Sudden Deafness - Treatments Do Exist

Sudden deafness affects approximately 4,000 people in the United States each year. Believed to be caused by either a virus, a tiny blood clot in the inner ear, Meniere's disease, or, rarely, a tumor growing on the hearing nerve, sudden deafness can occur in an instant or over the course of several days. But no matter how it presents itself, sudden deafness should be treated as a medical emergency and evaluated by an Otolarynologist, or Ear Nose and Throat doctor, as soon as possible.

Sudden deafness is normally treated by giving the patient high doses of the steroid Prednisone for two weeks, followed by a tapering dose, administered orally. The problem with this treatment is that some patients – like those with ulcers, diabetes, or hypertension – cannot tolerate high doses of steroids.

But there is another treatment option: the MicroWick. The MicroWick delivers the steroid directly into the inner ear, so there is no need to take it orally. This way the steroid goes only where it is needed, not throughout the entire body. And an added benefit is that with this direct delivery method, the concentration of the steroids is much higher and therefore more effective.

Placing the MicroWick is a simple in-office procedure. The procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes, during which the MicroWick is placed through the eardrum after anesthetizing the ear with a local anesthetic, zylocaine.

A laser is used to make the opening through the eardrum over the round window, which is like the cornea of the eye. If there are adhesions over the round window they re removed painlessly with a small instrument.

The MicroWick is then inserted and rests against the round window. Dexamethasone is placed on the MicroWick and a small amount in injected into the middle ear through the eardrum.

Back at home, the patient puts three Dexamethasone drops in his or her ear three times daily, usually for one or more months.

Results indicate that the earlier one is treated for sudden hearing loss the better the results. About 50% of patients who see their doctor immediately will regain some hearing after treatment with the MicroWick and Dexamethasone. Patients who have been experiencing deafness for several months can also be treated using MicroWick and Dexamethasone, although results are not normally as good.

Herbert Silverstein, MD, FACS is president and founder of the Florida Ear & Sinus Center and the Ear Research Foundation, in Sarasota, FL. He has been consistently recognized since 1979 as one the "Best Physicians in the USA." He has been a leader in Meniere's Disease treatment for more than 25 years, developing surgical and diagnostic procedures; inventing instruments (such as the Microwick); teaching medical students, residents and fellows; and helping people from all walks of life.