Hearing loss on one side can occur due to wax or fluid buildup or an underlying condition such as labyrinthitis, Meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma, and more.

It is also known as unilateral hearing loss or unilateral deafness. It may be described as deafness in one ear or on one side. You should still be able to hear clearly with your other ear.

People with hearing loss on one side may have problems understanding speech in crowded environments, locating the source of a sound, or tuning out background noise.

You should always contact your doctor if you experience any type of hearing loss. Your doctor will be able to provide treatment options and may refer you to a specialist.

Sudden hearing loss on one side or both is a medical emergency and needs immediate medical attention.

Depending on the cause of your hearing loss, your doctor might recommend surgery, or a hearing aid. In some cases, hearing will improve by addressing the underlying cause.

Read on to learn more about what can cause hearing loss on one side, how doctors diagnose the cause, and what treatment options can help.

There are different types of hearing loss based on the part of the ear where the damage has occurred. These include:

  • Conductive unilateral hearing loss: This happens when sound cannot reach the inner ear. It can be temporary, such as in cases of glue ear, or it can be permanent.
  • Sensorineural unilateral hearing loss: This happens when there is a fault in the inner ear. It is usually permanent.
  • Mixed unilateral hearing loss: This is when both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss are present.

As the type and cause of hearing loss can differ, hearing loss on one side may be different for each person. However, in general, if you have unilateral hearing loss you may experience difficulties with:

  • hearing sounds on the side of the ear with the hearing loss
  • listening to and understanding conversations in a noisy environment
  • identifying the source or distance of the sound
  • concentrating on sounds, particularly in noisy environments

Hearing loss on one side can affect both adults and children. Around 1 in every 1,000 children are born with unilateral hearing loss. It affects around 3% of children of school age.

There are many possible causes for hearing loss on one side. Ear and head conditions that can cause unilateral hearing loss include:

  • injury to the ear or head
  • exposure to loud noises
  • buildup of wax or blockage in the ear
  • ear infection
  • tumors such as acoustic neuromas

Some causes are reversible, such as wax buildup in the ear canal or ear infections with fluid buildup.

Medical conditions

In addition to head or ear injuries or the presence of a foreign body in the ear, the following medical conditions are examples of causes of hearing loss on one side:

  • Acoustic neuroma: Acoustic neuroma is a type of tumor that presses on the nerve that affects hearing.
  • Eardrum rupture: Eardrum rupture is a small hole or tear in the eardrum.
  • Labyrinthitis: Labyrinthitis is a disorder that causes the inner ear apparatus to become swollen and irritated.
  • Meniere’s disease: Meniere’s disease is a disorder that affects the inner ear.
  • Otitis media with effusion: Otitis media with effusion, or glue ear, causes thick or sticky fluid behind the eardrum
  • Infection: Infections such as meningitis or measles can cause unilateral hearing loss.
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI): TBI is a severe injury to the brain that can happen after a blow or other injury to the head.

Medication

Hearing loss in one ear may also be the result of prescription medications, such as:

  • chemotherapy drugs
  • diuretics
  • salicylate pain relief medication, such as aspirin
  • antibiotics such as gentamicin

It’s important to continue taking your medication until your doctor advises otherwise. You should let your doctor know if you experience hearing loss.

It’s important to make an appointment with your doctor any time you experience hearing loss in one or both ears.

During your visit, your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history and conduct a physical examination of your ears, nose, and throat.

Your doctor may also order a hearing test. During this test, your doctor or a specialist known as an audiologist will measure how you respond to a range of sounds and tones at various volume levels. These tests can help your doctor determine the part of the ear that is affected, which can provide clues as to the underlying cause of the hearing loss.

You may also require additional tests to determine the underlying cause. Your doctor can advise on what tests they order and answer any questions you may have.

Treatment options for hearing loss will depend on the cause of your condition. It may involve directly treating the underlying cause.

In some cases, hearing loss will be irreversible. Your doctor may recommend a hearing aid to help improve your hearing if there is no other treatment for your hearing loss.

Other treatment options may include:

  • cochlear implants
  • over-the-counter products to remove earwax buildup
  • surgery to repair the ear or remove a tumor, though this may not restore hearing
  • ear tubes for glue ear
  • low salt diet and endolymphatic sac decompression surgery for Meniere’s disease

Possible causes of unilateral hearing loss, or loss of hearing on one side of the ear, include a buildup of wax or fluid, an ear infection, or an injury to the head or ear.

Acoustic neuroma, Meniere’s disease, labyrinthitis, and otitis media with effusion are examples of medical conditions that can lead to hearing loss on one side.

Treatment for one-sided hearing loss will depend on the underlying cause. Your doctor may recommend hearing aids for permanent hearing loss.

It’s important to contact your doctor if you experience changes in your hearing. Seek immediate medical help if your ability to hear suddenly goes away.