Courtesy HEARING SERVICES OF MCKINNEY
Imagine waking up one morning and realizing the world sounds quieter—on one side. There’s no pain, no clear cause. Just a strange silence in one ear. You might assume it’s earwax or a sinus issue. You might wait for it to pass.
But that wait could cost you your hearing.
Every year, thousands of adults experience a condition called sudden sensorineural hearing loss, or SSNHL. It’s often mistaken for something minor, yet it should be treated as a medical emergency. When it comes to preserving your hearing, time matters.
SSNHL is defined as a rapid, unexplained loss of hearing—usually in one ear—that occurs over a span of a few hours up to three days. In many cases, the first sign is subtle: sounds feel muted on one side, or the phone suddenly sounds muffled in one ear. Some people notice it when they wake up. Others hear a sudden “pop” followed by a sensation of fullness, ringing, or even dizziness. It can be disorienting. And because there’s often no pain, it’s easy to brush it off as minor.
In fact, one of the most common assumptions is that the ear is simply blocked with wax. That leads many people to delay seeking care. But unlike common blockages, SSNHL isn’t something that clears up on its own. It requires swift medical attention—ideally within the first two weeks—for the best chance of recovery.
Doctors still don’t fully understand what causes SSNHL in many cases. In fact, a specific reason isn’t identified in about 90 percent of patients. When a cause is found, it’s often linked to viral infections, autoimmune conditions, or infections within the inner ear. However, many experts believe SSNHL is often overlooked when there’s no obvious explanation.
What’s clear, though, is that early treatment can make a huge difference. The most common therapy involves corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation and swelling in the inner ear or auditory nerve. These medications can be taken orally or injected directly into the ear. When given promptly, they may improve the odds of restoring at least part of the hearing. Without treatment, the likelihood of permanent hearing loss may increase.
SSNHL typically affects just one ear, and it impacts both men and women equally. While it can happen at almost any age, the most common time for first occurrence tends to be ages mid-40s to mid-60s. And while SSNHL is relatively rare—affecting about one in every 5,000 adults annually—many experts believe it’s underreported due to misdiagnosis or delayed recognition.
The key challenge is that SSNHL doesn’t look like a typical medical emergency. There’s no bleeding, no trauma, and no visible symptoms. As a result, many people assume it’s safe to wait it out. But when it comes to your hearing, time really is of the essence.
If you experience sudden hearing loss, the first step is to contact a hearing professional or ENT specialist right away. A simple hearing test can determine whether the loss is due to a blockage (conductive hearing loss) or nerve damage (sensorineural). From there, your doctor can recommend a treatment plan. In some cases, additional tests may be done to rule out underlying conditions, such as autoimmune disorders or tumors pressing on the auditory nerve (though these are rare).
Even with treatment, there is no guarantee for many patients who receive delayed care. Hearing loss can be a significant return of hearing. Others may benefit from hearing aids or sound therapy or rehabilitation therapy. Early diagnosis and timely treatment provides the best possible outcome. Prompt steroid intervention may also help prevent some of the long-term complications, such as dizziness, tinnitus, and ongoing ear pressure. Treatments may vary depending on the underlying cause, but all share different treatment plans.
What’s clear is that sudden hearing loss—especially when it happens overnight—can be alarming and deeply impact one’s quality of life. But acting fast—within the first days, ideally—can make all the difference.
Don’t wait. Don’t second guess. Seek medical help as soon as you notice any change in your hearing.
Your hearing may depend on it.
