Sudden hearing loss — is it an emergency?

By The STOTTS. Audiology Team 5 min read Published 28 August 2026 Reviewed 28 August 2026 Reviewed by Ben Lawrenson, Principal Audiologist

Most hearing loss develops slowly over years. But hearing that drops suddenly — usually in one ear, over a few hours or days — is different, and it should be treated as urgent. It is one of the few situations in hearing care where acting quickly genuinely changes the outcome, and it is often mistaken for something harmless.

What counts as sudden hearing loss?

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a rapid drop in hearing — typically in one ear — that comes on over a few hours to around three days. It may arrive with ringing in the ear (tinnitus), a blocked or full feeling, or dizziness. Many people wake up with it, or first notice it when they hold the phone to the affected ear.

Why it is urgent

The reason to act fast is simple: sudden hearing loss is most treatable in the first few days. Where a cause such as inflammation is involved, prompt medical treatment — often a course of steroids — gives the best chance of recovering hearing. That window is short, ideally within 24 to 72 hours, so this is not something to wait and see about.

What to do right now

• Do not wait for a routine appointment or assume it will clear on its own
• Contact your GP for an urgent appointment, call NHS 111, or go to A&E
• Explain clearly that your hearing dropped suddenly, and in which ear
• Mention any dizziness, tinnitus or a full feeling in the ear

If sudden hearing loss comes alongside facial drooping, weakness on one side, or slurred speech, call 999 — these can be signs of a stroke.

Sudden loss versus a blocked ear

It is easy to mistake sudden hearing loss for a simple blocked ear. As a rule of thumb, ear wax and colds tend to cause a gradual, muffled, blocked feeling, often affecting both ears. A genuine sudden loss in one ear should never be assumed to be wax — if you are not sure, treat it as urgent and get it checked.

After the urgent phase

Once you have been seen and any urgent treatment is under way, a full hearing assessment establishes exactly where your hearing stands and what, if anything, would help from here. We are glad to be that next step once the immediate situation has been dealt with.

If your hearing drops suddenly in one ear, please do not wait to see whether it settles. Treated within days it often recovers; left for a fortnight, the chance can be lost.