Sudden Hearing Loss in One Ear? The Golden Treatment Window is Only 72 Hours!

Please note: this is likely an otologic emergency that requires immediate hospital attention—sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), commonly known as "sudden deafness."

And your time is limited to just 72 hours!

01
Why is Sudden Deafness an "Emergency"?

Inside our inner ear, there are over 15,000 delicate hair cells responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals—the foundation of our ability to hear. These cells rely on ample blood flow and oxygen to function properly. When the microvessels supplying the inner ear become blocked or dysfunctional due to reasons such as vascular spasms, thrombosis, hemorrhage, or inflammation, these hair cells "suffocate" from ischemia and hypoxia, eventually dying.
The critical point is that these auditory hair cells are nerve cells—once dead, they cannot regenerate.

The urgency of treating sudden deafness lies in the need to act quickly before these cells completely die off. Through treatment, we aim to rapidly improve blood circulation in the inner ear, reduce inflammation, alleviate edema, and restore oxygen to the hair cells, thereby salvaging hearing as much as possible.
This process has a strict golden time window—within 72 hours after onset, especially the first 24 to 48 hours. This is the decisive period for the most effective treatment. Acting within this window with standardized treatment offers the greatest hope for hearing recovery. Once missed, extensive hair cell death may lead to permanent hearing loss, and even the most advanced treatments will be futile.

Timely intervention protects precious hearing. Here are two real recovery stories:

Case 1: A 45-year-old woman
Chief complaint:
Sudden hearing loss in the left ear for 3 days (with echo)
Assessment:
Moderate low-frequency hearing loss in the left ear, mild sudden deafness
Treatment:
One postauricular injection combined with oral medication for one week
Outcome:
Hearing test returned to normal

Case 2: A 40-year-old man
Chief complaint:
Tinnitus in the left ear for 10 days, sudden deafness in the right ear for 8 days, accompanied by tinnitus
Assessment:
Severe mid-frequency hearing loss in the right ear
Treatment:
Intravenous injections for 7 days, combined with oral medication and rehabilitation exercises
Outcome:
Significant improvement in right ear hearing level after one month of treatment

02
Who is the "Target" of Sudden Deafness?

The terrifying aspect of sudden deafness is that it often appears "without a trace," and its exact pathogenesis remains unclear. However, it is not entirely without clues.
Modern medicine suggests it may be closely related to the following factors:

Viral infections: After illnesses like colds or flu, viruses may invade the inner ear nerves. Additionally, some medications contain toxins that can damage the auditory nerve—those with pre-existing ear conditions must carefully read drug labels.
Circulatory disorders: Staying up late, fatigue, excessive mental stress, and intense emotional fluctuations can cause spasms and contractions of the inner ear microvessels, leading to ischemia.
Autoimmune diseases: The immune system mistakenly attacks the inner ear structures.
Environmental and lifestyle factors: Long-term exposure to noisy environments, poor lifestyle habits (e.g., smoking, excessive alcohol consumption).
Sudden deafness particularly targets young and middle-aged individuals with high work pressure, frequent late nights, and irregular lifestyles. In many cases, a sudden episode can be seen as a stern warning from the body about long-term health.

03
Your First Response to Sudden Deafness Determines the Outcome

The typical presentation of sudden deafness is a sudden, unexplained hearing loss within 72 hours, usually in one ear. Additionally, it may be accompanied by tinnitus, vertigo or dizziness, a feeling of ear fullness, hyperacusis, or changes in sound perception.
However, not all symptoms appear simultaneously. Even if it’s just sudden ear fullness or worsening tinnitus, it should immediately raise alarm!

If you suspect sudden deafness, take action immediately:

Seek medical attention immediately—every second counts!
Go directly to the ENT department of a medical institution. Do not hesitate, do not wait and see, and do not try to clean your ears or take over-the-counter medications.

Describe your condition accurately
Clearly tell the doctor—"which ear," "when it started," "how severe the hearing loss is," and "whether there is tinnitus/vertigo." The doctor will perform tests like pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry to quickly confirm the diagnosis.

Follow medical advice and undergo standardized treatment
Treatment for sudden deafness is usually comprehensive, potentially including oral, intravenous, or even intratympanic steroid injections. Trust your doctor and strictly follow the prescribed treatment plan.

The fourth Sunday of September every year is International Deafness Awareness Day, which aims not only to promote social understanding and inclusion of the hearing impaired but also to raise awareness about hearing loss.

Hearing is a precious gift that requires conscious effort to protect. We can:

Manage stress, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid chronic sleep deprivation and excessive fatigue;
Maintain a balanced diet, exercise moderately, and lead a regular, healthy life;
Avoid noise exposure, reduce headphone usage time and volume;
Stabilize emotions, avoid intense emotional fluctuations;
Stay vigilant about "minor illnesses," treat colds promptly, and prevent viral infections.

Most importantly, remember: when hearing sends a distress signal, the speed of your action determines the future of your sound perception.
Do not ignore, do not wait, do not self-diagnose. Seeking professional medical help at the first sign is the most important responsibility for your future quality of life.

Renshu ENT is with you, cherishing the ability to listen and safeguarding your beautiful connection to the world.