There are currently more than 20 million deaf patients nationwide, along with more than 30,000 new patients each year. “The number of patients with sudden deafness has increased in recent years. The hospital receives more than 10 patients with sudden deafness every month, many of whom are busy white-collar workers. Since around 40 years old is the high incidence of sudden deafness, and once it occurs, the later the treatment the more difficult it is to recover hearing. Sudden hearing loss due to fatigue and cold Miss Wang, 28, works in a computer company, and she often works overtime until late at night due to heavy workload. Every time I feel tired, in addition to dizziness, often accompanied by a few minutes of tinnitus. During the Spring Festival she went on a trip and felt her ears “buzzing” all the time, and on the first day of work after the festival, she found that she could not even hear the sound of talking at close range, and only then went to the hospital. Mr. Zhang’s hearing loss but no signs, he has always been good health, like to run in the morning after waking up, and then take a shower. Half a month ago, the morning shower but a cold, this day when the morning ears suddenly a burst of swelling, numbness, followed by a sky-spinning vertigo, he rushed to lie down to rest, vertigo better, but found himself suddenly plunged into a silent world, two hours later still no improvement, he was scared out of his cold sweat, rushed to the hospital. The doctor tested him and found that he was severely deaf and had to be hospitalized. In these two weeks, our department has admitted several patients with sudden deafness. Because of poor rest and socializing during the Spring Festival, coupled with the recent increase in flu patients, some people suffer sudden hearing loss due to triggering factors such as viral infections. Patients often have their hearing drop to the lowest point within minutes or hours, and some patients may also have tinnitus and vertigo. Physical and mental strain, white-collar sudden deafness increases “Sudden deafness used to be less common, but now the incidence has increased significantly.” Twenty years ago, there were at most one or two cases of sudden deafness a month, but now there are often 10 or so cases a month. “This may be related to the change in lifestyle.” According to Zhai Jinming, with the accelerated pace of life, people are living under more and more pressure, often staying up late, overworking, mental stress, emotional stimulation, and viral infections are all triggering factors. Many patients who work late the night before the onset of the disease start to feel dizzy the next day and gradually develop tinnitus or even deafness after a few days; some patients are also prone to the onset of the disease because of family disharmony, quarrels with family members and being in a state of emotional tension and depression. Among patients with sudden deafness, white-collar workers account for 30% to 40%, especially young and middle-aged brain workers, company employees, students and other groups are most prone to attacks. In addition, patients with diabetes and hypertension are also at high risk for sudden deafness. Why does sudden deafness occur? The blood vessels supplying the inner ear are small and thin, and travel in tortuous coils, and many causes can affect the blood supply to this vessel. For example, heart disease and low blood pressure can cause insufficient pressure in the blood vessels; atherosclerosis can make the blood vessels narrow; and a large number of long-term smoking, alcoholism, mental stress, work strain, cold and cold can slow the blood flow or spasm of the small blood vessels in the inner ear, resulting in ischemia and lack of oxygen in the inner ear. After inner ear ischemia, the hair cells that feel sound will degenerate or even necrosis; the auditory nerve that transmits signals will also temporarily lose its function, thus causing sudden hearing loss. 72-hour emergency hearing rescue “The sooner you seek medical attention for sudden deafness, the better, and any visit within a week can have a better treatment effect.” However, to recover better, 72 hours is the best time. Because of the rapid onset and progression of sudden deafness, hearing generally drops to its lowest point within minutes or hours and rarely exceeds three days. Therefore, if the symptoms of tinnitus and hearing loss appear, it is best to go to the hospital within 72 hours to save the “critical” hearing. However, some patients delay treatment until half a month or even a month later. Only a very small number of people with sudden deafness have the potential to heal on their own. When you feel tired, and you experience tinnitus that lasts for a few seconds or tens of seconds, you should know that this is your ear reminding you that it is time to take a good rest and not to work too hard. When you stay up all night or when you are physically and mentally exhausted and nervous, if you experience sudden tinnitus, vertigo, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms, you should go to a specialist hospital for timely treatment.