Have you lost your hearing suddenly?

Hearing loss usually happens gradually, so you may not notice it at first.

If you suddenly lose hearing in one or both ears, contact NHS 111 or your GP as soon as possible.

The cause of the change might not be serious, but sudden hearing loss can be a medical emergency. If this is the case, there is a very short window of time for treatment to be successful (usually 24 to 72 hours).