Sudden sensorineural hearing loss — a drop over 72 hours or less — is often misdiagnosed as wax or a middle ear effusion. A tuning fork test at the bedside helps separate conductive from sensorineural loss.
Early recognition matters because steroid treatment is time-sensitive, and some cases have serious underlying causes such as vestibular schwannoma.
- Perform Weber and Rinne tests in anyone with sudden one-sided hearing loss
- Arrange urgent audiometry the same day or as soon as possible
- Discuss steroid treatment promptly with ENT if sensorineural loss is confirmed
- Plan MRI of the internal auditory meatus for unexplained asymmetric loss
Why it matters
Sudden sensorineural loss mistaken for wax loses the window for treatment.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for ent & head and neck surgery, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free