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Has your hearing suddenly dropped, or do you feel dizzy?

We treat sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness and chronic otitis externa.

The back of the head and an ear of a person with their hair tied up, in front of a bright wall. The face is turned away.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Do you have any of these symptoms?

  • Sudden loss You suddenly cannot hear well in one ear

  • Ear fullness Your ear feels blocked and sounds seem far away

  • On waking You wake up and the hearing in one ear is not as usual

  • Tinnitus, dizziness You also have tinnitus or dizziness

If even one of these applies to you, consider seeing a doctor.

Do not wait for it to recover on its own. Try to start treatment within 2 weeks.

Tests and treatment How we provide care

  1. Consultation

    Treatment decided together

    The treatment plan is decided together with the medical team, based on your test results and overall health.

  2. Treatment

    Anti-inflammatory treatment

    Treatment starts with high-dose steroids, which are then gradually reduced.

  3. Treatment

    Anti-inflammatory treatment through the eardrum

    If needed, steroid injections into the middle ear through the eardrum are given as well.

  4. Consultation

    About hyperbaric oxygen therapy

    Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of the treatment options; we will let you know during your visit whether it is suitable for you.

Our equipment

  • Hearing test device AD629 equipment photo

    Pure-tone and speech audiometry

    Hearing test device AD629

    Interacoustics

    Assesses your hearing by checking your responses to sounds and speech at various pitches and volumes. The results are judged together with the examination findings.

  • Hearing test device Titan equipment photo

    Otoacoustic emissions test (OAE)

    Hearing test device Titan

    A test that measures how the cochlea responds to sound, used as a reference in assessing inner ear function.

Care and outlook

  • The spontaneous recovery rate is reported to be about 47–68%. Of every 3 people, 1 regains normal hearing, 1 is left with hearing loss of about 40–60 dB, and 1 is left with permanent hearing loss; outcomes vary greatly from person to person.

Single bed, bedside table and wardrobe in a Sleep Center test room

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Detailed ear care FAQ

Common questions about sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness and chronic otitis externa.

  • How soon should sudden sensorineural hearing loss be treated?
    For sudden sensorineural hearing loss, starting treatment as soon as possible after it begins, generally within 2 weeks, helps the outlook. How well hearing recovers can depend on when treatment starts, so please see a doctor promptly if you suddenly cannot hear in one ear or a blocked feeling continues.
  • Can sudden sensorineural hearing loss recover on its own?
    Studies differ, but the spontaneous recovery rate is reported to be about 47–68%. However, outcomes vary greatly from person to person: of every 3 people, 1 regains normal hearing, 1 is left with hearing loss of about 40–60 dB, and 1 is left with permanent hearing loss. Early treatment can affect the outlook, so it is safer to see a doctor than to wait for it to recover on its own.
  • What tests are done for tinnitus?
    To find the cause of tinnitus, we start with basic tests such as a hearing test, an eardrum test and an examination with an otoscope, and recommend further tests if needed. Tinnitus is not just noise; it can be a sign linked to your hearing, inner ear or overall health, so the cause needs to be identified accurately.
  • Is dizziness related to ENT?
    Much dizziness comes from problems in the inner ear (the vestibular system), so ENT care is often needed. For spinning dizziness (vertigo), dizziness when you change position and dizziness that comes with ear symptoms, we first look for ENT causes. If a neurological cause is suspected, we will arrange a consultation with neurology.
  • How is chronic otitis externa treated?
    If water does not drain easily from your ear, or itching and discharge keep coming back, we combine cleaning of the ear canal with medication. Cleaning hard with a cotton swab can irritate the ear and make symptoms worse, so it is better to receive proper care in the exam room.
  • What does a blocked feeling in the ear mean?
    A blocked ear with sounds seeming far away can have various causes, such as Eustachian tube dysfunction, otitis media or sudden sensorineural hearing loss. If it appears temporarily after a flight, a fast elevator ride or a cold, it may get better, but if it continues or comes with reduced hearing, you should see a doctor.
  • How is a hearing test done?
    The basic test is pure-tone audiometry: in a soundproof room, you hear sounds at different frequencies through headphones and give a signal when you hear them. If needed, speech audiometry, tympanometry and other tests may be added, and all of them are non-invasive.

If your symptoms started suddenly, have them checked by a doctor first.

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