Sudden deafness, also called idiopathic deafness, is an unexplained sensorineural deafness that occurs suddenly within a few hours to 3 days, which may be accompanied by tinnitus and vertigo without other cerebral neurological symptoms and signs. At present, the etiology and pathogenesis of sudden deafness are not exactly explained, but there may be several causes: viral infection, insufficient blood supply to the inner ear, autoimmune diseases, and strain and mental factors. In recent years, there is an increasing trend of sudden deafness, and the number of young patients is increasing, which may be related to the high pressure of work and study, high nervous tension, the use of electronic devices, and little outdoor exercise. Patients are mostly unilaterally deaf, but bilaterally is rare, and there is no significant gender difference in the onset. Sudden deafness is an acute condition, and if left untreated, hearing may not improve and should be taken seriously enough. Some patients are not aware of the disease and do not actively treat it, which delays the best time for treatment and leads to permanent hearing damage. According to clinical observation, most patients who receive treatment within 2 weeks of onset of the disease can be cured, while patients who have been treated for more than 1 month have poor results, so early treatment according to the patient’s general condition and in accordance with the treatment guidelines is very important for hearing recovery. Since the cause of the disease is unknown, treatment is mostly empirical, including general therapy and medication, and includes 3 principles: restoring microcirculation, protecting hearing cells, and promoting inner ear cell repair. In addition, some studies suggest that combining conventional treatment with evidence-based Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment can achieve good results.