PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Health & medical scares sudden hearing loss one ear • hearing dropped overnight • muffled hearing suddenly • sudden deafness one ear • blocked ear but sudden • hearing loss after cold • hearing loss after flight • ear fullness sudden • sudden tinnitus one ear • sudden vertigo with hearing • hearing loss after loud noise • hearing loss after shower • earwax or sudden hearing loss • one ear sounds distant • hearing change within 3 days • sudden hearing loss no pain • hearing loss with dizziness • hearing loss with headache

What to do if…
you suddenly lose hearing in one ear or hearing drops sharply

Short answer

Treat sudden one-sided hearing loss as urgent. If it came on suddenly (over 3 days or less), seek help today via NHS 111 or an urgent GP appointment, and aim for urgent specialist assessment (often within 24 hours).

Do not do these things

  • Do not “wait a few days to see if it clears” if the drop was sudden or over 3 days or less.
  • Do not put objects (cotton buds, keys, hairpins) in your ear to “clear it”.
  • Do not try forceful ear-popping, aggressive Valsalva, or repeated hard blowing if it hurts or makes symptoms worse.
  • Do not flush/irrigate your ear at home unless a clinician has specifically advised it for you (especially if you have pain, discharge, a perforation history, grommets, or recent infection).
  • Do not start leftover antibiotics or steroid tablets on your own.
  • Do not drive yourself if you have severe vertigo, new weakness/numbness, confusion, or visual/speech changes.

What to do now

  1. Check for emergency red flags (act immediately if present). Call 999 if you also have any stroke-like signs (face drooping, arm weakness, speech problems), sudden severe headache, new confusion, collapse, or chest pain. Go to A&E urgently if the hearing loss followed a head injury, there is blood/fluid from the ear, or you cannot safely stand/walk because of severe continuous dizziness.
  2. Get urgent NHS assessment today and use clear wording. Contact NHS 111 (online or phone) or request an urgent GP appointment and say: “Sudden hearing loss in one ear started on [date/time].” If it developed over 3 days or less, ask to be treated as sudden onset hearing loss and for urgent ENT assessment/referral (often immediate/within 24 hours if it started recently).
  3. Be ready for a quick check for obvious “conductive” causes. A clinician may look for wax, middle-ear fluid, or infection. If they can’t clearly explain it as an outer/middle-ear problem, it should be treated as potentially time-sensitive and escalated.
  4. Write down a 60-second timeline before you call. Note: exact start time, whether it was instant or over hours, any ear pain/discharge, recent cold/flu, recent flight/diving, loud noise exposure, new tinnitus, vertigo, and any new neurological symptoms. This helps triage.
  5. Do a safe reality check (no tools in your ear). Remove earbuds/hearing aids, check your phone audio/balance settings, and ask someone to speak at normal volume. If you use a hearing aid, replace the battery/charge it and check wax guards per device instructions (no probing your ear canal).
  6. Protect the ear and your balance until you’re assessed. Avoid loud noise, keep volume low in headphones, and move slowly if dizzy. If you feel unsteady, sit or lie down and ask someone to stay with you or help you get to care safely.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether it’s “wax”, “infection”, “pressure”, or “nerve-related.” A clinician needs to examine the ear and often arrange a hearing test.
  • You do not need to research treatments or buy devices today.
  • You can postpone non-urgent tasks (work messages, driving, errands) until you’ve been assessed.

Important reassurance

Sudden one-sided hearing changes are frightening and can feel disorienting. Many causes are treatable—what matters most right now is being assessed quickly so time-sensitive options aren’t missed.

Scope note

This guide covers first steps for the first hours/day. Follow-up tests (hearing test, ENT review, scans) and longer-term decisions come later.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If your hearing loss was sudden, worsened rapidly, or comes with neurological symptoms, severe dizziness, injury, or discharge, seek urgent medical care immediately.

Additional Resources
Support us