Source
r/Writeresearch•
GOTFilms

What would cause complete hearing loss in a grown adult man?

[Question]

Hey there, I'm working a short story involving a lot of soundscape- I want a character who is entirely deaf to be involved but I want some depth as to how this may have happened. My preliminary research mostly has lead to hearing loss, or partial hearing loss, ringing in the ears- but I am more or less looking for reasons someone would be entirely deaf- if an illness how would it progress? I would honestly like it if it was a sudden event- is there anything in a war for example that would cause this? Could you lose all your hearing being too close to a blast for example? Man would be otherwise healthy (potentially may have PTSD if I go in that direction) probably around 35-40. I would like it if at one point they could hear but were unable to because of said event. Advice? Thanks!

Posted Jan 12, 2020, 9:11 AM UTC

2312
SweetHermitressAwesome Author Researcher•

You could definitely lose hearing, at least partially, from being too close to a blast. Source: have worked at the VA, my husband lost a degree of his hearing being too close to a firecracker. Not sure if it would cause complete hearing loss, but it could interfere with his ability to understand.

7
Origami_ApprenticeAwesome Author Researcher•

There's a disability advocate I follow who lost most of his hearing in a blast in Vietnam. He says the other six guys in the tent are completely deaf, the only reason he was spared was because he was passed out drunk on the floor.

4
IWatchBadTVAwesome Author Researcher•

Measles can cause deafness.

5
ConanTheProletarianAwesome Author Researcher•

Lots of possibilities. Infection, head trauma, multiple sclerosis, Meniere's disease.

4
Crowdfunder101Awesome Author Researcher•

An event I witnessed was two friends who hadn’t seen each other for years reuniting.

They rushed towards each other and one raised both hands ready to clasp the other’s face to embrace. But clamped down way too hard and missed their face getting their ears. Their ears bled and they lost their hearing entirely. About 3 years later it did begin to recover - so it wasn’t a permanent thing. But it could easily have been.

3
GOTFilmsOPAwesome Author Researcher•

Woah! That’s absolutely fascinating. It’s interesting there was complete loss that recovered- might have to put that in my back pocket!

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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CrippledCryptid26Awesome Author Researcher•

Spontaneous sensorineural hearing loss.

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GOTFilmsOPAwesome Author Researcher•

Does that happen? Is there any outside condition that could trigger it? Or is it like full amnesia where it’s used in writing but it typically doesn’t happen that way (it that makes sense?)

1
CrippledCryptid26Awesome Author Researcher•

It does happen! It can happen spontaneously. I'll link to a page that explains it. SSNHL

Essentially, 9/10 people only lose it in one ear, but some do lose it in both ears. Not always a known cause, and some people do regain some hearing. A friend I know had it in both ears. We're in ASL together as I'm deaf and learning the language. They just woke up one morning and both their ears felt super muffled. Parents didnt believe them, but audiology diagnosed SSNHL.

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GOTFilmsOPAwesome Author Researcher•

Awesome thanks!

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TizakiAwesome Author Researcher•

Forgetting to put on hearing protection while at a gun range or plane hangar.

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Thatperson00963Awesome Author Researcher•

Playing in a band with no sound protection, lisyening yo music at high volumes, shooting guns, explosions, working in a factory try as they might to keep sound levels normal things get under the cracks.

1