Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden hearing loss is an unexplained, rapid loss of hearing either all at once or over a few days.  It should be considered a medical emergency, because once the cells of hearing have died, the loss is irreversible. A person who experiences a sudden hearing loss should visit a visit a doctor as soon as possible and have a hearing test within 24 hours. Kapiti Hearing will do their best to fit you in for a hearing test the same day

There may be associated tinnitus and dizziness, but the primary symptom is being unable to hear or feel that hearing is muffled on one side. It is diagnosed via an audiogram.

The most common reason for sudden loss is wax, however other causes can include infection (often viral), trauma (barotrauma or head injury), circulatory diseases, auto-immune disease, various medications that might have been taken, neurological conditions and the possibility of abnormal tissue growth.

There is treatment for other causes of sudden hearing loss however it is time sensitive and is most effective if started with the first few days of onset. Treatment is typically not started until audiometric results are obtained to confirm the type of hearing loss that has occurred.