Q One ear suddenly cannot hear. Can I just wait, or should I go to the hospital right away?
A You must get emergency ENT care immediately. For sudden hearing loss, the first 72 hours are the golden window, and the chance of recovery drops sharply as time passes. Never put it off by deciding to watch it for a few days.
Detailed Answer
Sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency. High-dose steroids must be given within 72 hours of onset for the best chance of recovery. Once this window passes, the risk of permanent hearing loss rises substantially. If, besides the sudden hearing loss, there is facial paralysis, a severe headache, double vision, or one-sided paralysis, a stroke is possible, so go to the emergency room (call 119) immediately.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Dongjedang believes Korean medicine has a role to play in sudden hearing loss, but that role comes strictly after emergency care. When hearing suddenly drops, we clearly advise visiting an ENT specialist or the emergency room before the Korean medicine clinic. The correct order is to combine Korean medicine for recovery support after steroid care has been given within the golden window.
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If I receive treatment diligently for sudden hearing loss, can I hear exactly as before?
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