Sudden Hearing Loss – Why Urgent ENT Assessment Matters
Sudden loss of hearing in one ear can be frightening and it should always be treated as a medical emergency.
While many people assume a blocked ear, wax, or infection is the cause, a significant number of cases are due to Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL), a condition that needs urgent treatment for the best chance of recovery.
At Hampshire ENT Clinics, through Medicana Winchester, we provide fast access to consultant assessment and immediate treatment for patients across Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Salisbury.
🔊 What Is Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)?
SSNHL is a rapid loss of hearing that occurs over minutes, hours, or up to 72 hours.
It usually affects one ear and may be accompanied by:
Ear fullness
Tinnitus (ringing)
Distorted sound
Dizziness or imbalance
A sensation like “the ear has switched off”
It can be caused by inner-ear or auditory nerve dysfunction not just earwax or fluid.
Early diagnosis is critical because treatment works best within the first 48–72 hours.
🚨 When Is It an Emergency?
Seek urgent ENT assessment if you experience:
Sudden hearing loss in one ear
Distorted or muffled hearing that does not improve after yawning/swallowing
New tinnitus with hearing drop
Sudden hearing change after a cold or virus
Sudden hearing change on waking
If SSNHL is suspected, treatment must begin immediately, ideally the same day.
🩺 How We Diagnose Sudden Hearing Loss
At Hampshire ENT we provide rapid assessment, which may include:
Consultant examination
Ear microscope examination (to rule out wax obstruction)
Urgent audiogram (hearing test)
Tympanometry (middle-ear pressure assessment)
MRI scan if needed to exclude rare neurological causes
If the hearing test confirms sensorineural loss, treatment begins the same day.
💊 Treatment Options – The Sooner, the Better
1. Oral Steroids (First-Line Treatment)
High-dose oral steroids started within the first 48 hours offer the best chance of recovery.
Usually taken for 7–14 days
Reduce inflammation in the inner ear
Easy, effective, and well tolerated for most patients
2. Intratympanic Steroid Injections
Steroids are injected directly into the middle ear, where they diffuse into the inner ear.
These are used when:
Oral steroids are not suitable (e.g., diabetes, gastric issues)
Oral steroids have not fully restored hearing
Additional treatment is needed to maximise recovery
This treatment is available at Hampshire ENT Clinics.
3. Recovery Monitoring
Repeat audiograms track improvement over time.
Some patients recover fully; others improve partially, early treatment makes the biggest difference.
🧠 What Isn’t SSNHL?
Not all sudden hearing changes are sensorineural. It may also be caused by:
Earwax
Middle-ear fluid (glue ear)
Eardrum problems
Ear infections
These are benign and treatable — but the only way to know is through an urgent ENT assessment.
🌟 Rapid Expert Care Across Hampshire
You don’t need to travel far for urgent hearing loss treatment.
We provide same-day or next-day appointments at:
Hampshire ENT Clinics (Portsmouth, Fareham & surrounding areas)
👉 If you experience sudden hearing loss, contact Hampshire ENT Clinics at Medicana Winchester immediately for urgent assessment and treatment.