Terrifying Fleeting Deafness for Hours: Is It Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

[in_the_shadows]

Has anyone experienced fleeting tinnitus along with muffled hearing that lasted for several hours? Yesterday, I had a pretty terrifying experience while out for dinner. I suddenly went completely deaf in my left ear, accompanied by a loud, intense tinnitus. I almost took 60mg of Prednisone, assuming it was sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), but the symptoms gradually eased on their own. During the recovery, I had several smaller episodes in the same ear. Even through the night, these fleeting episodes continued, occurring about every five minutes. Today, I've only had a couple of episodes.

How can one differentiate between SSNHL and fleeting deafness?

For context, I'm currently dealing with a sinus infection, and I was on Amoxicillin last week, which seemed to make my tinnitus more unpredictable (10+ new tones, all oscillating). I've also been taking a lot of supplements recently, which could potentially be contributing to this as well.

 

[delta784]

Check my latest posts. I had the exact same experience. It felt like fleeting tinnitus or sudden onset, but it took hours to resolve. My audiogram showed no hearing loss, but it worsened the tinnitus in my right ear, and it never returned to baseline.

 

[in_the_shadows]

Have the fleeting tinnitus episodes worsened your existing tones or added a new one? Usually, I have so many tones that it's impossible to keep track of them all. However, this fleeting episode brought a new high-frequency tone that feels more stable and noticeable than the others.

 

[delta784]

Have the fleeting tinnitus episodes worsened your existing tones or added a new one? Usually, I have so many tones that it's impossible to keep track of them all. However, this fleeting episode brought a new high-frequency tone that feels more stable and noticeable than the others.

Yes, a fleeting tinnitus episode gave me a flashbang-like tone with a very high pitch.

 

[Nes]

Has anyone experienced fleeting tinnitus along with muffled hearing that lasted for several hours? Yesterday, I had a pretty terrifying experience while out for dinner. I suddenly went completely deaf in my left ear, accompanied by a loud, intense tinnitus. I almost took 60mg of Prednisone, assuming it was sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), but the symptoms gradually eased on their own. During the recovery, I had several smaller episodes in the same ear. Even through the night, these fleeting episodes continued, occurring about every five minutes. Today, I've only had a couple of episodes.

How can one differentiate between SSNHL and fleeting deafness?

For context, I'm currently dealing with a sinus infection, and I was on Amoxicillin last week, which seemed to make my tinnitus more unpredictable (10+ new tones, all oscillating). I've also been taking a lot of supplements recently, which could potentially be contributing to this as well.

I experienced this last month. The deafness was very brief, but the ringing lasted for several hours. It took an entire month to settle down a bit, but it is still not close to baseline.

As a result, the ringing returned in my good ear. I also experienced a lot of fleeting tinnitus episodes after that, and some of them even introduced new sounds.

 

[in_the_shadows]

I experienced this last month. The deafness was very brief, but the ringing lasted for several hours. It took an entire month to settle down a bit, but it is still not close to baseline.

As a result, the ringing returned in my good ear. I also experienced a lot of fleeting tinnitus episodes after that, and some of them even introduced new sounds.

In my case, the deafness lasted several hours, and the new sound persisted for several days before gradually fading. After that, I experienced many fleeting tinnitus episodes with the same sound.

I suspect this might be caused either by inflammation or by a cluster of hair cells or synapses collapsing for a specific frequency. It is terrifying to go through something like this.

 

[Nes]

In my case, the deafness lasted several hours, and the new sound persisted for several days before gradually fading. After that, I experienced many fleeting tinnitus episodes with the same sound.

I suspect this might be caused either by inflammation or by a cluster of hair cells or synapses collapsing for a specific frequency. It is terrifying to go through something like this.

Sending lots of hope your way—that must have been terrifying. Did you end up taking the Prednisone? Even for the sinus infection, isn't it strange that you weren't prescribed Prednisone?

 

[in_the_shadows]

Sending lots of hope your way—that must have been terrifying. Did you end up taking the Prednisone? Even for the sinus infection, isn't it strange that you weren't prescribed Prednisone?

I hesitated to take Prednisone because my symptoms were gradually subsiding. However, I decided to take it one week after the episode of deafness, which occurred three weeks after using Amoxicillin. I had three pills left from a previous prescription.

I took 40 mg on the first day and 20 mg the following day. Since then, the tinnitus has stabilized, and I haven't experienced any fleeting episodes. While it helped, taking Prednisone still feels like gambling with my health.

 

[Swampy]

Hey,

Sorry I can't be of much help, but I do experience this quite often. I have a lot of ear issues, and I get these "fleeting" or SBUTT episodes with the muffled or deaf sensation very frequently. They often last for hours or even days, and sometimes they become super reactive on top of that. I have no idea why it happens, it seems very random and quite scary since they do not fade away quickly like a typical SBUTT or fleeting muffled episode.

Very strange!

 

[DimLeb]

Hey,

Sorry I can't be of much help, but I do experience this quite often. I have a lot of ear issues, and I get these "fleeting" or SBUTT episodes with the muffled or deaf sensation very frequently. They often last for hours or even days, and sometimes they become super reactive on top of that. I have no idea why it happens, it seems very random and quite scary since they do not fade away quickly like a typical SBUTT or fleeting muffled episode.

Very strange!

Yeah, me too. I have been experiencing these episodes, but they do not last as long, usually around half an hour to an hour. Still, it is more than enough to freak me out. I also notice a lot of variation in the intensity of the blocked feeling, hearing loss, and louder ringing. Does everything return to normal for you afterward?

 

[Swampy]

Yeah, me too. I have been experiencing these episodes, but they do not last as long, usually around half an hour to an hour. Still, it is more than enough to freak me out. I also notice a lot of variation in the intensity of the blocked feeling, hearing loss, and louder ringing. Does everything return to normal for you afterward?

Heya!

Sometimes, the muffled hearing, louder tinnitus, and reactivity to all noises can last for days, unfortunately. However, so far, it has always returned to "normal," even if it takes a while. I say "normal" because I have a lot of ongoing ear issues, but these strange, random, prolonged muffled reactive spikes are so scary.

I've mentioned this to several ear specialists, audiologists, and other professionals I've seen, but they all seem a bit puzzled. They're not sure why sometimes it feels like a typical SBUTT, while other times it turns into these intense, long-lasting reactive muffled spikes that persist for days. It's very strange and frustrating—I'd love to figure it out, along with my other ear issues.

I'm so sorry you experience this too. Do you have any theories on why it happens?

 

[DimLeb]

Heya!

Sometimes, the muffled hearing, louder tinnitus, and reactivity to all noises can last for days, unfortunately. However, so far, it has always returned to "normal," even if it takes a while. I say "normal" because I have a lot of ongoing ear issues, but these strange, random, prolonged muffled reactive spikes are so scary.

I've mentioned this to several ear specialists, audiologists, and other professionals I've seen, but they all seem a bit puzzled. They're not sure why sometimes it feels like a typical SBUTT, while other times it turns into these intense, long-lasting reactive muffled spikes that persist for days. It's very strange and frustrating—I'd love to figure it out, along with my other ear issues.

I'm so sorry you experience this too. Do you have any theories on why it happens?

That's good if things return to normal. I get what you mean about "normal," as I also have permanent mild to moderate multi-tonal tinnitus. It can be particularly bothersome on some days since it's variable. On top of that, I deal with TTTS (spasms triggered by certain sounds) and occasional MEM episodes (spontaneous spasms that can last for many hours).

I imagine it could be one of two things:

1. Some kind of hydrops, like Meniere's, but more atypical or unusual.
2. A muscle spasm, probably in the middle ear, which has been associated with SBUTTs. (If you search online, you'll find theories about this.)

The issue with the second theory is that I also experience MEM, which is literally irregular muscle spasms, but MEM has never caused the effects described with SBUTTs.

I am not entirely sure, but I am probably leaning toward the hydrops theory. I know it's scary.

 

[Swampy]

That's good if things return to normal. I get what you mean about "normal," as I also have permanent mild to moderate multi-tonal tinnitus. It can be particularly bothersome on some days since it's variable. On top of that, I deal with TTTS (spasms triggered by certain sounds) and occasional MEM episodes (spontaneous spasms that can last for many hours).

I imagine it could be one of two things:

1. Some kind of hydrops, like Meniere's, but more atypical or unusual.
2. A muscle spasm, probably in the middle ear, which has been associated with SBUTTs. (If you search online, you'll find theories about this.)

The issue with the second theory is that I also experience MEM, which is literally irregular muscle spasms, but MEM has never caused the effects described with SBUTTs.

I am not entirely sure, but I am probably leaning toward the hydrops theory. I know it's scary.

I think my hearing loss is slowly worsening on one side, but nothing too drastic. However, it can take several days for the muffled hearing and loud reactive tinnitus to settle whenever it happens.

Oh, and I also have MEM and TTTS (along with many other ear issues). It's very difficult dealing with so much going on every day!

I've also read what you mentioned about regular SBUTT episodes being associated with middle ear spasms. However, like you, I have both TTTS and MEM, and neither of these—which happen daily—seem linked to the random, prolonged SBUTT/muffled hearing/dysacusis episodes. I wish someone could figure this out!

My inbox is open if you ever want to vent, as I know how hard it is to deal with so many different ear issues.

What are you doing about the TTTS/MEM? I've had both for about ten years now and am very soon going to try Carbamazepine for it. I'm just worried about the side effects. If that doesn't help, I'll probably have the tendons cut, but I'm concerned about the potential long-term negative effects the surgery could have, especially with my other ear issues, like Eustachian tube problems. It's always difficult knowing what to do!

I wish you the best.

 

[DimLeb]

I think my hearing loss is slowly worsening on one side, but nothing too drastic. However, it can take several days for the muffled hearing and loud reactive tinnitus to settle whenever it happens.

Oh, and I also have MEM and TTTS (along with many other ear issues). It's very difficult dealing with so much going on every day!

I've also read what you mentioned about regular SBUTT episodes being associated with middle ear spasms. However, like you, I have both TTTS and MEM, and neither of these—which happen daily—seem linked to the random, prolonged SBUTT/muffled hearing/dysacusis episodes. I wish someone could figure this out!

My inbox is open if you ever want to vent, as I know how hard it is to deal with so many different ear issues.

What are you doing about the TTTS/MEM? I've had both for about ten years now and am very soon going to try Carbamazepine for it. I'm just worried about the side effects. If that doesn't help, I'll probably have the tendons cut, but I'm concerned about the potential long-term negative effects the surgery could have, especially with my other ear issues, like Eustachian tube problems. It's always difficult knowing what to do!

I wish you the best.

Well, some research says this.

I also read somewhere that the change in fluid pressure causing hydrops might be due to the ossicles being pushed by those muscles. So, irregular muscle activity could be responsible for those SBUTT symptoms. But who knows, these are all just theories.

Yeah, same here. I have tried magnesium for many months, on and off, but it did not help. I keep thinking about trying carbamazepine or even surgery, but I worry about making things worse than they already are.

I have gotten used to TTTS, but not MEM. Because it is occasional (I might have it once a week for an hour, or I could have daily episodes lasting up to eight hours, it is very irregular), I keep telling myself that maybe I can live with it. I also go through periods where I have little to no episodes.

When it gets bad, though, with intense and rapid fluttering that lasts for hours, it is maddening. About 95 percent of the time, episodes are triggered by yawns. I try to hold them back, which is tough but manageable. During episodes, I might press my finger against my ear to stop the spasms, or sometimes earplugs or a headset work too.

What I am trying to figure out is why yawns and occasionally hiccups trigger these episodes. What could be going on in there to cause that?

 

[Swampy]

Well, some research says this.

I also read somewhere that the change in fluid pressure causing hydrops might be due to the ossicles being pushed by those muscles. So, irregular muscle activity could be responsible for those SBUTT symptoms. But who knows, these are all just theories.

Yeah, same here. I have tried magnesium for many months, on and off, but it did not help. I keep thinking about trying carbamazepine or even surgery, but I worry about making things worse than they already are.

I have gotten used to TTTS, but not MEM. Because it is occasional (I might have it once a week for an hour, or I could have daily episodes lasting up to eight hours, it is very irregular), I keep telling myself that maybe I can live with it. I also go through periods where I have little to no episodes.

When it gets bad, though, with intense and rapid fluttering that lasts for hours, it is maddening. About 95 percent of the time, episodes are triggered by yawns. I try to hold them back, which is tough but manageable. During episodes, I might press my finger against my ear to stop the spasms, or sometimes earplugs or a headset work too.

What I am trying to figure out is why yawns and occasionally hiccups trigger these episodes. What could be going on in there to cause that?

Ah, I'm exactly the same as you. I find it maddening to deal with my thumping episodes, which can last for hours or even days. These episodes are usually triggered by burps, hiccups, or yawns, but they can also be set off by something as simple as moving my neck or turning over in bed. I also experience other symptoms due to having both MEM and TTTS. For example, I get fluttering sensations in response to certain sounds and voices, including my own. Even small movements like shifting my eyes, smiling, or touching my face can cause fluttering.

The rapid thumping that lasts for hours is so bizarre. It's strange how sometimes I can burp or hiccup without triggering an episode, yet other times the same actions set it off.

I typically have episodes most days, lasting for hours. However, there have been periods of relief over the past ten years. Once, I went about six months without any thumping episodes, even though I didn't do anything differently during that time. I still can't figure it out. I partly wonder if it's linked to neck issues or possibly Eustachian tube or sinus problems since burping and yawning seem to be the most common triggers. But nothing is consistent, so it's hard to pin down.

How strange! I've found that pressing against my ear or using earplugs doesn't help with the thumping episodes. The only thing that provides relief—though only for my left ear—is chewing gum or food, which can sometimes temporarily stop the thumping. Oddly, this doesn't work for my right ear, where the episodes are more intense.

I wish we could figure all of this out. I keep wondering the same things as you: What is causing this? Why do burps, hiccups, and yawns trigger it, but not always? I suspect it might be Eustachian tube-related, at least in my case, since I have Eustachian tube and sinus issues. But then I think it could also be connected to my neck, as turning over seems to set it off too. It's so confusing.

Do you have any Eustachian tube or sinus issues?

 

[DimLeb]

Ah, I'm exactly the same as you. I find it maddening to deal with my thumping episodes, which can last for hours or even days. These episodes are usually triggered by burps, hiccups, or yawns, but they can also be set off by something as simple as moving my neck or turning over in bed. I also experience other symptoms due to having both MEM and TTTS. For example, I get fluttering sensations in response to certain sounds and voices, including my own. Even small movements like shifting my eyes, smiling, or touching my face can cause fluttering.

The rapid thumping that lasts for hours is so bizarre. It's strange how sometimes I can burp or hiccup without triggering an episode, yet other times the same actions set it off.

I typically have episodes most days, lasting for hours. However, there have been periods of relief over the past ten years. Once, I went about six months without any thumping episodes, even though I didn't do anything differently during that time. I still can't figure it out. I partly wonder if it's linked to neck issues or possibly Eustachian tube or sinus problems since burping and yawning seem to be the most common triggers. But nothing is consistent, so it's hard to pin down.

How strange! I've found that pressing against my ear or using earplugs doesn't help with the thumping episodes. The only thing that provides relief—though only for my left ear—is chewing gum or food, which can sometimes temporarily stop the thumping. Oddly, this doesn't work for my right ear, where the episodes are more intense.

I wish we could figure all of this out. I keep wondering the same things as you: What is causing this? Why do burps, hiccups, and yawns trigger it, but not always? I suspect it might be Eustachian tube-related, at least in my case, since I have Eustachian tube and sinus issues. But then I think it could also be connected to my neck, as turning over seems to set it off too. It's so confusing.

Do you have any Eustachian tube or sinus issues?

For a moment, I thought I was writing this myself—it's so relatable! I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I also experience reactions to certain sounds and even to touching my face, which is probably related to TTTS.

Regarding your question, over the past year, I've also started dealing with Eustachian tube issues. Some days, I get a blocked feeling, mostly in my right ear, which is the one affected by the MEM. An ENT examined that ear and noticed that my eardrum appeared sucked in or something similar. He recommended sinus rinses and a nasal spray, but I don't think either made a difference.

During one visit, he even observed my ear during a MEM episode but couldn't actually see the thumps happening. It's such bizarre stuff, and I still can't figure out this riddle.

 

[Swampy]

For a moment, I thought I was writing this myself—it's so relatable! I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but I also experience reactions to certain sounds and even to touching my face, which is probably related to TTTS.

Regarding your question, over the past year, I've also started dealing with Eustachian tube issues. Some days, I get a blocked feeling, mostly in my right ear, which is the one affected by the MEM. An ENT examined that ear and noticed that my eardrum appeared sucked in or something similar. He recommended sinus rinses and a nasal spray, but I don't think either made a difference.

During one visit, he even observed my ear during a MEM episode but couldn't actually see the thumps happening. It's such bizarre stuff, and I still can't figure out this riddle.

Oh, we sound very similar in so many ways!

Yeah, I believe so too.

What I find weird is the rapid thumping—it sometimes feels like it gets "stuck" and becomes super rapid, while other times it's a slow rhythm. Occasionally, it even flits rapidly between both ears. It seems like it can't thump in both ears at the exact same millisecond, so it switches rapidly, although it usually sticks to one side. Then there's the fact that sometimes I can burp, hiccup, yawn, stretch, or turn over in bed and be fine, but other times it gets triggered. It feels so inconsistent, which makes it really hard to figure out.

It was also so strange when I had a random remission in symptoms many years ago, lasting several months, without doing anything different!

That's very interesting—sorry to hear you're dealing with that. Do you think the Eustachian tube (ET) issues are contributing to your MEM/TTTS? I believe that's the case for me, but I can't figure out if it's due to sinus/blockage issues or the fact that my tubes are also patulous, causing autophony. It doesn't make much sense to have patulous Eustachian tubes while also dealing with fluid buildup and blocked sinuses 24/7 from breathing issues. It's very weird, but I think it must be contributing somehow. I just can't figure out if it's the openness of the tubes, the fluid, or both.

I also had a cholesteatoma that started eroding some bones and other structures, so who knows at this point! I just wish I could figure out what's causing this and the random prolonged muffled sound bursts and reactive spikes. I also have pulsatile tinnitus that worsens along with head pressure and ET pressure when I stand, bend, or turn over, so I have to think the ET, fluid, and sinus issues are contributing somehow.

That is weird! I've also tried observing my eardrum but couldn't see the twitches. My eardrums have been rebuilt and reinforced because they were extremely floppy from the autophony caused by PET. They had to be rebuilt because every time I breathed in and out, they would flail too much, and the autophony was unbearable. So now they move less, which probably makes it harder to see for myself.

I saw Prof. Bance years ago, and we tried to observe it. I kept yawning and burping to trigger it, but of course, it didn't want to cooperate! Typical. It did eventually start, but every time they put the probe in my ear to measure the pressure, it stopped. It was so sneaky, and we struggled to get actual evidence of it.

If you ever get any further help or answers, have surgery, or find anything else that works, please do keep me updated—I'm genuinely interested and rooting for you! Hopefully, we can both get all this stuff figured out, along with everyone else dealing with it!

 

[ellees]

I deal with TTTS

@DimLeb, have you tried any medication for this condition? I would love to hear about your experiences if you have.

 

[DimLeb]

@DimLeb, have you tried any medication for this condition? I would love to hear about your experiences if you have.

Not specifically for TTTS, but for my MEM (spontaneous spasms not in reaction to sounds), I tried taking Magnesium and sinus rinses/nasal steroid spray. They had no effect at all. I've read online that Carbamazepine and some other anti-epileptic and muscle relaxer drugs can help both TTTS and MEM. There is a Facebook page "Middle Ear Myoclonus (MEM)" that you can check out.

 

[ellees]

I've read online that Carbamazepine and some other anti-epileptic and muscle relaxer drugs can help both TTTS and MEM.

@DimLeb, thanks. Do you plan on trying any of these medications out?

 

[orenge01]

I'm not sure. I experience a lot of fleeting tinnitus (deafening episodes), usually for no clear reason. However, I've noticed a slight increase in my baseline level recently. Hopefully, it will settle down at some point.

I might be going through some kind of spike, but most of the time, I try not to focus on it. I've heard that spikes can last a long time, so I'm trying to be patient. I believe it will probably decrease eventually. I hope.

I hope yours improves too. This is, without a doubt, a hellish condition.