A sudden drop in hearing is different from the gradual hearing changes that can happen over time. It may affect one ear, develop over a few hours, and occur without pain. Because the cause is not always obvious, it is important to have the change assessed promptly.
One possible cause is sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), a condition that affects the inner ear or the hearing system. Getting medical attention quickly is important because early treatment may improve your chances of recovering some or all of your hearing.
In this guide, we explain the sudden hearing loss symptoms, what may cause it, why the first 72 hours matter, and what steps to take if your hearing changes suddenly.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL), commonly known as sudden deafness, is an unexplained sudden loss of hearing that happens within a 72-hour window. It is considered a sudden hearing loss emergency because delayed treatment can lead to permanent hearing damage.
Doctors commonly define SSNHL as a hearing loss of at least 30 decibels across three consecutive sound frequencies within 72 hours. However, a smaller sudden change can also need medical attention.
SSNHL affects the inner ear or the pathway that carries sound signals to the brain. In many cases, doctors cannot identify a specific cause. This does not make the condition less serious. Never treat a sudden drop in hearing as a routine hearing concern. If the change is unexplained, seek urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for a regular hearing appointment.
Sudden hearing loss symptoms can vary, and they do not always include pain. The change may be obvious or subtle enough to go unnoticed at first. Common symptoms include:
You may notice that sounds become quieter or that you cannot hear as well as you normally do. Conversations may be harder to follow, especially when someone speaks from your affected side. The change can happen all at once or become noticeable over a short period.
Sounds may seem unclear, distant, or as though people are speaking through a wall. You may hear someone talking but struggle to understand what they’re saying. This can happen even when the person is speaking at a normal volume.
If you notice muffled sounds or reduced hearing in one ear, it may help to understand the common causes of hearing loss in one ear and when to get it checked.
Some people develop ringing, buzzing, or a high-pitched sound in the affected ear. This is called tinnitus. The sound may be constant or come and go, even when the surroundings are quiet.
Your ear may feel blocked, heavy, or as though water is trapped inside. This sensation can occur even when there is no earwax buildup or fluid blocking the ear canal. Do not assume that a blocked-ear feeling is harmless if it starts alongside a sudden change in hearing.
Sudden hearing loss may occur with dizziness, vertigo, or difficulty keeping your balance. Vertigo can make you feel as though the room is spinning, even when you are sitting still. These symptoms can indicate that the inner ear is also affected.
If you notice a sudden drop in hearing, get an urgent hearing test. Do not wait for the symptoms to improve or assume that earwax, a cold or allergies are responsible.
There are several possible causes of sudden hearing loss, but the exact cause is often unknown. Identifying the cause matters because different conditions may require different treatments. Possible sudden hearing loss causes include:
Some viral or other infections may affect the inner ear or the hearing system. However, having a cold or another infection before hearing loss does not prove that the infection caused the hearing loss.
Conditions affecting the inner ear can cause changes in hearing, sometimes along with ringing or dizziness. Ménière’s disease, for example, can cause hearing changes, sometimes alongside ringing, ear fullness, or dizziness.
An injury to the head or ear can damage structures involved in hearing. Sudden changes in hearing after an injury should be assessed promptly.
Some medicines can damage the inner ear and affect hearing. If you notice a sudden change after starting a medicine or changing your dose, contact a medical professional. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without medical advice unless you are instructed to do so.
In some cases, doctors investigate conditions that affect the immune system or blood supply. These are possible explanations, but they cannot be confirmed from symptoms alone.
Because the causes vary, a medical examination is important. It helps determine what may be affecting your hearing and which treatment, if any, is appropriate.
The 72-hour period is important because it describes how quickly sudden sensorineural hearing loss develops. It is not a period you should wait out before seeking care. Here are three reasons not to wait to get your hearing tested:
Sudden hearing loss can feel similar to earwax buildup or pressure caused by congestion. A medical examination and hearing test help distinguish between different types of hearing loss.
Doctors may recommend corticosteroids to treat sudden sensorineural hearing loss. These medicines can help in some cases, and starting treatment early may improve the chance of recovery.
Some people regain hearing without treatment, but there is no reliable way to know who will recover or how much hearing will return. Waiting to see what happens may delay care when treatment is needed.
Do not wait until the 72-hour mark to seek help. Sudden hearing loss that is unexplained should be assessed urgently, even if it began only a few hours ago. Treatment may still be considered after the first 72 hours, so anyone who has already waited should seek medical care rather than assume it is too late.
If your hearing suddenly changes, your priority is to get the right medical assessment. The following steps explain what to do and how a hearing test fits into the process.
Contact a healthcare professional immediately or go to a hospital emergency department for assessment. You may need to see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.
Do not wait for a routine appointment or spend several days trying to clear your ear yourself. If the hearing loss occurs with facial weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, severe imbalance, or other possible signs of a neurological emergency, call 911.
A hearing test helps measure how well you hear different sounds and pitches. It can help identify the type and degree of hearing loss.
During an assessment, the hearing care professional may examine your ears and perform pure-tone audiometry. This test involves listening to sounds at different volumes and pitches through headphones.
A timely hearing assessment can help identify the type and degree of hearing loss and guide the next steps. If you notice a sudden change in your hearing, seek urgent medical attention and ask about arranging a hearing test in Calgary as part of your assessment.
If a doctor diagnoses sudden sensorineural hearing loss, they may recommend corticosteroids (natural cortisol) to decrease swelling and tissue damage in the inner ear. These can be taken by mouth or delivered through an injection into the middle ear, depending on the person’s circumstances.
The right approach depends on the cause, medical history, examination findings, and how long the hearing loss has been present. Do not start prescription medication on your own. Follow the treatment advice given by your healthcare professional.
Do not try to treat unexplained sudden hearing loss with oils, ear drops, or cotton swabs. These will not treat inner-ear damage and may cause additional problems.
Follow your healthcare professional’s advice about further tests and follow-up appointments. Repeat hearing tests may be needed to check whether your hearing is improving. If your hearing does not fully return, your healthcare team can discuss further treatment and hearing support options.
If you are looking for a hearing test clinic in Calgary, Prime Hearing Clinic offers hearing assessments to help you understand your hearing health.
The first step is to determine whether the hearing loss is caused by a blockage in the ear or a problem affecting the inner ear or hearing nerve. This helps doctors identify the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
Doctors may use the following tests to assess sudden hearing loss:
Treatment depends on the cause and type of hearing loss.
Yes, hearing can return after sudden sensorineural hearing loss, but recovery varies from person to person. Some people regain much or all of their hearing. Others experience partial recovery or have lasting hearing loss.
The outcome depends on factors such as the degree of hearing loss, the possible cause, and the response to treatment. Early assessment and appropriate treatment may improve the chance of recovery, but they cannot guarantee a particular result.
Even if your hearing begins to improve on its own, it is important to seek medical advice. Improvement does not necessarily mean the underlying problem has been resolved. If some hearing loss remains, follow-up testing can help you understand your hearing needs and explore suitable options.
Sudden hearing loss should never be left to see if it improves on its own. Whether your ear feels blocked, sounds seem muffled, or you notice a sudden drop in hearing, prompt medical assessment is important. Early diagnosis can help identify the cause and determine whether time-sensitive treatment is needed.
Once you’ve addressed any urgent medical concerns, a hearing assessment can help you understand your hearing and explore next steps.
If you need follow-up hearing care or are looking for a hearing test clinic in Calgary, contact Prime Hearing Clinic. We can help you understand your hearing health and the options available to you.
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