Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of cerebral infarction with a prodromal symptom of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and to deepen understanding of the disease and reduce misdiagnosis.Methods Two cerebral infarction patients with a prodromal symptom of sudden sensorineural hearing loss who were admitted to our hospital in 2014 were enrolled as subjects. The two patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), high-resolution MRI, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), carotid ultrasound, and transcranial Doppler examination. The clinical characteristics were summarized based on the clinical data and literature review.Results The prodromal symptoms of the two patients were sudden sensorineural hearing loss and dizziness. DSA showed stenosis in the proximal basilar artery. Brain MRI revealed new-onset infarction in bilateral pontine and left cerebellum of one patient. Emergent arterial thrombolytic therapy and subsequent dual antiplatelet and statin therapy achieved hearing recovery. Brain MRI revealed new-onset infarction in the right pontine of the other patient. Hearing was partially recovered after dual antiplatelet and statin therapy.Conclusions Cerebral infarction with a prodromal symptom of sudden sensorineural hearing loss is not rare. Patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss should undergo cerebrovascular examinations as soon as possible. Clinical characteristics including dizziness, multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis, and basilar artery stenosis indicate a high risk of cerebral infarction.