Should I go to urgent care for sudden hearing loss?

Any kind of noticeable hearing loss should prompt a visit to your primary care doctor or urgent care center for investigation, Dr. Woodson says. The presence of dizziness or vertigo along with hearing loss can be clues of SSNHL, she says. Some people also report a strong ringing in their ear before their hearing fades.

What does it mean when you go temporarily deaf in one ear?

sudden hearing loss in 1 ear may be due to earwax, an ear infection, a perforated (burst) eardrum or Ménière’s disease. sudden hearing loss in both ears may be due to damage from a very loud noise, or taking certain medicines that can affect hearing.

What can you do for sudden hearing loss?

When to see a doctor If you have a sudden loss of hearing, particularly in one ear, seek immediate medical attention. Talk to your doctor if difficulty hearing is interfering with your daily life. Age-related hearing loss occurs gradually, so you may not notice it at first.

Does sudden hearing loss go away?

About 50 percent of people who experience SSNHL will spontaneously recover all or some of their hearing within one to two weeks. Still, it is vital to seek treatment as soon as possible, as the window to restore hearing closes about two to four weeks after the onset of the hearing loss.

How common is sudden hearing loss in one ear?

About one out of every 5,000 adults experiences sudden-onset hearing loss annually, though that number could be much higher due to the number of cases that go unreported and undiagnosed. Men and women are affected equally, and the average age of first occurrence is typically mid-40s to mid-50s.

Is sudden deafness a medical emergency?

Sudden Deafness. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), commonly known as sudden deafness, occurs as an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing—usually in one ear—either at once or over several days. It should be considered a medical emergency. Anyone who experiences SSHL should visit a doctor immediately.

What causes sudden deafness in only one ear?

For example, if sudden hearing loss occurs only in one ear, tumors on the auditory nerve should be ruled out as the cause. Autoimmune disease may cause SSHL in one or both ears. How is sudden deafness diagnosed?

What does it mean when you lose your hearing suddenly?

Sudden sensorineural (“inner ear”) hearing loss (SSHL), commonly known as sudden deafness, is an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing either all at once or over a few days. SSHL happens because there is something wrong with the sensory organs of the inner ear. Sudden deafness frequently affects only one ear.

When should you see a doctor for sudden hearing loss?

Sudden hearing loss should be considered a medical emergency. If suspected, you should visit a doctor immediately. Sadly, sometimes people with SSHL put off seeing a doctor because they believe the change in hearing is due to allergies, a sinus infection, a cold, or just a build up of ear wax plugging the ear canal.