Hi,
There are a few things to understand about alopecia. Usually, but not always, it's a reaction to extreme stress. This stress causes your immuns system to basically go nuts. It becom es too overactive, too agressive, and seeks an invader to attack. When it cannot find an invading problem, such as bacteria, it goes after it's own body because it is too fired up. The first thing it attacks is the hair folicles. Those folicles go dormant because of the assault on them. It doesn't destroy them, but it can stun them, which, in most cases is what it does.
Once the stress is over, your immune system goes back to normal. Understand, it takes approximately three months for the hair folicles to recover, and start producing hair again, which usually starts out as a fine fuzz that is often hard to see at first. This, sadly produces stress, which then becomes a viscious cycle. Once you understand that by controlling your stress, you allow your immune system to calm down, you will relax, and hair will return, albeit slowly, but it will happen. You need to relax, and let your immune system calm down. This will let the hair folicles go back to work producing hair again, and you will return to your usual self, with hair.
Should the stress continue unabated, your immune system will continue attacking your body, and other areas will suffer as well, like the liver, kidneys and spleen. So, first and foremost, get your stress under control. If you cannot do this, a doctor wi.l most likely prescribe two weeks of antibiotics and one week of prednisone. The prednisone, a steroid, causes your immune system to shut down completely, allowing your body to start to recover, as the antibiotics keep you protected. You may also be placed on something to control your stress, which will help keep your immune system in check, instead of allowing it to become too agressive, and your hair, once again, will start to grow back within three months.
The first thing to do is have the doctor check for underlying causes. If there is something else besides stress causing this, it needs to be addressed. If nothing is found, then most likely the underlying cause is stress, and the above should correct the problem.
Learn, either way, to control your stress. You'll live longer, and have more enjoyment out of life. Find something you like to do, and do it! Do things for yourself that you enjoy. This goes a long way towards thwarting the stressors in life, and helps put things in their proper perspective. Relax a little. Don't take things so seriously. You'll do much better, and improve your quality of life.
I've been where you're at more than once, so I'm familiar with this. Get your stress down, get checked for other possible causes, if there are any, get them taken care of. Alopecia isn't permanent in most cases, and you WILL recover, and your hair will return. Give it time, and don't get overly stressed by it, ok?
Cliff 
Taking it one day at a time.
"MDJ has given me the ability to help thousands of people, and I'm so glad for that opportunity. It's been a lifeline for me. It's nice to know that you aren't the only one going thru something, and there is ALWAYS someone ready to help you anyway they can. MDJ is truly one of a kind, and I'm grateful for the friends I've made here." (jaime1978)
although I'm not doing hair anymore I still work in the beauty industry and so looks play a big role in my career. The worst part is not knowing what to expect. I could lose all my hair, and it may grow back or not, I could figure this thing out and get it to retreat, who knows. Ive told only a few very close friends, but keeping it a secret has been so draining on me. I almost feel ashamed or something, even though I know I shouldn't, I do. I just keep telling myself that whatever happens the only way I'll get through this is with a good attitude. However I often slip into worry and crying spells. 
Lol...you aren't alone Cliff...I don't have hair above my ears either.