Bilateral simultaneous sudden hearing loss - Case report
Journal
Journal of the Otolaryngological Society of the Republic of China
Journal Volume
32
Journal Issue
6
Date Issued
1997-12-01
Author(s)
Wu, Y. H.
Abstract
Background: Bilateral simultaneous sudden hearing loss is very rare, ranging from 0.44% to 2.78% in patients with sudden hearing loss. Materials and methods: There were 8 patients with bilateral simultaneous sudden hearing loss from 1991 to 1996. All received a battery of tests, including physical examinations, neurological examinations, laboratory tests, audiometry and electronystagmography. Results: Two of the eight patients were diagnosed with idiopathic bilateral simultaneous sudden deafness, and the audiograms revealed symmetrical patterns. The other six patients had underlying diseases, specifically brain tumor 1, stroke 1, meningitis 1, ototoxicity 2 and VKH syndrome 1. In the case of the patient with VKH syndrome, the audiogram also revealed a symmetrical pattern; whereas asymmetrical audiograms were encountered in the other 5 patients. Conclusion: With the use of neurological examinations, audiograms and electronystagmograms, one can make an effective differential diagnosis in patients with bilateral simultaneous sudden hearing loss.
Subjects
Bilateral simultaneous sudden hearing loss | Sudden deafness
Type
journal article