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The weather is getting so cold that the cold wind makes my ears tingle. In this case, the disease to watch out for is ‘sudden hearing loss.’ Sudden hearing loss is an emergency disease in which hearing suddenly declines without any specific cause. If you suddenly hear a ‘beep’ or ‘hum’ sound in your ears, you should suspect sudden hearing loss.

If you suddenly feel your hearing loss, you should suspect sudden hearing loss | Source: Clipart Korea

The number of young patients with sudden hearing loss increased by 31.1% in 5 years… The younger you are, the higher the recurrence rate.
As the weather has become colder recently, there are cases of sudden hearing loss occurring after being exposed to cold air for a long period of time. Constriction of blood vessels due to cold may worsen blood flow disorders, and in some cases, the disease may develop due to infection with various viruses as immunity decreases. In particular, recently, the age of patients visiting hospitals with sudden hearing loss is getting younger. According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, of the 103,474 people who visited hospitals for sudden hearing loss in 2022, 25,841 patients were in their 20s and 30s, or 24.97% of the total. As of 2018, there were 19,699 patients with sudden hearing loss in their 20s and 30s, an increase of approximately 31.1%. The reason why the incidence of sudden hearing loss has increased among young people is because they wear earphones for a long time and are exposed to various noises in concert halls, clubs, etc.

While the number of young patients with sudden hearing loss is increasing, the recurrence rate of sudden hearing loss is also increasing, so caution is needed. The research team led by Professor Kim Min-hee of the Department of Oriental Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Dermatology at Gangdong Kyunghee University Hospital analyzed data on about 260,000 patients with sudden hearing loss over 12 years from 2009 to 2020 using big data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. As a result of a survey targeting all age groups, the recurrence rate was found to be 5.31% in those in their 60s or older, 7.05% in those between 59 and 40 years old, 7.53% in those between 39 and 20 years old, and 7.6% in those under 20 years old. The results showed that as age decreases, the recurrence rate increases.

As a result of checking the cumulative recurrence rate according to the number of recurrences, the recurrence rate also increased as the number of recurrences increased. The cumulative recurrence rate 7 years after onset was 8.5% in the 1-time recurrence group, but reached 43.3% in the 4-time recurrence group. Recurrence itself is not common, but once it starts to recur, it can relapse several times, meaning that constant management and follow-up is necessary.

Many studies have pointed out comorbidities as a risk factor for multiple recurrences of sudden hearing loss. The researchers checked whether patients with recurrence had concomitant diseases such as heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, metabolic disease, and rheumatism. As a result, the recurrence rate of sudden hearing loss was low in patients with type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, and hemorrhagic stroke. On the other hand, it was confirmed that patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis have a high recurrence rate of sudden hearing loss. Research has shown that long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat ankylosing spondylitis increases the risk of developing tinnitus and hearing loss. Patients with sudden hearing loss who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis have a higher risk of recurrence than other diseases. It appears that

The study was recently published in the international otolaryngology journal ‘The Laryngoscope’.

If it happens once, it keeps happening… Avoid using earphones
To prevent sudden hearing loss, lifestyle changes are necessary. First of all, it is best to refrain from using earphones, which have been identified as a major cause of sudden hearing loss. Hidoc Otolaryngology consultant Lee Dong-jae (Geomdan Top Hospital) said, “The period of receiving treatment for sudden hearing loss is a period of hearing fluctuations, and it is a period when hearing can be improved to the extent that hearing has deteriorated.” He added, “During this period, earphones are used to restore hearing. “It is best not to use it as much as possible, and even if you use it, it is best to use it without turning up the volume,” he emphasized.

Additionally, in cold weather like these days, there is a high possibility that sudden hearing loss will recur due to blood flow disruption. Therefore, it is best to avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and salty foods that have a negative effect on blood circulation. If you have lost some of your hearing due to sudden hearing loss, it is recommended that you use a hearing aid even at a young age. Using a hearing aid can prevent hearing loss from becoming more severe by making speech sounds that were difficult to hear clear, and can also have the effect of rehabilitating hearing.

In addition, it is a good idea to check your hearing regularly and visit a hospital as soon as possible if you experience abnormalities such as hearing abnormalities, tinnitus, deafness, or dizziness. If you visit the hospital, you will receive steroid medication treatment and sound therapy. Depending on the symptoms, vasodilators, blood circulation improvers, and antivirals may be prescribed. The golden time for sudden hearing loss is one week after symptoms appear. If you receive treatment during this period, there is a high possibility of recovering normal hearing.

Help = Hidoc Consulting Doctor Lee Song-jae, Chief (ENT Specialist, Geomdan Top Hospital)

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