Sometimes, you may wake up and suddenly realise that you cannot hear clearly in one ear. Sounds may be noticeably quieter than in the other ear, and the affected ear may feel blocked. Many people assume that this is simply due to a build-up of earwax.
However, if your hearing suddenly deteriorates over a short period, particularly in one ear, it may be a sign of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
In addition to sudden hearing loss, some people may also experience tinnitus, a feeling of fullness in the ear or dizziness. The underlying problem may not be temporary, so it is important not to rely on symptoms alone or assume that it will resolve by itself. If sudden hearing loss is accompanied by tinnitus or dizziness, arrange an assessment with an ENT specialist as soon as possible.
