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Sudden Hearing Loss and Impact on Music Enjoyment

This post is partly a cautionary tale and partly me looking for advice from fellow audiophiles who might have been through something similar.

At the end of January this year, I had a sinus infection that seemed to affect my left ear. One morning I woke up and noticed that my ear felt muffled and my hearing wasn’t quite right. At first, I assumed it was just my sinuses acting up. I tried wax-removal drops and even did some irrigation, but nothing improved. My doctor then prescribed a course of steroids, thinking it might be related to fluid buildup.

Unfortunately, things got worse. I gradually lost almost all hearing in that ear, and there was a lot of distortion as well.

I eventually saw an ENT specialist and an audiologist, and that’s when I learned that this was most likely Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL). Apparently, if the correct treatment is started within about 72 hours, there’s a chance the hearing can be saved. After that short window closes, the loss is often permanent. I really wish I had known that earlier when I first contacted my doctor.

So if anyone reading this ever experiences sudden changes in hearing, please don’t wait—get to an ENT immediately. The treatment window is extremely short.

Now that I’m starting to come to terms with this, I’ve begun researching options like hearing aids and cochlear implants. That leads me to my question for anyone here who has experience with either.

As audiophiles, we tend to listen to music a bit differently—we focus on details, tone, timbre, soundstage, and all those subtle nuances. For those of you using hearing aids or who have undergone cochlear implant surgery, how has it affected your ability to enjoy music? Does music sound very different? Were you able to reconnect with it in a meaningful way? As you can imagine, this is both stressful and sad that I won't be able to enjoy the one hobby that has become such an important part of my life.

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Feel free to share here, or send me a DM if you’d rather keep it private.

arafiq
kjl1065's avatar
kjl1065
88 posts
 

Not in your situation, but I do have hearing loss  in the high frequency range, which has been confirmed by my ENT. I am also sensitive to loud music. I am 73 and can listen comfortably at 55-60 dbs, with brief peaks up to 65. At these low levels music did not come alive. Also had occasional ringing and clicking sounds in my ears. I took the following steps:

1. After much research purchased the JBL 4349 horn loudspeaker. Now I can listen at low levels and the music sounds full bodied. Note the JBL woofer is of the dynamic type and would not come alive at my low listening levels. I purchased 2 SVS subwoofers and set them to give me some of the bass that the JBL could not at my listening levels.  Also purchased a new preamp the Conrad Johnson Et-7 S2 which lowered the noise floor. I also tried an equalizer which did not help me.

2. The final step was to try to alleviate the ringing and clicking. I switched from my electric toothbrush to manual brushing and within a week the clicking and ringing dissipated. I am sure my electric toothbrush was doing an excellent job, but perhaps the vibrations so close to my ears was an irritant to me.  Wishing everybody happy listening and to the younger crowd, take care of your ears.

larsman's avatar
larsman
3,123 posts
 

@mahler123 + 1 - I've been a hearing aid user for over 20 years now; my hearing loss will never be restored, but the EQ sure does a good job of simulating it. 

phillyb's avatar
phillyb
419 posts
 

My wife, who enjoyed music so much, developed moderate hearing loss in both ears, and she now really cannot enjoy our system with hearing aids. She says, " Who is that singing? What song is that? Tone, pitch is off, as well as a clear understanding of words. The body of the music is gone. 

I miss her enjoying music along with me. I am blessed to still hear very well at 74. I no longer take it for granted. 

musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349
310 posts
 

@arafiq I'm afraid I've nothing to add that others haven't but I do sincerely wish you the best of luck and that you can find a viable solution!

Somehow my usual signoff seems, not quite right but none the less...

Happy listening.

mazarine
1 posts
 

Arafiq: I empathize with your situation having undergone progressive hearing loss for the past two decades - a situation attributable to too many flights for too many years when I was working. I've tried several hearing aids from Costco (Rexton, Philips) to those costing up to $5000 (Phonak, Signia, Oticon) none of which have been satisfactory despite numerous professional adjustments. What I've found that does work is the Apple AirPod Pro 2. They are not perfect but these can be self adjusted with the built in hearing test function to improve SQ  in individual situations in real time. They have gotten me through presentations as an audience member where I could hear nothing without them and also markedly improve near field situations like TV watching and one on one conversations.  The AirPods are also $250 or below depending on the model. I don't use them for audiophile listening as my T + A headphones are far better at 20  times the price. Luigi F

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