Sudden hearing
loss (SHL) (also called sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL)
or sudden deafness) is *always* a "medical emergency," even if you
have experienced previous hearing loss and even if previous
treatments did not restore hearing. Immediate medical
attention to sudden hearing loss can often restore some or all of
the lost hearing.
Just because you have
Meniere's Disease doesn't mean you can't also develop some other
disorder that is causing the sudden hearing loss, such as a
mini-stroke that is blocking the flow of blood to the inner ear.
There is a very short golden window of opportunity (perhaps a day
or two; maybe less and maybe more) in which to treat sudden
hearing loss. This is not a situation for a general
practitioner. This is a situation for a doctor who
specializes in hearing, preferably an otologist or, ever better, a
neurotologist. (For resources to help you to find a doctor,
visit our Doctors Page.)
If you try to get an appointment with a doctor, tell the
appointments clerk that you have sudden hearing loss and need to
be squeezed in *immediately.* If you can't get an immediate
appointment, go to an emergency room. Or just go to an
emergency room in the first place. Don't waste any time.
Time lost may be hearing lost. You cannot go wrong by
*immediately* seeking a doctor when you have sudden hearing loss.
Many times, some or all of the lost hearing can be restored if
treated quickly enough. DO NOT DELAY!
January 26, 2007: Please see our new
page on Meniere's Disease DVDs here.
Air Travel
and Sea Cruises
Air Travel and Vertiginous
Attacks
We haven't seen any
authoritative studies on this subject. Sometimes a reason
for concern is the fact that Meniere's Disease causes fullness
-- a sense of air pressure in the middle ear -- and patients may
wonder whether flying will make it worse. However, the
sense of air pressure in the middle ear is a false sense.
Meniere's Disease does not affect the middle ear.
Meniere's Disease does not cause actual air pressure in the
middle ear -- it just feels that way. Of course, one can have a
separate middle ear problem (such as a cold, other infection,
Eustachian tube dysfunction, etc.) in addition to Meniere's
Disease. Some patients are sensitive to weather-related
atmospheric pressure changes while on the ground where they
live, and they may wonder whether aircraft cabin air pressure
changes will cause them a problem.
Our own experience,
and the anecdotal experience of many other patients, is that
most fly with absolutely no problem at all. However, once in a
while a patient will report a problem with flying.
Remember that a fluctuation or episode can occur at any time,
and one should always be prepared. We suggest you discuss this
with your doctor before you leave, and be sure to carry with you
any medications that your doctor may prescribe. You may want to
make sure that your seat has a vomit bag handy before you take
off, just in case. The vast majority of patients seem to
fly with no problems at all. We hope that you are one of them.
We haven't seen any
authoritative studies on this subject. The anecdotal
experience of many patients is that most don't have a problem
and some do. (Much like all things Meniere's.)
Remember that a fluctuation or episode can occur at any time,
and one should always be prepared. We suggest you discuss this
with your doctor before you leave, and be sure to carry with you
any medications that your doctor may prescribe.
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