Hearing loss can often be related to simple problems, such as:

• Wax buildup in the ear canal.
• Fluid buildup in the middle ear caused by a blocked eustachian tube (otitis media with effusion).

Sudden hearing loss that occurs with other nerve-related symptoms, such as facial droop or numbness, eye or vision problems (including double vision), or slurred speech, may indicate an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Such symptoms may indicate:

• Blockage of blood flow to the brain, such as a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
• Conditions that cause nerve inflammation, such as multiple sclerosis, or viral infection of the brain (encephalitis).