Acute Deafness (Sudden)
What is sudden deafness?
Deafness is a sharp decrease acute hearing of an intensity greater than 30 dB in three adjacent audiometric frequencies occurring in a period no longer than 3 days, often affecting only one ear. Among ENT emergencies, sudden deafness specific ranks because, although not always find the cause, needs urgent treatment.
Any patient who complains of a sudden or rapidly progressive decline in their hearing, submit to an examination ENT immediately, and if in doubt, a check audiometer.
This disease is rare, affecting 10 patients per 100,000 inhabitants per year. In 98% of cases affects only one ear. Most patients are in the fifth decade of life although cases can occur at any age. It affects both men and women.
What is the cause of sudden deafness?
Despite numerous scientific studies, the causes of acute hearing loss remain unclear. There are multiple causes, but in the vast majority of patients can not prove any of them. It is considered that the most common are:
- Virus infection (80% of cases)
- Vascular disorders (thrombosis or embolism)
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Injuries.
What symptoms do you have a patient with sudden deafness?
The patient goes to the doctor for a sudden loss of hearing in one ear. In many cases, hearing loss accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ear) of the same ear. In 30% of patients may be associated with vertigo or dizziness, but not all of sudden onset deafness is acute deafness. The criteria for defining acute deafness are:
- Deafness of acute onset or rapid
- Deafness of perception which originates in the cochlea of the inner ear
- Deafness of unknown cause.