Hearing Loss (SSNHL)

In January I had a pretty bad cold for two weeks. Nothing out of the norm for winter in MinneSNOWta, but I was experiencing a plugged ear that I couldn’t seem to clear out. You know, when you hold your nose and try to make your ear pop? Similar to the ear pressure on a plane ride? I thought it was just something with my sinuses coming off the end of a cold.

I thought it would get better with a little time.

After another two weeks of no improvement, I finally went in to my doctor and she agreed that it was likely just a viral cold that was going to clear up. However, she did refer me to an ENT. I hate the ENT as I once went in for sinus infections and the guy stuck a tube all the way up my nostril to tell me that I had a deviated septum and could do the popular surgery or just live with it. I chose to skip the nose job and self-manage with nasal sprays and allergy meds.

Still, I made the ENT appointment since this time it was my ear versus my nose. Yes, I know everything is all connected, but I was annoyed that I couldn’t hear out of my right ear. At all. Plus, there was this constant ringing in that ear – sometimes a low humming, sometimes a screeching, high-pitched tone, but always a constant ringing. This was stressing me out – work was becoming difficult and I was asking my hubby to repeat himself all the time. I waited patiently for the ENT visit – another month before I could get in.

At the ENT, I had a hearing test. When the doctor came in after, I greeted him by asking jokingly, “So, am I just losing my hearing at 40?” – he said, “yes, unfortunately, but there’s more to it”. Well, shoot. I didn’t expect him to just confirm I was going deaf. He explained it as Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Huh?

Turns out that SSNHL has to be caught right away, so if you have a cold and your ears are starting to feel plugged up, you need to try to treat it ASAP. No one really knows why SSNHL occurs, it could be a viral thing, it could be genetic, it could be a brain tumor. Whoa.

Since almost two months had lapsed, I could only try oral steroids and a shot in the ear. Add in the MRI of my brain and wait for results…

I got the meds filled, made the MRI appointment, and waited another week for my shot.

The pills didn’t do anything except make me feel crazy and then my shot was cancelled due to being deemed non-essential by COVID. Face palm. Seriously? My ENT doctor assured me that the shot really was a last ditch effort, that too much time had passed since my symptoms popped up in January – the shot was most effective during the first week or two of experiencing SSNHL. Still, I was upset that COVID took away my right to try everything I possibly could.

Then the MRI results came back and thankfully ruled out any brain tumors. Praise, Jesus. At least one positive thing in this interesting adventure!

So, here I am, six months since since I started wondering why I couldn’t hear all of the sudden. I have been diagnosed with SSNHL and profound hearing loss with tinnitus – the med lingo for the constant buzzing/ringing over the deafness. Apparently there is nothing more I can do about it with the exception of exploring hearing aids. Lovely. At 40 years-old. When I have to wear a headset and have conversations all day for work. When I enjoy going to concerts. When I need to get stuff done.

There’s another kicker in all of this – have you ever heard of Meniere’s Disease? That’s been fun to navigate, too… and it deserves its own separate post. (Insert eye roll!)

Lots of venting above – my apologies! I am trying to still find the positivity. For starters, I am getting the blog back up, right?! I need an outlet, people! Lololol.

What’s next? Hearing aid appointment and figuring out if the typical corporate day job is possible. I’m nervous, but optimistic to find balance in this “altered” life journey.

Main takeaway for you? If your ear feels plugged up and it doesn’t improve after a day or two – go in to a doctor! Right away! Do not delay – demand to be seen urgently and get some answers. That steroid shot has reversed SSNHL for many people, it’s important to take that step immediately.

Lesson learned.

Want to keep following my journey of profound hearing loss? I would love your support. Be sure to comment below or subscribe to my newsletter for updates!