Hearing Only What You Want to Hear!

My wife tells me that I am a Selective Listener, choosing to listen to what is relevant to me and ignoring what isn't. Recently I acquired the unique ability (only one in million gets it as per Medical Science) of hearing only what I want to hear! The rest of the half I don't hear! 🙉

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During my holiday in Dubai last month, on Jan 26th morning, I suddenly felt a little dizzy and unsteady on my feet. I had heard about people having vertigo and balance problems caused by fluid imbalance in the ear. So, on closer examination of the ear, I realized that I have complete hearing loss on my right ear.

I looked up Google with my symptoms and prompt came the reply: 

Ménière's Disease — This condition affects the inner ear and can cause severe dizziness, hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear). This disease occurs when fluid builds up in the inner ear, blocking signals to areas of the brain that control balance. It changes the volume of fluid in your ear, causing balance problems, hearing loss, and ringing in your ears. Its cause is unknown. Head injury, strenuous physical activity, ear infections, and atmospheric pressure changes can cause inner ear fluid to leak into your middle ear.

Since I was returning to India on 3rd Feb, I decided against going to a hospital in Dubai for any checkup. Also, both the dizziness and unsteadiness were rather mild and didn't bother my regular walks.

Meeting the Doctor

Back in Kerala, at Calicut I went to MANOJ ENT Hospital at East Hill on 5th Feb and met Dr Sandeep PK, ENT Head and Neck Surgery. After listening to my problem and the associated symptoms he performed a physical exam using a tuning fork. Then he sent me to the Audiology lab to go through three audiometry tests.

During this test, an audiologist measured how I responded to a range of sounds and tones at various volume levels. These tests help the doctor determine the part of the ear that is affected, which can provide clues as to the underlying cause of the hearing loss.

On seeing the tests results Dr Sandeep diagnosed my problem as Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). On my inquiry he ruled out Ménière's disease as it doesn't 'occur suddenly' even though hearing loss, dizziness, balance problems, and tinnitus are common symptoms. He also ruled out any eardrum rupture or Labyrinthitis, a disorder that causes the inner ear apparatus to become swollen and irritated.

What is sensorineural hearing loss?

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL)

Nine out of 10 people with SSHL experience hearing loss in only one ear. He also informed that SSHL is a serious medical condition and if prompt medical treatment is sought within a 96-hour window, hearing can be restored. Now, in my case after 10 days, it is only a 50% chance. 

(So, my friends, if you have a sudden loss of hearing, particularly in one ear, seek medical attention right away. SSHL can happen to people of age above 30 years.)

Medical Treatment

The doctor prescribed Steroid tablets for 2 weeks as they are the most common treatment to reduce inflammation and swelling. I have to meet the doctor in two weeks for follow-up tests and possibly an 'MRI brain with contrast'.

SSHL happens when the inner ear, the cochlea in the inner ear, or the nerve pathways between the ear and the brain become damaged. (See the diagram).

Some Jokes

Now I am wondering whether I would land up in situations such as:

Mr. Sampath suspects his wife is hard of hearing. He decides to test this. As his wife is chopping vegetables in the kitchen, he stands 10 feet behind her and says softly, “dear, what’s for dinner?” There is no response, so he moves a step closer and asks more loudly, “dear, what’s for dinner?” She keeps chopping vegetables, so he steps even closer, raises his voice and says, “dear, what’s for dinner?” Hearing nothing, he starts to step even closer when she turns around and says, “dear, I said ‘chapati and vegetable stew’ three times!”

A man was bragging about his new hearing aid and how great it was and how well he could hear with it. His friend said “Well that sounds good. Maybe I should get one. What kind is it?” The man checking his watch said, “11:30.”