DEAR DR. ROACH: About a month ago, I woke up without hearing in my left ear. I initially suspected a wax blockage or a blocked eustachian tube but eventually realized that it was more serious. I saw an ENT doctor who gave me a steroid shot and put me on prednisone. An MRI doesn’t show a stroke or tumor.
About 5% to 10% of my hearing seems to have returned after two weeks of treatment. I had never heard of this problem before but have since learned of others who’ve had it. Usually they’ve had permanent hearing loss. What causes this? Is there anything else I can do? — T.D.S.
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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or send mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.
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