Sudden Hearing Changes? Here’s What to Do
An Article From The Team at Ear Studio
Sometimes, your sudden hearing changes. You might feel like your ear is blocked or underwater, or notice ringing or buzzing sounds. This can happen to anyone, even if you’ve never had hearing problems before.
One possible cause is something called sudden sensorineural hearing loss — a type of inner ear issue that’s considered a hearing emergency and needs quick attention.
Why Does This Happen?
Sudden hearing loss can happen because tiny blood vessels in your ear get swollen or don’t work properly. This can stop your ear from working the way it should. Sometimes the exact cause isn’t clear, even to specialists, but getting the right treatment as early as possible gives you the best chance of protecting and restoring your hearing.
What Should You Look For?
If your hearing changes quickly—in just a few hours or a day—it’s important to see someone right away. Don’t wait to see if it gets better on its own, because the sooner you get help, the better your chances of recovery.
For people who wear hearing aids, a sudden change in hearing is sometimes mistaken for a device fault. In reality, the hearing itself may have changed. This is why regular annual hearing assessments are so important—to monitor your hearing health, track any gradual changes, and ensure your devices are working as they should.
However, if you notice a sudden or unexpected shift in your hearing, it’s important not to wait. Sudden changes should be assessed promptly. If you’re concerned, call our team at Ear Studio. We can arrange a thorough check of both your hearing and your hearing aids to determine what’s going on and guide you on the next steps.
Why See a Hearing Care Professional?
Whilst your GP plays a vital role in your overall health and can examine your ears and provide medical guidance — hearing care professionals have the specialised equipment and training to perform detailed hearing assessments that help pinpoint the cause of sudden changes.
At Ear Studio, we use state-of-the-art technology and follow best practice audiological principles to ensure a thorough evaluation. As proud members of the Hearing Up Network, we’re committed to delivering hearing care that meets the highest international standards.
What Happens Next?
If one of our clinicians at Ear Studio identifies sudden hearing loss, they will prepare a detailed report outlining their findings and advise you on the next steps to take — acting swiftly to ensure you receive the appropriate care. While hearing care professionals cannot prescribe medication, your GP or ENT specialist can provide treatment or further investigations to determine the cause.
Sometimes, hearing changes are caused by factors like earwax buildup or an infection. In these cases, we can offer prompt treatment in our clinic, including safe and effective earwax removal using micro suction.
How to Get Help If your hearing changes suddenly, call Ear Studio on 02 9159 6122. You don’t need a referral—just book an appointment. We will take a detailed history, conduct a thorough hearing assessment, and work with your GP or ENT as needed.
You can also visit www.earstudio.com.au to book online. Our clinic is open Monday to Thursday, 9am–5pm, and Fridays, 9am–4pm, at Lawton House, Castle Hill (Suites 9-10 / 60 Cecil Ave).
We’re here to help you take good care of your hearing, every step of the way.
