Autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Endocrinology
• Immunology

Background:

• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an idiopathic condition.
• Autoimmune thyroiditis is an endocrine disorder with potential systemic implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between autoimmune thyroiditis and SSNHL.
• To explore the impact of thyroid autoimmunity on audiological characteristics in SSNHL patients.

Main Methods:

• 105 SSNHL patients were enrolled.
• Serum thyroid autoantibodies (TPOAb, TgAb) were measured.
• Patients were grouped based on autoantibody status and audiological data analyzed.

Main Results:

• 24.8% of SSNHL patients had elevated thyroid autoantibodies.
• While hearing improved in both autoantibody-positive and negative groups, gains were similar.
• Autoantibody-positive patients showed worse high-frequency hearing loss (2000-8000 Hz).

Conclusions:

• A potential association exists between thyroid autoimmunity and SSNHL.
• Thyroid autoimmunity may be a pathogenic factor in SSNHL.
• Autoimmunity is linked to more severe high-frequency hearing loss in SSNHL.