SUDDEN DEAFNESS Meaning and
Definition
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Sudden deafness, also known as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), is a condition characterized by the sudden and rapid loss of hearing in one or both ears. It is considered a medical emergency that typically occurs within a 72-hour period. Sudden deafness is an uncommon condition, affecting approximately 5 to 20 individuals out of every 100,000 people each year.
The exact cause of sudden deafness remains largely unknown, however, viral infections, immune system disorders, head trauma, and circulatory disturbances are among the potential contributing factors. Individuals may experience a variety of symptoms including a sudden onset of hearing loss, often accompanied by a feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sound), and dizziness or vertigo.
The diagnosis of sudden deafness is generally made through an audiological evaluation, which includes pure-tone audiometry and speech audiometry tests to assess the extent and nature of the hearing loss. In some cases, additional tests such as imaging studies or blood tests may be performed to rule out other possible causes.
Treatment options for sudden deafness may include the use of oral or intravenous corticosteroid medications, which aim to reduce inflammation and improve hearing. Other interventions such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, vasodilators, and antiviral medications may be considered depending on the suspected cause. Prompt medical attention is crucial in cases of sudden deafness as early intervention may increase the chances of partial or full recovery of hearing. However, the condition is variable, and some individuals may unfortunately experience permanent hearing loss despite treatment.
Common Misspellings for SUDDEN DEAFNESS
- audden deafness
- zudden deafness
- xudden deafness
- dudden deafness
- eudden deafness
- wudden deafness
- sydden deafness
- shdden deafness
- sjdden deafness
- sidden deafness
- s8dden deafness
- s7dden deafness
- susden deafness
- suxden deafness
- sucden deafness
- sufden deafness
- surden deafness
- sueden deafness
- sudsen deafness
- sudxen deafness
Etymology of SUDDEN DEAFNESS
The term "sudden deafness" is not derived from a specific etymology since it is an expression created to describe a medical condition wherein a person experiences a sudden, unexplained loss of hearing. The word "sudden" refers to the unexpected nature of the hearing loss, while "deafness" refers to the condition of being unable to hear. As such, the etymology of each individual word can be traced separately:
1. Sudden: The word "sudden" originated from the Middle English word "sodein", which came from the Old French "soudain" meaning "unexpected" or "hasty". It can be further traced back to the Latin word "subitanus", derived from "subito", meaning "immediately" or "suddenly".
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