood flow and replenishing Kidney deficiency.
Related FAQs
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Q
If I receive treatment diligently for sudden hearing loss, can I hear exactly as before?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
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Tinnitus came along with my sudden hearing loss. If the hearing loss heals, will the tinnitus naturally get better too?
#Comorbidities
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Q
Dizziness came along with my sudden hearing loss. Does accompanying dizziness mean a worse prognosis?
#Comorbidities
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Q
When sudden hearing loss occurs, are there things I should do right away at home and things I must not do?
#Lifestyle Management
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Q
While I am in treatment, what daily habits help my recovery?
#Lifestyle Management