hearing aid

I have been off from work for 6 weeks and still have no answer was at first diagnosed with vertigo three times loss of hearing was not addressed.Two weeks later I finally saw a ENT and was put on steroids which seem to have made no difference loss of hearing progressed in the beginning from one ear to the second ear and is getting progressively worse.  ENT thougth may ve a stroke or tumor,  MRI  showed neither one. I am now going to be fitted for a hearing aid but still do not know what caused my loss of hearing/  Will I never know what caused this?

[tomsant]

Vertigo with loss of hearing can be of 'central' causes or 'peripheral' or 'vestibular' causes. The attempt might have been to rule out the serious central causes.

The vestibular causes affecting hearing and 'balance' can be a labyrinthitis, Menierre's disease etc. Steroids was given as salvage.

Hope you are not a hypertensive. How is your blood urea and sugar levels? Do you have any other medical condition? Are you on any medication for long periods now?

Best,

Thomas Antony

[Nancy T]

Have they considered autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED)?

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/autoimmune/aied.html

Ninety percent of cases of sudden hearing loss remain unsolved as to cause--they can only speculate or make educated guesses. But usually it's one-sided. Since you have progressed to the other side, Meniere's or AIED would be considered, among other things presumably.

See a NEURO-OTOLOGIST (ENT specializing in the inner ear) if you haven't already. See lists at the American Neurotology Society Web site.

Good luck--what a bummer. I have hearing loss in one ear only.

Nancy T.