If your hearing dropped in one ear over hours or days, do not use this website. Seek medical care today.
Almost everything on this site is about taking your time, comparing offices and asking careful questions. This page is the exception. Sudden hearing loss in one ear is treated by clinicians as a time-sensitive medical matter, and the right response is same-day medical care rather than a referral form and a callback.
It usually affects one ear. People often notice it on waking, or when they put a phone to that ear and there is nothing there. It can come with a feeling of fullness, with tinnitus that suddenly appeared on that side, or with dizziness. It can be mistaken for wax or for a lingering cold, which is part of why it gets waited out.
Contact a physician the same day, or use urgent care or an emergency department if you cannot be seen. Say clearly that your hearing dropped in one ear and when it started. Do not wait for a routine hearing test appointment, do not wait to see whether it clears over the weekend, and do not wait for us to match you with anyone.
Hearing loss after a head injury. Ear pain, drainage or bleeding. Sudden dizziness or a spinning sensation. Hearing loss on one side only. Tinnitus that pulses in time with your heartbeat. Any of these belong in front of a doctor before they belong in a conversation about hearing aids.
We are a referral service, and a referral form has a queue. For anything routine that is fine. For a sudden change in hearing, the queue is the problem, so we would rather point you away from this site than have you politely wait your turn.
Tell us what you have noticed and we will match you with a hearing care practice near you.
Get Matched With a PracticeA rough description is plenty — we will follow up to match you with a practice and set a time.