Wax or visible canal blockage
Sudden Hearing Loss Guidance
Sudden hearing loss should not be assumed to be wax. A sudden change in hearing, especially in one ear, can have several causes and may require urgent medical assessment.
Common symptoms and signs
Symptoms can overlap between different ear conditions. A careful clinical assessment helps ensure treatment is guided by your symptoms, clinical history and examination findings.
- Sudden hearing drop in one or both ears
- Blocked feeling with sudden hearing change
- New tinnitus with hearing change
- Hearing loss with dizziness or vertigo
- Hearing change after infection, trauma or pressure
Ear-related findings that may be assessed
Sudden hearing change needs prompt assessment. Ear examination may identify wax, blockage, fluid, infection or eardrum changes, but sudden inner-ear hearing loss can require urgent medical care.
Middle-ear infection or fluid
Eardrum changes
Inner-ear hearing loss
Recent noise exposure or trauma
Doctor-led assessment at Nottingham Ear Clinic
Nottingham Ear Clinic can examine the ear canal and eardrum to identify visible causes such as wax, infection or eardrum change. Sudden unexplained hearing loss may require urgent NHS or specialist assessment and should not be delayed.
When to seek urgent medical advice
Most ear symptoms can be assessed in a routine appointment, but some warning symptoms should not wait.
- Sudden hearing loss, especially in one ear
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain
- Facial weakness, confusion or severe headache
- Marked dizziness, collapse or severe balance disturbance
- Swelling, redness or tenderness spreading around the ear
- High temperature or feeling very unwell, particularly if you have diabetes or reduced immune function
If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or concerning, seek advice from your GP, NHS 111, an urgent treatment centre or 999 in an emergency.
Related ear care services
Private ENT Consultation
Doctor-led assessment for ear pain, discharge, tinnitus, dizziness and complex ear symptoms.
Microsuction Wax Removal
Safe, precise ear wax removal where wax is present and treatment is clinically appropriate.
Ear Infection Treatment
Assessment and treatment advice for painful, itchy, inflamed or discharging ears.
Private Hearing Care
Ear and hearing health checks with access to full hearing assessments from experienced audiologists.
Tinnitus Management
Assessment and support for ringing, buzzing, humming or whooshing sounds.
Hearing Protection
Custom hearing protection, ear impressions and advice for noise exposure.
Frequently asked questions
Helpful answers about sudden hearing loss and when to book an appointment.
Is sudden hearing loss urgent?
Yes. Sudden unexplained hearing loss should be treated as urgent, especially if it affects one ear or is associated with tinnitus or dizziness.
Could sudden hearing loss just be wax?
It can be wax, but it is not safe to assume. Examination is needed to check for visible causes and guide next steps.
Can Nottingham Ear Clinic arrange MRI IAMS if needed?
Where clinically appropriate, our doctors can help patients access fast MRI internal auditory meatus imaging, with consultant radiologist reporting and doctor review.
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