Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitic disorder predominantly affecting medium to large sized arteries. It is the most common systemic arteritis in European and American populations, with a prevalence of 0.2% in those aged over 50 years. 1 Aging is the biggest risk factor with individuals >50 years old predominantly affected, with peak incidence at age 70-80 years. 2 Other risk factors include Scandinavian ethnicity, female gender, family history and polymyalgia rheumatica. 3 The classic symptoms of presentation include acute to subacute onset of headache, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness and constitutional symptoms. 4 Serious complications of visual loss and extra-cranial arterial manifestations such as aortic aneurysms can also occur. 4,5 Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) represents an atypical presentation of GCA, with only a few documented case reports. This case illustrates a debilitating presentation of GCA and highlights GCA as an important differential in the consideration of SNHL.