Can hearing loss happen suddenly?

Yes, hearing can drop suddenly, sometimes over minutes or hours, and often on waking. When this happens in the inner ear it is called sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and it is generally treated as a medical urgency. Acting promptly matters, because early assessment and care may improve the chance of recovery in some cases.

What does sudden hearing loss feel like?

Sudden hearing loss usually affects one ear, though it can occasionally involve both. People often notice:

• A rapid drop in hearing, sometimes discovered first thing in the morning.
• A blocked or full feeling in the ear.
• Ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in the affected ear.
• Dizziness or a sense of imbalance.
• Difficulty using the phone on that side.

Some people mistake it for earwax or the after-effects of a cold, which is one reason it can be easy to delay seeking help.

What can cause sudden hearing loss?

In many cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss no clear cause is ever found. Where a cause is identified, possibilities can include viral infection, problems with blood flow to the inner ear, inner-ear disorders, certain medications, or head injury. Sudden changes can also come from more everyday and reversible issues such as a wax blockage or middle-ear infection. Because the causes differ so much, prompt assessment helps sort out what is happening.

Why is timing so important?

With sudden sensorineural hearing loss, guidelines generally encourage assessment as soon as possible, often within a few days of onset, because timing can influence outcomes. This does not guarantee that hearing will return, and individual results vary, but waiting weeks in the hope it resolves on its own may reduce the options available. If your hearing drops suddenly, it is best not to adopt a wait-and-see approach.

How is it assessed and managed?

A prompt check helps establish what type of loss it is and what may help. This commonly involves:

• An examination of the ear to rule out simple causes such as wax or infection.
• A hearing test to measure the loss and whether it is conductive or sensorineural.
• Referral to a GP or an ear, nose and throat specialist, who decides on any medical treatment.
• Sometimes further investigation, if the specialist feels it is warranted based on your individual situation.

Any medical treatment is decided by a doctor based on your individual situation, so the priority is simply getting seen quickly.

What should you do if it happens?

If you experience a sudden drop in hearing, contact a GP or audiologist promptly, and treat it as urgent if it is accompanied by dizziness or affects only one ear. Note when the change started, mention any recent illness, new medications or head injury, and avoid delaying in the hope it clears. A hearing assessment can measure the loss and help guide the next step. Hearing Help is an independent clinic at Newport Marketplace on the Redcliffe Peninsula, and no referral is needed to book. If your hearing has changed suddenly, reaching out promptly is the most helpful thing you can do.