Ear health - Sudden Hearing Loss

Symptoms of sudden hearing loss

Most people tend to experience sudden hearing loss in one ear. As the name suggests, symptoms can come on suddenly, or develop over a few hours or days. People might notice it when they wake up, or find a change in their hearing when they listen to music or make a phone call. Some people may experience a loud popping sound before their hearing reduces.

Other accompanying symptoms include:

  • A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
  • Dizziness or problems with balance
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Causes of sudden hearing loss

Sudden hearing loss can happen for a number of reasons, including:

Diagnosing sudden hearing loss

Any change in hearing that you experience suddenly, and without any obvious cause, should be examined as soon as possible.

We’d recommend that you go to your local A&E department or urgent care ENT clinic within 24 hours , to find out what’s caused it, and the most effective treatment options for you.

Complications of sudden hearing loss

Some cases of sudden hearing loss can result in more long-lasting symptoms such as permanent hearing loss in the affected ear, or the development of tinnitus, a condition that involves a persistent or continuous ringing or buzzing sound in the ear.

Treatment process for sudden hearing loss

Treatment for sudden hearing loss will depend on its cause. Some cases may resolve on their own after a couple of weeks for no apparent reason, but you should seek medical advice as soon as possible because early treatment may increase the likelihood of recovery.

Treatment options typically include things like:

  • Steroids – to help reduce any inflammation or swelling causing the condition
  • Antibiotics – if your sudden hearing loss is caused by an infection
  • Changing medication – some cases might happen due to a side effect of certain medications, so switching to an alternative may help
  • Hearing aids – You might be advised to wear hearing aids to improve your hearing, if the change to your hearing is found to be permanent. If you also experience tinnitus, more specialised hearing aids might be recommended. 
  • Lifestyle changes – some people might benefit from reducing risk factors associated with sudden hearing loss, which include things like stress, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity

FAQs

Is sudden hearing loss permanent?

This will depend on its underlying cause. Some cases will restore your hearing back to normal, whereas some might result in permanent hearing loss in the affected ear. That’s why early diagnosis and treatment are important to increase the chance of successful treatment.

What causes sudden loss of hearing in one ear?

Sudden hearing loss can happen in one or both ears and can be caused by a number or things including, ear infections, injury to the ear, a build-up of earwax, Ménière’s disease, or a side effect of certain medications.

Is sudden hearing loss an emergency?

Any kind of sudden hearing loss you experience, particularly when there is no obvious cause, should be treated as an emergency and investigated as soon as possible.

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