[Bilateral simultaneous sudden deafness--a report of five cases].

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Virology
• Audiology

Background:

• Sudden deafness is a significant auditory condition.
• Bilateral simultaneous sudden deafness is rare but presents unique challenges.
• Understanding potential etiologies and recovery patterns is crucial for patient management.

Observation:

• Five cases of bilateral simultaneous sudden deafness were analyzed.
• Patients ranged from 5 to 54 years old, experiencing profound bilateral hearing loss.
• Mumps virus antibody titers were elevated in 75% of tested patients.

Findings:

• Hearing recovery was symmetrical in 75% of cases.
• Complete or significant bilateral hearing recovery occurred in 60% of patients.
• Cases with elevated mumps antibody titers showed slower, less favorable recovery.

Implications:

• Mumps virus may be a contributing factor in some bilateral sudden deafness cases.
• Prognosis for bilateral sudden deafness can be influenced by viral etiology.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the role of viruses in sudden hearing loss and optimize treatment strategies.