Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Circulating microRNAs as potentially new diagnostic biomarkers of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Sun Mok Ha1,2, Kyu Rin Hwang3, Il Hwan Park4
1Research Institute of Hearing Enhancement, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Early detection of inner ear cell damage can reduce the chances of permanent damage to hearing ability. However, current inner ear cell damage detection methods can detect damage only after the patient has lost hearing ability. MicroRNA expression levels in circulating systems are affected in diseases or conditions arising from the distant lesions. Therefore, detection of circulating microRNA expression levels could be one of the best ways to obtain information on inaccessible lesion sites.
Aims/Objectives:
This study aims to establish a method for monitoring idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) by analyzing circulating microRNA expression levels. 21 ISSNHL patients and 24 healthy controls were enrolled.
Material And Methods:
Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed for detecting expression levels of circulating microRNAs.
Results:
Among eight circulating microRNAs, expression levels of five circulating microRNAs significantly differed between ISSNHL patients and healthy controls. circulating microRNA expression levels correlates with treatment outcomes and hearing ability.
Conclusions And Significance:
Using methods combining the evaluation of miR-183, miR-210, miR-18b, and miR-23a cut-off values identified in ISSNHL patients and healthy controls during receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, sensitivity and specificity of 80.95% (17/21) and 87.50% (21/24) were obtained, respectively.
Insights
Detecting specific circulating microRNAs can help identify idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) early. This method shows promise for monitoring hearing ability and treatment outcomes in ISSNHL patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Early detection of inner ear damage is crucial for preserving hearing.
- Current methods detect damage only after hearing loss occurs.
- Circulating microRNA levels can indicate damage at distant lesion sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for monitoring idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) using circulating microRNA expression.
- To analyze differences in microRNA levels between ISSNHL patients and healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used.
- Expression levels of circulating microRNAs were measured.
- 21 ISSNHL patients and 24 healthy controls were included.
Main Results:
- Five out of eight analyzed circulating microRNAs showed significantly different expression levels in ISSNHL patients compared to controls.
- Circulating microRNA levels correlated with treatment outcomes and hearing ability.
- A combination of miR-183, miR-210, miR-18b, and miR-23a achieved 80.95% sensitivity and 87.50% specificity.
Conclusions:
- Circulating microRNA analysis offers a potential non-invasive method for ISSNHL detection and monitoring.
- Specific microRNAs (miR-183, miR-210, miR-18b, miR-23a) show diagnostic potential for ISSNHL.
- This approach could lead to earlier intervention and improved management of hearing loss.
Related Concept Videos
01:22MicroRNAs
01:22MicroRNAs