Hearing Loss
Question: I was diagnosed with Sudden Hearing Loss Syndrome. I am 42 years old and was told the nerve to my ear was damaged as a child when I had German measles. The loss was instantly and total. There is no cure, procedure or device to help? What can you tell me about this? Do I qualify for Social Security Disability?

Answer: There is no current help, but a lot of research into an electric "ear". This is actually a fairly common problem, but it�s not publicized much. I have two patients with this problem. The etiology is not perfectly clear, but does appear to focus on previous nerve damage (usually infectious). It will not return. Disability usually depends on bilateral loss, which is uncommon in this problem.
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