Sudden deafness

Sudden hearing loss, whether unilateral a bilateral is a true otological emergency. Fortunately it is not a common clinical entity. The recent popularity of cellular phones, walkmans and other similar electronic microwave or shortwave audio equipments seen to have caused a few unhappy endings. Exact etiology can hardly be determined. However, viral, vascular and volatile strain are the causes considered to potentiate or initiate the problem. Diagnostic work-up must include detailed history to exclude metabolic disorders e.g. diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia etc. Comprehensive lab. workup, audiological assessment and a thorough radiological analysis are mandatory in each case. The management often includes intensive Steroid therapy, vasodilators injection of Urograffin and a whole plethora of substances. Some people advocate exploratory Tympanotomy, with a view to close a perilymph leakage caused by the so called 'round window rupture'. Prognosis remains guarded