Sudden Hearing Loss

Most of the time, hearing loss happens gradually, over many years. But sometimes, hearing loss happens suddenly, within a few hours or overnight.

• Sudden hearing loss usually happens in only one ear

• You may also have other symptoms, such as ringing in your ears, dizziness, or feeling like you’re spinning (vertigo)

• Most often, doctors don't find a reason for sudden hearing loss

• Sometimes, sudden hearing loss is caused by a very loud noise, severe head injury, infection, or use of certain medicines

• In a few weeks, about half of people get all their hearing back and many others get some hearing back

See a doctor right away if you have sudden hearing loss.

Most often, doctors can't find a cause for sudden hearing loss.

When there is a cause, it's usually something obvious like:

• A sudden, very loud noise, such as an explosion or gunshot

• A bad head injury

• A sudden, severe pressure change in the ear (such as from air travel or scuba diving)

• Certain medicines that have the side effect of damaging your hearing

Doctors will ask questions about your hearing loss and do a physical exam. They usually do:

• Hearing tests

Depending on your examination and hearing tests, doctors may also do:

• CT (computed tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of your head

• Blood tests

Doctors treat any health problem that's causing your hearing loss. If they can't tell what's causing your hearing loss, they may try giving you:

• Corticosteroids by mouth or as a shot in your ear