BTS member V disclosed during a recent livestream that he has been receiving medical treatment for significant hearing loss in his right ear for more than two and a half years.
Speaking during a Weverse Live broadcast with fellow bandmate Jungkook on the 12th, V shared his condition publicly with fans for the first time. "If my left ear hears at 100%, my right side only hears at 30%," V said, explaining that he takes medication consistently and attends regular hospital visits.
V noted that his condition deteriorated during his military service. Having enlisted on Dec. 11, 2023, to serve in the Military Police Special Mission Unit before his discharge on June 10, 2025, V recalled that fellow recruits initially dismissed the symptom as a lack of "mental toughness"—a perception he admitted temporarily internalizing before seeking proper care.
While V did not reveal a specific diagnosis, medical professionals point out that sudden or significant unilateral hearing loss treated with medication typically aligns with conditions such as sudden sensorineural hearing loss or Meniere’s disease.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Medical Emergency
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss involves an abrupt drop in hearing, usually in one ear, occurring over a few hours to several days. It is often accompanied by a feeling of ear fullness, tinnitus, or dizziness.
While the exact etiology is frequently difficult to isolate, potential triggers include viral infections, vascular compromise, or autoimmune conditions. Standard medical intervention centers on corticosteroids—administered orally or via intratympanic injections directly through the eardrum—to suppress inflammation and localized swelling.
Timely treatment is critical. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) recommends administering steroid therapy within two weeks of symptom onset. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), a branch of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), classifies sudden hearing loss as a medical emergency requiring immediate evaluation.
Meniere’s Disease: Fluctuating Hearing and Vertigo
Another potential cause of unilateral hearing decline is Meniere’s disease, a chronic disorder of the inner ear. Key clinical indicators include fluctuating hearing loss, severe episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and a sensation of pressure in the affected ear.
In the early stages of Meniere’s disease, hearing levels may repeatedly drop and temporarily recover before persistent loss sets in over time. The condition is believed to stem from abnormal fluid volume or pressure regulation within the endolymphatic sac of the inner ear.
Therapy focuses on symptom management, often combining a low-sodium diet with diuretics, anti-vertigo medications, or intratympanic steroid injections. Diagnosis requires assessing a combination of symptoms, particularly the presence of recurrent vertigo alongside hearing loss.
Otolaryngologists emphasize that anyone experiencing a sudden reduction in hearing or a noticeable disparity between ears should seek an immediate clinical evaluation and audiometric testing. In cases of acute auditory decline, the speed of diagnosis and intervention directly influences the likelihood of permanent recovery.
