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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss following intramuscular administration of penicillin
Pedro Alberto Escada1, Clara Capucho, José Francisco Madeira da Silva
1Department of Otolaryngology, Egas Moniz University Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal. np46ab@mail.telepac.pt
Abstract:
We report a case of sudden hearing loss in a patient with acute exudative tonsillitis, occurring 15 minutes after the intramuscular administration of penicillin. Audiological evaluation documented a profound sensorineural hearing loss of the cochlear type. The mechanism of the hearing loss was probably an immediate hypersensitivity (type I) allergic drug reaction. Penicillin is used frequently for the treatment of several infections. Allergic reactions to penicillin are well known and include urticaria, maculopapular exanthems, angio-oedema, bronchospasm and anaphylaxis, but sudden hearing loss has never been recorded.
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