MSD Manual

Please confirm that you are not located inside the Russian Federation

honeypot link

Sudden Hearing Loss

By

The Manual's Editorial Staff

Reviewed/Revised Dec 2022
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
Get the full details

What is sudden hearing loss?

See a doctor right away if you have sudden hearing loss.

What causes sudden hearing loss?

Most often, doctors can't find a cause for sudden hearing loss.

When there is a cause, it's usually something obvious like:

What will happen at my doctor visit?

How do doctors treat sudden hearing loss?

Doctors treat any health problem that's causing your hearing loss. If they can't tell what's causing your hearing loss, they may try giving you:

  • Corticosteroids by mouth or as a shot in your ear

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz! 
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP