Most hearing loss develops over years. But sometimes it happens in an instant, you wake up with one ear "off," or hearing fades over a day or three, often with a pop, fullness, ringing or dizziness. This is sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), and here's the single most important thing to know: it's a medical emergency.
Why speed matters so much
Treated promptly, ideally within the first 72 hours, sudden hearing loss often responds to corticosteroid treatment, and many people recover some or most of their hearing. Wait a few weeks and the odds drop sharply. Yet most people do exactly the wrong thing: they assume it's wax or a cold and give it time. Days become weeks, and the treatment window quietly closes.
What it feels like
- Hearing in one ear (usually) drops suddenly or over up to 72 hours
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- New ringing or buzzing
- Sometimes dizziness or unsteadiness
A useful home check: if you can't hear a phone dial tone or rubbing fingers next to the affected ear the way you can on the other side, treat it as urgent.
What causes it?
In most cases doctors never pin down a single cause, viral infections, circulation problems in the inner ear, and autoimmune reactions are leading suspects. The uncertainty doesn't change the playbook: prompt evaluation and treatment first, detective work second.
What to do, today, not next week
- Don't wait to "see if it clears up."
- Seek prompt medical care, an urgent care, ENT, or emergency department can begin steroid treatment quickly.
- Get your hearing tested to document the loss and track recovery.
If any hearing loss remains after treatment, there are good options, from hearing aids to CROS devices designed for single-sided hearing loss. We're here for the testing, the follow-up and whatever comes next: contact us. But first, if this is happening to you right now, make the call today.