This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello to everyone, I would like to politely ask you if anybody has experienced recently a relapse that includes hearing loss.

My left ear is literally picking up only certain amount of frequencies and volumes for about 1 week now that I hope will slowly fix if left untreated with corticosteroids.

Should I be patient (in the terms no permanent damage will occur), and wait or should I rush up to the hospital for my traditional corticosteroid therapy (latest therapy before 3 months for nausea + vomiting).

(28 years old now, been dx in 2004 [24 years old])

Hi

Sorry to hear about your latest attack.....yes, in 2005 I had an attack which included partial loss of hearing in my right ear along with vertigo and optic neuritis. I was answering the phone and only hearing a distant voice so quickly had to transfer the phone to the other ear!! Was given steroids and got full hearing ability back in about 6 weeks.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Hi Staiko
I hope my post won't panic you but I lost nearly all of my hearing (can't hear unless over 80 decibels) in my right ear at age 25.

I was treated with steroids but my hearing never came back in that ear. But I think if I was you I'd get it checked and treated with steroids immediately. Most people regain their hearing after steroids.

I do know that my case is so unusual that the neuros regularly "forget" about my hearing loss when assessing me as they think it's so rare in a person with MS. I remember seeing a statistic saying it was 1:100,000 people with MS (gee I'm SO special ). Also there is a strong history of one-sided deafness - my granny, my great aunt, my great grandmother were all deaf in their right ear like me. So maybe it's not just MS in my case. I did get a good second opinion from an ear consultant (can't remember the name for one) and they also felt it was due to my MS but could not be certain.

Good luck and hope your hearing comes back very soon.

Thanks , well as I can see for my ears goodness I d better get another regular session of steroids ...

That's what MS is all about innit, random attacks anywhere anytime like a Mars invasion on planet earth ... eardrum in my case.

Thanks again, hope the best for us all !!!

I have not experienced this problem, but I agree with Wonderfulworld's recommendation to seek a second opinion from a specialist in hearing problems.

Because I suspect sinus problems are involved in the MS process for many of us, I also recommend that you ask someone if this is an ongoing problem for you. If so, it would seem logical to work on that first--with a mild decongestant or NETI pot, as Loobie has recently mentioned. (I got one recently and find it very helpful, too.) Your doctor will have more ideas, I'm sure.