Sudden hearing loss can be a scary thing. You go to bed, all is fine, but the next morning you wake up and can’t hear out of one side. So, what do you do first? Call your doctor, wait, panic…?

If this happens to you, follow these 3 steps

#1 GO TO THE ER. Don’t wait! We can’t stress this enough. Depending on what has caused the sudden hearing loss (viral infections, blood clots, etc.), there is medication that can reverse it, but only if taken within a small window of time.

*The ears and their surrounding structures are very delicate, so even small changes in the body can have a large effect. When it comes to your hearing, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.

#2 After going to the hospital, book an appointment to see your family health practitioner as a follow-up. They may recommend you see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist) if there are any residual effects.

#3 Have your hearing tested. It’s helpful to know if your hearing levels have changed, whether it be temporary or permanent. [This is why having a baseline test can be very helpful.] If it has changed, the practitioner can make a recommendation to keep you hearing and understanding conversation with ease; such as communication strategies or hearing aids.

What Causes Sudden Hearing Loss

Well, it can be a few things…

It simply could be wax that has finally blocked your ear. In this case, it’s very easy to take it out and your hearing should be restored. What we are concerned about if it is caused by a virus, injury (like whiplash), or a possible blood clot. These are the causes that need to be taken care of immediately to ensure your hearing is not permanently effected. 

Sudden hearing loss is not something we think about very often, but it’s good to know how to handle if it does. For more information on the causes and treatment of sudden hearing loss, check out this blog.