Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2025
Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Hearing Dysfunction After Treatment With Teprotumumab for Thyroid Eye Disease
Connie M Sears1, Amee D Azad1, Linus Amarikwa1
1From the Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute (C.M.S., A.D.A., L.A., B.H.P., C.J.M., J.L., A.L.K.); Department of Medicine-Endocrinology, Gerontology, & Metabolism (D.N.K., A.R.H., C.D.); and Department of Otolaryngology (A.S., J.A., J.Y.L.), Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA. Daniel Kaplan is an endocrinologist now practicing at Epic Care, San Leandro, California, USA.
Teprotumumab treatment for thyroid eye disease can cause hearing dysfunction, including sensorineural hearing loss. While some symptoms resolve, hearing loss may persist, necessitating baseline audiometry and monitoring for adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Otolaryngology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune condition affecting the orbits.
- Teprotumumab is a novel biologic treatment for TED, targeting the IGF-1R pathway.
- Hearing dysfunction is an emerging adverse event associated with teprotumumab therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, severity, and resolution of hearing problems in patients receiving teprotumumab for TED.
- To identify potential risk factors for teprotumumab-induced ototoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational case series of patients treated with teprotumumab.
- Regular assessments of otologic symptoms and adverse events.
- Audiometry and patulous eustachian tube (PET) testing for symptomatic patients.
Main Results:
- Over 80% of patients developed new otologic symptoms, most commonly tinnitus and ear fullness.
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was diagnosed in 5 of 6 patients who underwent audiometry.
- A history of hearing loss was a significant risk factor for developing SNHL.
Conclusions:
- Hearing loss is a notable adverse event of teprotumumab, requiring further investigation into its mechanisms and reversibility.
- Baseline audiometry and PET testing are recommended, with repeat testing for new otologic symptoms.
- Development of screening, monitoring, and prevention guidelines for hearing loss is crucial.
