Sudden hearing loss in Singapore can present as blocked ear and this condition can be rather distressing! We have had quite a few patients coming to see me as an experienced ENT doctor in Singapore, with sudden blocked ear. I think I probably see 3 to 4 cases of sudden hearing loss every month. Overall, this condition is still quite uncommon though. Although blocked ear can be caused by fluid trapped behind the eardrum, it may suggest sudden hearing loss. Hearing tests will usually show severe hearing loss in one ear due to some sort of inner ear pathology.

Sudden hearing loss usually almost always affects just one ear. If you suddenly lose your hearing in BOTH ears, there may be a more serious reason. You will need an urgent MRI scan of your brain because brain tumours can compress adjacent structures like the inner ear nerves to cause sudden hearing loss. Rarer auto-immune conditions may also sometimes present with sudden hearing loss in one or both ears.

CAN I HAVE HEARING TESTS OUT-OF-HOURS AS AN EMERGENCY?

Hearing tests are usually performed by trained staff in a soundproof booth in clinic or audiology centre. So this may make it difficult to have a hearing test performed out-of-hours. However, don’t worry, you can still have pretty reliable simple screening tests to assess your hearing by your family doctor or A&E Dr. This helps the doctor to then decide if he or she should prescribe a course of steroids for your ear.

If indicated, the earlier steroid treatment is started, the better for your hearing recovery. Sometimes, oral steroids are given. But in some patients like those who are diabetic, then intratympanic eardrum injections of steroid may be better. Oral steroids do have systemic side effects, including increased blood sugar levels and gastritis. Oral steroids such as prednisolone and cortisone can also affect your sleep.

CAN I SUFFER SUDDEN HEARING LOSS AFTER DIVING?

Sometimes, this can happen after an episode of pressure-related trauma (barotrauma). I recall a patient of mine who went scuba diving. He suffered sudden hearing loss and ear pain after he discovered that he couldn’t pop his ears to equalise the pressures properly. Unfortunately, he kept on forcefully blowing his nose multiple times. He also felt quite dizzy after coming back up to the water surface. Later, it turned out that he had suffered a tiny leak of inner ear fluid (perilymph leak). The loss of this precious inner ear fluid  led to irreversible hearing loss from the barotrauma sustained. I guess this is a slight risk which all divers need to consider before they embark on their dive.

CAN I SUDDENLY LOSE MY HEARING AFTER THE FLU?

Other times, sudden hearing loss may occur after a severe bout of the flu or other viral infection. When there is viral inflammation of the inner ear, it can result in sudden hearing loss. More rarely, sudden hearing loss can be the very first presenting sign of an acoustic neuroma. This is a benign growth originating from the balance nerve in the inner ear. Even rarer, in 1 % of such cases, this troublesome condition can occur in BOTH ears. Can you imagine how devastating it is to lose hearing in both of your ears suddenly?

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY SUDDEN HEARING LOSS DOES NOT RECOVER?

I would usually give an approximate figure of about 50% hearing recovery rate after sudden hearing loss. Sadly, this success rate reduces further as time passes. Sometimes, no matter what we do as ENT specialists, some patients may not recover their hearing or it’s too late when they present to me. In such patients, we discuss options of trialling a hearing aid or even hearing implants if required. A hearing implant differs from a hearing aid because hearing implants require surgery to insert.

Blocked ear in Singapore is an important symptom which you should not ignore. You should see your friendly ENT specialist in Singapore to check your ear promptly. The sooner you seek help, the earlier the treatment for your ear to maximise your chances of hearing recovery. Hear well, live well 🙂

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