Sudden deafness

Overview

Sudden deafness is an unexplained sudden loss of hearing. Other symptoms such as a feeling of ear fullness, tinnitus or dizziness can also occur. Sudden deafness isn't an emergency, but a doctor should be consulted reasonably quickly.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

• Sudden loss of hearing

Spontaneous recovery of hearing frequently occurs, but no prognosis can be made as to when and to what extent hearing will improve.

Other symptoms

• Feeling of ear fullness (like cotton wool in the ear)
• Noise in the ears (tinnitus), such as whistling, ringing, buzzing, roaring, hissing or whizzing
• No pain
• Dizziness

Causes and treatment

Causes

• The exact cause is unknown. Suspicions include:
  • Impaired circulation in the inner ear
  • Functional impairment of the hearing organ in the inner ear
  • Inflammation of the inner ear

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Ear examination (otoscopy)
• Hearing test (audiometry)
• Blood test (if infection is suspected)
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)

Possible therapies

• Cortisone tablets

When to see a doctor?

• Sudden loss of hearing