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What is the cause for sudden deafness?
Question
My wife encountered sudden deafness, 28 months ago. The doctors say that nothing can be done about it. Why does it occur and is there any cure?
Expert Answer
D
Dr (Prof) D BalakrishnanMay 21, 2007
Consultant Paediatric ENT Surgeon,
Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital, Chennai
Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital, Chennai
From the sketchy details that you have given, it appears that you wife might have had a block of the blood vessels that supply the inner ear. However, the mechanism of hearing is such a delicate one that any such speculation may not be correct. You have stated that the catastrophe occurred 28 months ago. I presume that relevant investigations would have certainly been done. Does your wife have any diabetes or hypertension? Was there any other associated symptom of giddiness or a sudden fall? Or a preceding fever? Had any brain scan been done to rule out any tumour inside the brain? Did you get an x-ray of the neck bones done? Have you done a carotid doppler study to rule out a block of the main blood vessels reaching the brain? If the above investigations were done and a neurologist's opinion obtained, you can rest assured that the condition may not progress further or that the condition does not presage any other disease. Otherwise, kindly get a personal consultation / review by an otolaryngologist (Ear Nose Throat - ENT specialist) and a neurologist.
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