Loss of hearing in one ear sometimes occurs. This condition is referred to as unilateral deafness or unilateral hearing loss. This condition can make it difficult for you to understand what people are saying in a crowded area, to filter out background noise or to locate the source of a sound.
This condition is typically treated as a medical emergency, and you should see a doctor about it as soon as possible. However, you should also know that the causes of this condition are many and it's reversible in certain cases.
Injury to the Ear
An injury to your ear can result in not being able to hear anything through that ear. An injury to the ear can be the result of a foreign object puncturing the eardrum or damage some other sensitive part of the inner ear. This injury can also be the result of a very loud noise or very high water or air pressure. In some cases, the loss of hearing might be because the foreign body is still in the ear.
Medical Conditions
There is a wide range of medical conditions that result in hearing loss in one ear. These include:
Acoustic neuroma: This is a tumor that presses the nerve associated with hearing
Labyrinthitis: A condition that causes the apparatus in the inner ear to be irritated and swollen.
Meniere's Disease: A condition that affects the inner ear and gradually leads to deafness
Otitis externa or swimmer's ear: This is an inflammation of the ear canal and outer ear
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: This is a condition that is associated with a shingles outbreak affecting a facial nerve near one of the ears.
Prescription Medication
Certain types of prescription medication are known to cause hearing loss. These include:
Diuretics like furosemide
Drugs used for chemotherapy
Antibiotics like tobramycin and streptomycin
Treating of Hearing Loss in One Ear
The course of treatment when you suffer hearing loss in one ear will depend on the cause of the problem. If a tumor is the problem, the tumor can be removed. If the problem is a foreign object, the object has to be removed, and the ear is given time to heal.
There are cases where some of the damage done may be permanent. This can happen if medical attention isn't sought as quickly as possible. You may need hearing aids if the hearing is only partially restored to the affected ear. To learn more about hearing aids, contact a company like Cape May County Hearing Aid Dispensary.
Share27 April 2018
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