Sudden Hearing Loss - IMPORTANT UPDATE
There are many causes of sudden hearing loss, including simple problems like blockage with wax.
However sudden sensory-neural hearing loss, ‘SSNHL’ (not caused by blockage of the ear canal or middle ear infection) requires immediate action. Every year around 25 people per 100,000 develop sudden sensory hearing loss, usually in one ear.
Recent research published in 2024 from UCH in London has confirmed that recovery of hearing is much more likely in those given steroids early – ideally within 7 days of onset. Delay in treatment increases the chance that the hearing won’t recover.
The diagnosis of this type of hearing loss may be uncertain if wax is present and the eardrum cannot be seen, and ideally a hearing test should be performed with any wax cleared. Other rare causes of this include stroke, and benign hearing nerve tumours.
Please phone the contact number 0800 0848425 given if you would like assessment and possible treatment for this.
Not all GPs are aware yet of the importance of prompt assessment, diagnosis and treatment with steroids. Currently waiting times in the NHS can make it very difficult to get a sufficiently early appointment, assessment and treatment.