Sudden Hearing Loss: Why You Should Call Your GP Immediately

Somerset Hearing
Sep 16
2 min read

Waking up to find your ear feels blocked or muffled can be unsettling. Many people assume it’s just a build-up of earwax, congestion from a cold, or a bit of fluid behind the eardrum. But sometimes, it can be something far more urgent — a condition called sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL).

This is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment. Acting quickly could make the difference between recovering your hearing or living with permanent loss.

What is Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is when hearing drops rapidly — usually in one ear — over the course of a few hours to three days. Unlike gradual, age-related hearing loss, this happens suddenly and without warning.

It’s often confused with a blocked ear, but the underlying cause is very different. SSHL occurs when there is a problem in the inner ear or auditory nerve, not the outer ear canal.

Signs to Watch Out For

You should suspect sudden hearing loss if you notice:

A sudden drop in hearing in one ear
A blocked or full sensation that doesn’t clear
Distorted or muffled sounds
Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
Dizziness or balance problems alongside the hearing loss

If these symptoms appear, do not wait and see if it gets better.

Why Urgent Attention Matters

According to NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidelines, anyone with sudden sensorineural hearing loss should be referred to ENT urgently.

That’s because steroid treatment — either tablets or direct injections into the middle ear — can help restore hearing if given quickly. The best results are seen when treatment begins within the first two weeks, ideally within the first few days.

Delaying could mean the hearing loss becomes permanent.

What You Should Do

Call your GP immediately if you experience sudden hearing loss.
If it’s out of hours, call NHS 111 or go to A&E.
Do not assume it’s earwax or wait for it to clear by itself.
A hearing test and ear examination can help rule out other causes, but medical treatment must not be delayed.

At Somerset Hearing, we can carry out urgent otoscopy and hearing checks to confirm whether earwax is present. If not, we will support you in contacting your GP straight away for the right referral and treatment.