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Sudden hearing loss is a condition which causes a hearing loss within three days of the onset. The causes of sudden hearing loss are not well understood which has also impeded the development of effective treatment.

Traumatic injury, immune disease, and an impairment of blood circulation to the inner ear are some causes of sudden hearing loss. Several viral and bacterial infections have been identified as possible causes of sudden hearing loss.

Another potential cause of sudden hearing loss is a viral infection. Mumps and German measles, also called rubella, have been linked to sudden hearing loss. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine may be a rare cause of sudden hearing loss.

Herpes viruses have been implicated in cases of hearing loss after viral infection. Other viral infections that have been linked to some cases of sudden hearing loss include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Lassa fever, and wild-type measles.

Researchers have been unable to replicate sudden hearing loss after viral infection in the laboratory. Therefore, the link between viral infections and sudden hearing loss has not been scientifically proven. Scientists have been unable to confirm the relationship between viral infections and sudden hearing loss.

It is unknown why some people who acquire these viral infections develop sudden hearing loss. Bacterial infections from Meningococcal meningitis, syphilis, and Mycoplasma bacteria can also cause sudden hearing loss.

Inflammation of the cochlea and abnormal changes in the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear due to the infection is believed by some experts to be the cause of sudden hearing loss from infection. These causes have not been scientifically proven.

There are many cases in which the cause of the sudden hearing loss is not identified. The hearing loss may be called idiopathic hearing loss or idiopathic sudden hearing loss if the cause of the sudden hearing loss cannot be determined. Often, sudden hearing loss improves without treatment. In about fifty percent of cases, the hearing loss is recovered mysteriously without treatment which is known as spontaneous recovery.

There are approximately four thousand cases of sudden hearing loss in the United States every year. People between the ages of fifty and sixty are most commonly affected. Sudden hearing loss is considered a medical emergency. However, there is no universally accepted standard treatment for sudden hearing loss.

The many types of wheelchairs allow wheelchair users can select a wheelchair with which they are comfortable and suits their needs. The wheelchair that a wheelchair user purchase is must match their physical needs and lifestyle.

Many people may think that the only two types of wheelchairs are electric and manual wheelchairs. When using a manual wheelchair, the wheelchair user must be able to use their own strength to propel the wheelchair forward. Manual wheelchairs are cheaper than electric wheelchairs.

Since manual wheelchairs require arm strength, they are not suitable for all wheelchair users. Electric wheelchairs are powered by batteries and therefore do not require the wheelchair user to have significant arm strength. If a doctor feels that a patient needs an electric wheelchair, medical insurance may cover part of the costs of purchasing an electric wheelchair.

The standard controls for an electric wheelchair are usually a joystick-like controller on the armrest. For wheelchair users who do not have the manual dexterity to operate the standard wheelchair controls, some electric wheelchairs have a control system that is controlled by the wheelchair user by tubes placed near the wheelchair user's mouth. The wheelchair user blows and sucks on the tubes to control the wheelchair.

In addition to whether a wheelchair is electric or manual, some types of wheelchairs are made to suit the body types of some wheelchair users. Pediatric wheelchairs are smaller wheelchairs designed for use by children. Bariatric wheelchairs are designed for obese or large wheelchair users.

Manual and electric wheelchairs have more variations than sizes for young or large wheelchair users. Electric wheelchairs differ on the type of battery use and which wheels control the movement of the wheelchair.

Some manual wheelchairs are made for specific uses. There are wheelchairs that are used specifically for wheelchair sports because they are very light weight. Some types of manual wheelchairs are made to cross difficult terrain such as snow wheelchairs and sand wheelchairs. The types of wheelchairs made to cross snow and sand typically have much wider wheels to prevent the wheelchair from sinking into the sand or snow.

A mobility scooter is an electric type of wheelchair that often has a steering handlebar in front of the seat. The chair of the mobility scooter may swivel to allow easier entry and exit of the wheelchair. Mobility scooters are typically not able to turn corners as sharply as a regular electric wheelchair.

Wheelchairs can be further customized to meet the needs of the wheelchair user by adding wheelchair accessories. Oxygen tank carriers, cup holders, and cane carriers are examples of wheelchair accessories.