Article contributed by our sponsor, Cheryl Hathaway
Introduction
Hi, I’m Cheryl, and in May 2021 I was diagnosed with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. At the time, it felt like the bottom had fallen out of my world, and I wasn’t sure how I could continue. However, gradually and with the help of others, I put my life back together. Remembering how devastated and lost I was at that time, I wanted to share my story with others to show that things do return to normal, albeit a new type of normal, and I am back living my life to the full.
So, What Happened to Me?
I remember waking up one Tuesday morning at the beginning of May, having had a quiet bank holiday weekend at home, and I could hear a very loud noise in my ear; it was like a whooshing sound, a bit like the sound of the sea. I also had a sense of fullness in my ear and couldn’t hear properly. Initially, I ignored it, thinking it would clear. However, I went to set up to work from home that day and, on bending over, the whole room spun, and I felt very dizzy and sick.
I called my GP surgery, who said that there were no appointments available, but to come in the next day when a paramedic examined me and said that I had a build-up of fluid behind the ear and diagnosed a blocked Eustachian tube. They advised me to take an over-the-counter sinus spray and that the symptoms should resolve themselves in a few days. I also took anti-nausea tablets for the sickness.
Thankfully, the sickness and dizziness cleared after a week. However, despite using the spray, the noises in my ear, extreme sensitivity to certain noises, and lack of hearing continued, so I had a further appointment with the paramedic, who changed the spray I was using and said that I would see the difference by the end of the week. There was no improvement, and the tinnitus (the constant hissing / loud water sound) and the hyperacusis (certain noises physically hurting the ear) continued.
I was dissatisfied with the treatment that I had been given, so I referred myself privately, as I was fortunate to have private health insurance. I had a video assessment with a private GP who agreed with the diagnosis of a blocked Eustachian tube and recommended that I speak to my GP again in a couple of weeks if it was no better.
After a further week with no improvement, I spoke again to my own GP to be told that the spray I had been given could take 2-3 weeks to work. I also spoke to the private GP again to ask to see an ENT consultant for another opinion.
My Diagnosis
I began to grow more and more concerned about my hearing loss. I would try to stay positive, but I felt incredibly fearful. I tried to contact various local ENT consultants to arrange the soonest appointment I could get, which was towards the end of May. At this appointment, I described my symptoms, and the consultant examined me and held a tuning fork to both ears. He said that he couldn’t see any fluid or a blockage and that, in his opinion, I was suffering from Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, a condition that happens suddenly, and for many patients, there is no apparent cause. I then saw his audiologist, who determined that I had moderate to severe hearing loss.
The consultant told me that, generally, Sudden Hearing Loss needs to be treated urgently with steroids within 48 hours if the hearing is to be restored. By the time I had seen him, however, I had been suffering from a loss of hearing in my right ear for almost 3 weeks. He prescribed Prednisolone, which he asked me to take for 7 days, and I had an MRI to ensure that there was no underlying cause.
It hadn’t sunk in until then that this hearing loss and constant tinnitus could be permanent.
I began taking the steroids immediately and completed the course, as it was the best chance that I had of restoring any hearing. Whilst I was thankful that my MRI was clear, the steroids didn’t restore any hearing, and my loss was severe and very unlikely to improve.
The Impact
I was devastated. I began talking to the audiologist about hearing aids and how these could be used to improve some of the hearing. I felt I needed to be proactive, but inside, I was struggling to keep myself together. I had been managing as best I could with the hearing loss and sensitivity; however, I really felt like I didn’t know how to cope with this for the rest of my life.
Unfortunately, I really struggled to use the hearing aid that I was provided with, as it made the tinnitus constantly elevate, and the hyperacusis meant that sounds were too loud and uncomfortable to tolerate. This meant that I didn’t get any benefit from it, as I needed it louder to be able to hear, but I couldn’t tolerate the loudness with the tinnitus and hyperacusis.
I sought help from my GP practice to cope with the anxiety that I was suffering, and I also made contact with a clinical psychologist for weekly therapy sessions to help me come to terms with my condition.
I had also heard that acupuncture can benefit people with tinnitus, and in fact, one lady in the USA had regained her hearing through electro-acupuncture, although this treatment was received very quickly after her loss. I therefore contacted a local acupuncturist who treated my tinnitus / hearing loss for four months. But sadly, I did not see any improvement.
As part of my research into tinnitus and hyperacusis, I came across Dr Hashir Azah, with whom I had an assessment to see if he could help me. He ran a tinnitus clinic with a view to rehabilitating patients who had developed tinnitus and hyperacusis. He explained to me that although he couldn’t help with hearing loss, he might be able to help me deal with the impact of both the tinnitus and hyperacusis via the specific Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) treatment that he practices. I started this therapy in July, and whilst the sessions were very challenging, I found that they helped me to address and overcome many of the concerns which I had in adapting to my new way of life.
As part of coming to terms with my loss, my audiologist mentioned Carly’s Facebook Group and suggested that I connect with her as she shared a similar experience. I have to say that for me, meeting others and sharing experiences was one of the most helpful things that I did, and the support from people in this group was just amazing.
Life 5 Years On…
Coping with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss was by far one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced, especially as there is still very little help after diagnosis. However, with the support of others and the steps that I have talked about previously, I am back to leading a happy and fulfilling life! I continue to work full time, heading up a Human Resources and Development Department, and I am able to do all that I did before, including delivering training, running our Company Conference, and managing my own team.
I was hesitant about travel at first, and whilst I intended to take a short flight, I ended up flying long haul, and I was absolutely fine! Much of my recovery was about building my confidence back up, and that has all returned with time. I would advise anyone to take little steps at first—do as much as you feel able to handle—and gradually build on that.
Yes, I’ve had to make adjustments as I manage hearing with just my one good ear but these have become part of my everyday now—things like sitting outside to eat / drink, making sure I have my good ear to sound, choosing my seat to help me maximise what I can hear, walking with people on my good ear and reducing background noise are just some examples that make a big difference.
On a positive note, Sudden Hearing Loss even has some advantages—if I sleep on my good ear, I can sleep through anything, and perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but I can be selectively deaf at times! We have also had some very funny moments when I have misheard something, and I am pleased to say that it’s provided a good laugh to everyone, including myself!
I am also delighted to have been invited to join the Hashir International team as a Patient Support Officer on a voluntary basis and have very much enjoyed helping a medical student with a hearing loss / tinnitus project and giving feedback to Dr Hashir on various documents and communications from a non-medical perspective.
I will end by advising anyone who experiences this unpleasant condition to seek as much help as they can, be proactive in the absence of any prescribed help, and connect with others to share experiences and provide support. I never thought I would get through this – it took a while, but life is great again!
Sudden Hearing Loss Support 