What is a common cause of sudden onset hearing loss?

Sudden onset hearing loss can occur due to various causes, with viral infections or acoustic neuroma being particularly significant. Viral infections, such as those caused by the herpes virus, can lead to inflammation and damage to structures within the inner ear, resulting in abrupt hearing loss. Acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve, can also manifest as sudden hearing loss by exerting pressure on the auditory nerve, disrupting its function.

While earwax blockage and ototoxic medications can lead to hearing loss, they typically do not present as sudden; earwax blockage often results in gradual hearing impairment, and the effects of ototoxic medications may develop over time. Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is a gradual process associated with the aging of the auditory system, rather than a sudden event. Therefore, the presence of a viral infection or an acoustic neuroma stands out as a common cause for the acute onset of hearing loss.