UNDERSTAND SUDDEN DEAFNESS AS ONE OF EAR EMERGENCIES

Sudden deafness or medically known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss is one of the emergencies in the area of the ear, nose and throat (ENT). The general public often ignores the symptoms of sudden deafness, so they tend not to come to the checkup as well as go to an ENT doctor. Medically, the definition of sudden sensorineural hearing loss was first described by De Klevn in 1944, namely the presence of sensorineural hearing loss of at least 30 decibels that occurs suddenly in less than 72 hours, at least on three consecutive frequencies on hearing or audiometric examinations. The hearing loss that occurs in cases of sudden deafness varies greatly in sound intensity and frequency. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a symptom and usually affects one ear, but in some cases it can occur on both sides of the ear with a less frequent occurrence. The incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss ranges from 5-20 cases per 100,000 population per year. Sudden sensorineural deafness usually occurs between the ages of 43 and 53 years with the same incidence of men and women. This sudden sensorineural deafness can be caused by viral infections, malignancy, cochlear damage, autoimmune, neurological, psychological and idiopathic diseases. The diagnosis is made based on history, physical examination, tuning fork, audiometry and supporting investigations. Symptoms accompanying sudden sensorineural hearing loss generally include a feeling of fullness in the ears, vertigo and tinnitus. A history of viral infections, ear surgery, use of ototoxic drugs, head trauma, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders and hypercoagulation is important to know to look for causes of sudden sensorineural deafness. Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss is given based on the cause, whereas in sudden sensorineural deafness is idiopathic, the treatment is based on empirical evidence. Until now, the success of giving anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, anti-viral and hyperbaric oxygen to people with sudden sensorineural deafness is still being studied by experts. Factors of age, degree of sensorineural hearing loss, onset of therapy and the presence of vertigo affect the prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. It should be remembered again that this sudden deafness is an emergency that must be treated immediately. The public should not underestimate the sudden incidence of sudden deafness and immediately conduct an examination to an ENT doctor, so that the diagnosis can be made as soon as possible and then the patient is referred to a health service with adequate facilities to get optimal therapy.