Sudden hearing loss or sudden deafness is a condition where your hearing deteriorates over an extremely short period of time. This change can happen from one moment to the next. Sounds may seem muffled, tinny, distorted or appear to have an echo. In some cases, you won't be able to hear anything at all. You may see this referred to as 'sudden deafness,' but that's not always accurate. Sudden hearing loss can be partial or complete. Below, we explain what sudden hearing loss is, how to recognise it, its possible causes, and what you can do about it. We'll also tell you how to help prevent it.
What is sudden hearing loss?
Sudden hearing loss is an abrupt deafness or reduction in hearing that happens within minutes or even seconds. In some cases, it develops during the night, and you may not notice it until you wake up. Usually, only one ear is affected, and according to KNO.nl, the condition occurs in about 8 people per 100,000 each year.
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How can you recognise sudden hearing loss? Signs of sudden hearing loss are:
- Sounds become muffled, tinny or distorted.
- Hearing disappears in one ear (completely in severe cases).
- Directional hearing (being able to tell where sounds are coming from) is lost in one ear.
- Tinnitus, which is usually ringing in the ears but can also be humming, rumbling or whistling.
- Around 1 in 3 people also experience balance problems, ranging from mild dizziness to severe vertigo with nausea.
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in one ear.
Can it affect both ears?
In almost all cases, only one ear is affected. It's very rare for sudden hearing loss to affect both ears. But losing hearing in just one ear creates social and practical challenges, particularly because you can no longer locate where sounds are coming from.
Causes of sudden hearing loss.
The exact cause is not always clear, but some known causes are:
- A head injury that causes damage to the inner ear. Want to know more about how hearing works? Read all about it here.
- A sudden change in pressure, e.g. when diving or flying.
- Severe infections, like meningitis.
- Viral infections.
- Hearing damage due to exposure to loud noise.
Stress:
Stress can have an indirect impact on your hearing by affecting blood flow to the ear or weakening your general health and immunity. It's rare for stress to be the direct cause, but it can make you more vulnerable to various physical problems.
Colds:
A blocked nose or middle ear infection due to a cold can cause hearing loss. However, this isn't classed as sudden hearing loss because it doesn't affect the inner ear or auditory nerve. You'll find that your hearing improves once you've recovered from your cold.
Other causes, including viruses, circulation problems and immune disorders.
When there's no obvious cause, sudden hearing loss may be due to viral infections, circulation disorders or immune system problems. Conditions like Lyme disease or syphilis may also play a role. If you experience sudden hearing loss, consult a medical specialist for a proper diagnosis.
Is sudden hearing loss temporary or permanent?
- About one-third of people with sudden hearing loss completely recover without treatment.
- In another third, hearing is partially recovered, but they continue to have some form of hearing loss.
- The final third do not recover their hearing at all.
Recovery usually occurs within the first few weeks. After 3 to 6 months, further improvement is unlikely. Problems with balance and the feeling of pressure in the ear often disappear, but tinnitus can be permanent.
What people say about the first signs
Many patients notice the symptoms immediately: Noises sound different, distorted or muffled and sometimes have an echo. Tinnitus and pressure in the ear can be indications that something serious is going on. Dizziness or a feeling that the ground is dropping away beneath you are also common.
Living with sudden hearing loss: Impact and advice
Losing hearing in one ear can often be socially and emotionally challenging. You struggle to locate where sounds are coming from and find it harder to make out sounds in noisy environments. Tinnitus can disrupt your sleep. People who experience partial hearing loss are often anxious about their good ear, but fortunately, the other ear is almost never affected. However, it's advisable to treat any ear infections promptly and protect your ears from loud noise. For example, if you're going to a concert or festival, protect your hearing with earplugs.
What should you do if you experience sudden hearing loss?
Act fast: If you lose hearing in one ear, contact your doctor, an urgent care helpline, or visit your local urgent care center immediately. Prompt treatment increases the chances of recovery.
Examination: You'll be checked for simple causes first, like a cold or earwax buildup. If there's no obvious reason for the hearing loss, you'll be referred to an ENT specialist for hearing tests, blood tests and possibly an MRI scan.
Treatment: If no cause is found, anti-inflammatory medication, like prednisolone or prednisone, is often prescribed within the first 10 to 14 days.
Hearing aids: For permanent, severe hearing loss, a hearing aid may be an option, though these work less well when only one ear is affected.
Rehabilitation and support: An ENT specialist and audiologist can help you adapt to daily life and cope with the emotional impact. Organisations for the deaf, such as the RNID in the UK, can also offer support.
