Polycythemia Vera and your hearing
Polycythemia Vera is a rare slow growing blood cancer where the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. This will cause your blood to thicken. Many patients with Polycythemia Vera will experience a variety of different symptoms.
Symptoms of Polycythemia Vera
- Headaches
- Weakness
- Pruritus (Itchy Skin)
- Dyspepsia (Indigestion)
- Dizziness
- Visual disturbances
- Stroke
- Acute myocardial infarction (Heart Attack)
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss
Polycythemia Vera and your hearing
You may experience a sudden onset of Tinnitus and one-sided hearing loss. This is because of occlusion or a blot clot that blocks the artery (Labyrinthine Artery) feeding blood to your inner ear. Because your Cochlea (Hearing organ) no longer receives blood or a low supply of blood the nerve cells that takes information to the brain will take damage. This could potentially cause tinnitus and hearing Loss.
Early diagnosis and treatment may have the ability to improve your hearing and reduce your chances of permanent hearing loss.
Treatment
A Hematologist will help with the treatment of your red blood cell levels.
An Audiologist or ENT will be able to help with the Tinnitus as well as the hearing loss.
Contact us should you be concerned about your hearing!
centurion@yvdwaudiology.co.za | benoni@yvdwaudiology.co.za | saxby@yvdwaudiology.co.za
012 653 3830 | 011 425 0171 | 087 944 1803
