Suddenly losing your hearing
Sudden hearing loss can happen at any age. While your hearing could return by itself, many people need treatment.

What you’ll find on this page
- The signs of sudden hearing loss.
- One woman's story about her sudden hearing loss.
- How to take the next steps to better hearing.
What is sudden hearing loss?
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What are the signs of sudden hearing loss? 1
Waking up in the morning unable to hear.
Unable to hear on the phone.
A loud "pop" just before hearing suddenly disappears.
Dizziness and ringing in the ears.
Sudden hearing loss may have a major impact on your life — as
"A job I absolutely loved and that came easy to me for the last 30 years suddenly became difficult and exhausting."
- Angie M, Cochlear™ Baha® recipient, USA
What should I do if I suddenly lose my hearing?
Don't ignore it and hope your hearing comes back naturally. See a doctor so they can try to determine its cause and rule out any serious illnesses such as stroke or bacterial infection. They may be able to treat the underlying cause with medication.
How can you treat sudden hearing loss?
About half of all people who suffer sudden hearing loss find that some or all of their hearing comes back spontaneously, usually within one to two weeks.1
If your hearing fails to return, you should get your hearing tested by a hearing health professional who specialises in all types of hearing solutions, including hearing implants. They can diagnose and recommend the best treatment for you.
Find a hearing implant specialist near you
There are no clinics close to you.
You can search for clinics in a different location, or contact Cochlear to understand what the next steps for you would be.