Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a frightening experience for the patient. The patient's worse fears concern tumors or stroke. Although the physician is often frustrated by a symptom whose cause at times is not apparent, every effort should be made to identify the causes of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and possible predisposing causes of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Therapy includes efforts to treat known causes either medically or surgically, to keep the patient at reduced physical activity, and depending upon the treating physician's own preference, attempts to favorably alter the ultimate prognosis through medical manipulation.