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Can anything be done to help recover from sshl?

Hello,
I'm new to this site and am hoping to learn of others' experiences.. I've recent experienced profound deafness in my right ear (now 7.5weeks). I've started to get some improvement but it's only a muffled noise for really loud sounds. I was able to get steroids injections on the 5th day and also did a 14 day course of prednisone. Does anyone have any suggestions that may help in addition to what's already been done? For those who have experienced this and recovered, what was it like and how long did it take?
2 Responses
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1740498 tn?1328962585
Hi and welcome to the Hearing Loss community. I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this.

Some of our members believe that zinc has helped recover some hearing.

The bottom line is that some people get some of their hearing back and some do not. It is hard to predict who will recover some hearing and who will not. However, it is not too late, because some people get better weeks and even months after their hearing was lost.

Also be aware that cochlear implants do not amplify sound. They are a surgical option that bypasses your ear to send electrical signals straight to your hearing nerve. It is too early for you to look into a cochlear implant. Also, they are typically an option only if you lost hearing in both ears, because insurance usually will not cover a cochlear implant if hearing was only lost in one ear.

A BAHA is a surgical option for people who have lost hearing in one ear but still have good hearing in the other ear. A BAHA sends the sound waves from the bad side to the good side. But since it is a surgical option, it should not be considered for at least 6 months or more like a year. That is because you still might get your hearing back, or at least some of it.

If you have some hearing still or if you recover some but not all of it, a hearing aid is probably the best option. Insurance might cover it. Since a hearing aid is not surgical and only amplifies the sound, it can easily be removed or reprogrammed if your hearing changes.

Still, I would not consider anything for at least two months. You are taking the steroids, which is good. Keep salt and sugar low (including white bread, since it turns straight to sugar). Consider taking zinc. It is hard to do, but you will have to wait for a little while.

I hope you get your hearing back. Keep us posted. Take care!

BC
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. Steroids are the main stay of treatment in sudden sensori-neuronal healing loss. If infection is suspected then antibiotic therapy can be tried to reduce inflammation. A low salt diet also helps reduce inflammation. Some doctors use niacin-a type of vitamin B, as it is believed to help in ear circulation and conduction.  Apart from this, hearing aids, telephone amplifiers, cochlear implants can be used to amplify the sound. Please consult your specialist regarding this. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
Helpful - 0
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