“It is vital for someone with SSHL to be treated with steroids within 48 hours”
Just a few days before he was due to go on holiday to Canada, our client Peter Lawes suffered from sudden sensorineural hearing loss. However, we are delighted to report that the symptoms were subsequently reversed by steroid treatment, thanks to the fast response by Senior Audiologist Wendy Davies in her intervention to save his hearing.
With fate playing a helping hand, coincidentally on the morning that he woke up unable to hear in his left ear, Peter and his wife Susan were due to see Wendy for their annual hearing check. “As I opened my eyes on that Friday morning, I was astounded to realise that I couldn’t hear in one ear. Indeed, I was overwhelmed by a very loud, odd rushing water sound. I kept clicking my fingers next to my ear to test my hearing but there was nothing”, he explained.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Peter and Susan were so relieved that the incident happened on the day he was due to see Wendy. As soon as she carried out the audiometry, she immediately recognised his condition as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) and sent him off to A&E at Wexham with a letter explaining the urgency of the referral. “It is vital for someone with SSHL to be treated with steroids within 48 hours” she explains, “because if the condition is left any longer it cannot be reversed, showing why the speedy response protocol is now recognised by the NHS”.
Thankfully this process was followed, and Peter was seen straightaway. Within a few hours he was taking steroids. “I couldn’t believe the timing. If I didn’t already have an appointment with Wendy, I might have waited a while longer to see if my hearing improved, or I might even have left it until my return from my holiday in Canada, which would have been too late. I am so grateful and thankful to Wendy for her fast work!”
The best part is being able to hear!
Frustratingly, Peter and Susan’s flight to Toronto was delayed by 24 hours and when they arrived in Canada, they had the double delay whammy of Susan being picked at random for covid testing. Although the build up to their transatlantic trip was far from ideal, once the holiday finally started, Peter and Suan were able to relax and enjoy catching up with their family and friends who live over there. But they both say that the best part of all is that Peter is able to hear!
When he returned to the UK, Wendy followed up her appointment with Peter who was delighted to confirm that his hearing was back to normal. He says he definitely plans to book in for regular appointments with Wendy, to ensure his ears are well and truly looked after.
If you have experienced a sudden hearing loss in one or both ears please contact us immediately.
Peter Lawes and his wife Susan on their recent trip to see family in Canada
