Project description:OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to investigate the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients presenting with only sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHNL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS:The study included five male patients who presented with the sole complaint of unilateral SSNHL to the otolaryngology outpatient clinic between 03-12 April 2020. The patients were referred to the infectious diseases clinic to be evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. RESULTS:RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 was positive in one of the patients and negative in the other four patients. A positive response to COVID-19-specific treatment in the SARS-CoV-2 positive SSNHL patient was noted. CONCLUSION:It should be remembered that non-specific symptoms such as SSNHL could be the only sign with which to recognize a COVID-19 case. Awareness of such a non-specific presentation of COVID-19 patients is crucial during this pandemic period for preventing infectious spread through isolation and early initiation of COVID-19 targeted treatment.
Project description:ObjectiveCase reports of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) following vaccines have led to concerns that vaccines may rarely cause hearing loss. Because of this concern, we analyzed for an association between SSHL and vaccinations.Study designWe used a case-centered method, equivalent to a case control design using immunization dates from all matched members of the population to calculate exposure to vaccines, rather than sampling.SettingKaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC), 2007 to 2013.Subjects and methodsWe searched KPNC databases from 2007 to 2013 for all first-time diagnoses of SSHL. We used the date of any hearing- or ear-related visit in the 60 days prior to the first SSHL diagnosis as the onset date. Using only SSHL cases immunized in the prior 9 months, we compared the vaccine exposure in several risk intervals prior to onset with the exposure to the same vaccine during the same time period in all KPNC membership, matched to sex and age.ResultsDuring the study period, >20 million vaccines were administered at KPNC. In all risk intervals prior to onset of SSHL, we found no evidence of increased risk of immunization compared with matched controls. The odds ratios for vaccination 1 week prior to SSHL were 0.965 (95% confidence interval, 0.61-1.50) for trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV); 0.842 (0.39-1.62) for tetanus, reduced diphtheria, and reduced acellular pertussis; and 0.454 (0.08-1.53) for zoster vaccine.ConclusionA large-scale analysis applying a case-centered method did not detect any association between SSHL and previous receipt of TIV or other vaccines.
Project description:IntroductionTo compare inpatient treated patients with idiopathic (ISSNHL) and non-idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (NISSNHL) regarding frequency, hearing loss, treatment and outcome.MethodsAll 574 inpatient patients (51% male, median age: 60 years) with ISSNHL and NISSNHL, who were treated in federal state Thuringia in 2011 and 2012, were included retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed.ResultsISSNHL was diagnosed in 490 patients (85%), NISSNHL in 84 patients (15%). 49% of these cases had hearing loss due to acute otitis media, 37% through varicella-zoster infection or Lyme disease, 10% through Menière disease and 7% due to other reasons. Patients with ISSNHL and NISSNHL showed no difference between age, gender, side of hearing loss, presence of tinnitus or vertigo and their comorbidities. 45% of patients with ISSNHL and 62% with NISSNHL had an outpatient treatment prior to inpatient treatment (p < 0.001). The mean interval between onset of hearing loss to inpatient treatment was shorter in ISSNHL (7.7 days) than in NISSNHL (8.9 days; p = 0.02). The initial hearing loss of the three most affected frequencies in pure-tone average (3PTAmax) scaled 72.9 dBHL ± 31.3 dBHL in ISSNHL and 67.4 dBHL ± 30.5 dBHL in NISSNHL. In the case of acute otitis media, 3PTAmax (59.7 dBHL ± 24.6 dBHL) was lower than in the case of varicella-zoster infection or Lyme disease (80.11 dBHL ± 34.19 dBHL; p = 0.015). Mean absolute hearing gain (Δ3PTAmaxabs) was 8.1 dB ± 18.8 dB in patients with ISSNHL, and not different in NISSNHL patients with 10.2 dB ± 17.6 dB. A Δ3PTAmaxabs ≥ 10 dB was reached in 34.3% of the patients with ISSNHL and to a significantly higher rate of 48.8% in NISSNHL patients (p = 0.011).ConclusionsISSNHL and NISSNHL show no relevant baseline differences. ISSNHL tends to have a higher initial hearing loss. NISSHNL shows a better outcome than ISSNHL.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Hypothyroidism, one of the prevalent endocrine disorders worldwide, has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, from an asymptomatic condition to myxedema coma. Although the majority of patients with hypothyroidism have minor clinical symptoms, which are recovered with levothyroxine treatment, some patients occasionally do experience fatal complications. Here we report, for the first time, the case of a patient who had hypothyroidism with simultaneous occurrence of rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney injury, moderate pericardial effusion, and sudden sensorineural hearing loss. CASE PRESENTATION:A 57-year-old man with a previous history of dyslipidemia and untreated hypothyroidism was admitted to the hospital due to shortness of breath, lethargy, lower extremity discomfort, and unilateral hearing loss. Laboratory results revealed rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney injury and severe hypothyroidism. We detected cardiomegaly without lung parenchymal infiltration on chest radiography and moderate pericardial effusion on transthoracic echocardiography. We performed pure tone audiometry and identified profound unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Aggressive fluid resuscitation, levothyroxine treatment, and systemic and intratympanic steroid therapy alleviated the patient's severe hypothyroidism, rhabdomyolysis, and pericardial effusion; however, sensorineural hearing loss was not fully recovered. CONCLUSIONS:Early recognition of life-threatening complications is important in patients with severe hypothyroidism to prevent adverse outcomes. This case suggests that hypothyroidism should be considered in patients who have rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney disease and pericardial effusion. Moreover, sudden sensorineural hearing loss should be kept in mind as a rare complication of hypothyroidism.
Project description:Sudden hearing loss is an easily encountered disease in clinics, but its prognosis has not been completely elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the long-term prognosis of sudden hearing loss with 130 patients who were diagnosed based on strict criteria and provided uniform treatment. The patients with incomplete recovery were reevaluated after 2 months without receiving additional treatment. Hearing levels at different time points were compared. Moreover, the associated factors affecting the degree of hearing improvement over time were evaluated using stepwise multiple linear regression. After treatment, 73 out of the 130 (56.1%) patients attained incomplete recovery and were reevaluated after 2 months. Seventeen out of the seventy-three (23.3%) patients showed a grade promotion, fifty-four (74%) were constant, and two (2.7%) were aggravated. The mean interaural hearing differences (IHDs) showed significant improvement. Old age, poor initial IHD, and poor recovery grade were significantly associated with a profitable delayed hearing gain. Poorer hearing level at the time of onset might be a sign for slower recovery rather than a poorer prognostic factor. The treatment outcome of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) should be evaluated at least 2 months after treatment completion, and counseling is required due to the need for long-term follow-up in patients with ISSNHL.
Project description:RationaleAccording to the World Health Organization reports, adult-onset hearing loss is the 15th leading cause of burden of disease, and is projected to move up to 7th by the year 2030, especially in high-income countries. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is considered by otologists as a true otologic emergency. The current standard treatment for sudden hearing loss is a tapered course of oral high-dose corticosteroids. The described clinical case points to the validity of undertaking early hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) therapy together with corticosteroids for full recovery of adult onset idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.Patient concernsA 44-year-old woman complained of an abrupt hearing deterioration in the left ear with the sensation of aural fullness and loud tinnitus presented for 48 hours. The patient was admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology of Public Hospital for diagnosis and treatment.DiagnosesThe patient was diagnosed with unilateral sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss, assessed by measuring the tonal audiograms.InterventionsThe patient received treatment including oral high-dose corticosteroids combined with HBO protocol including 15 daily 1-hour exposures to 100% oxygen at 2.5 atmosphere absolute.OutcomesA pharmacotherapy combined with early HBO resulted in full recovery of hearing.LessonsEarly implementation of HBO to the pharmacotherapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss may lead to full recovery of hearing. There is a need for systematic research to establish guidelines for optimal number of HBO sessions in relation to the timeframe from hearing loss symptoms onset to implementation of HBO therapy.
Project description:Background and Introduction: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is characterized by rapid onset, typically unilateral presentation, and variable recovery. This case-control observational study aimed to improve patient counseling by objectively characterizing long-term hearing loss progression following ISSNHL, using sequential audiometry in the largest-to-date cohort of patients with ISSNHL. Methods: Patients diagnosed with ISSNHL at a tertiary referral hospital from 1994 through 2018 with sequential audiometry were studied. Case controls with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) were matched by age, sex, baseline hearing status, and frequency of sequential audiometry. Hearing loss progression was quantified using Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis to account for variable follow-up duration. A subgroup analysis was performed by age, sex, preexisting comorbidities, ISSNHL-associated symptoms, ISSNHL treatment, and degree of post-ISSNHL hearing recovery. Results: A total of 660 patients were identified with ISSNHL. In patients with post-ISSNHL recovery to good hearing [pure tone average (PTA) <30 dB and word recognition score (WRS) > 70%], median time to progression to non-serviceable (PTA > 50 dB or WRS <50%) SNHL was 16.4 years. In patients with incomplete post-ISSNHL hearing recovery, contralateral ears were also at significantly higher risk of SNHL progression over the following 12-year period. Male sex was associated with increased risk of SNHL progression [odds ratio (OR) 3.45 male vs. female] at 5-year follow up. No other subgroup factors influenced the likelihood of SNHL progression. Discussion and Conclusion: Patients should be counseled on continued risk to long-term hearing after stabilization of hearing post-ISSNHL, with particular emphasis on greater risk to the contralateral ear in those with incomplete ipsilateral recovery.
Project description:There have been relatively few reports of bilateral internal auditory canal metastases of asymptomatic primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma presenting as unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo. We report a case of a 60-year-old male patient who complained of sudden hearing loss in the right ear and vertigo. Upon a physical examination, no definite neurological signs or nystagmus were observed. Pure-tone audiometry showed deafness in the right ear at all frequencies and high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear. The video head impulse test suggested bilateral vestibulopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (with gadolinium contrast) revealed bilateral internal auditory canal enhancement and a variable-sized nodular and peripheral-enhancing lesion in the cerebrum and the right cerebellum. A computed tomographic and bronchoscopic biopsy identified asymptomatic primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma in the left upper lobe of the lungs. This is a rare report of bilateral internal auditory canal metastases in an asymptomatic patient with primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma who initially presented with symptoms of unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo.
Project description:Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an enigmatic entity, with obscure pathophysiology and debatable efficacy of the treatment agents used. An underlying cause is identified in only 10-15% of cases. The management of the remaining patients, classified as 'idiopathic', is empirical, and is conventionally with systemic steroids, vasodilator therapy, rheological agents, and antioxidants, to list a few amongst the host of the agents employed for the treatment. The availability of conflicting outcomes and lack of conclusive evidence has resulted in the propagation of consensus-based treatment protocols. In the present review, we discuss the various controversial issues and newer developments in the management of idiopathic SSNHL. The current review aims to present a narrative outlook of the updated evidence base available from PUBMED, augmented with relevant designated publications.