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Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
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Hidden hearing loss: current concepts

Munir Demir Bajin1,2, Valerie Dahm1,2, Vincent Y W Lin1,2

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery
|August 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Hidden hearing loss (HHL), or cochlear synaptopathy, impairs auditory nerve synapses crucial for noise perception. Developing diagnostic tools for HHL is vital for patient understanding and protection.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Audiology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Hidden hearing loss (HHL), also known as cochlear synaptopathy, is a condition distinct from traditional hearing loss.
  • It primarily affects the afferent synapses of inner hair cells, rather than the hair cells themselves.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on hidden hearing loss (HHL).
  • To describe the mechanisms contributing to HHL development.
  • To review diagnostic tools and future research directions for HHL.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on hidden hearing loss.
  • Analysis of mechanisms underlying cochlear synaptopathy.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic techniques such as auditory brainstem response.

Main Results:

  • HHL involves impaired synapses of slow-firing nerve fibers, impacting sound localization in noise.
  • Recent findings suggest a link between HHL and cochlear nerve demyelination, potentially caused by noise exposure.
  • Auditory brainstem response, envelope-following response, and middle-ear muscle reflex show promise as diagnostic tests but require human validation.

Conclusions:

  • Establishing reliable diagnostic tools for cochlear synaptopathy in humans is crucial.
  • Accurate diagnosis will improve understanding of affected individuals.
  • It will aid in predicting long-term outcomes and implementing protective measures.
Abstract

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