Five cases of sudden hearing loss of presumed vascular origin

Sudden hearing loss is an important symptom which demands immediate evaluation. Although it may be attributed to a number of disorders, relatively few clinicopathological correlations have been described. The role of vascular disease in the aetiology of sudden hearing loss has been acknowledged in several case reports, but remains unclear and perhaps underemphasized, given the prevalence of vascular disease in other organ systems in Western communities. Five cases of sudden hearing loss due to presumed vascular disease are reported. It is postulated that vascular disease is an important factor in the pathogenesis, and one which may be overlooked in the management of sudden hearing loss.