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Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Associated with Oral Consumption of Hand Sanitizer: A Case Report

Arshit Kataria1, Siddharth Jain2, Manika Arora3

  • 1Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery , All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, India.

Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
|May 30, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) can occur after ingesting alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Early corticosteroid treatment showed minimal improvement in a 5-year-old child, highlighting a potential ototoxic risk.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The Coronavirus 19 pandemic increased the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which can be appealing to children due to added scents.
  • Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a critical otological condition in children, necessitating prompt diagnosis and management.
  • While various causes of SSNHL exist, ingestion of hand sanitizers has not been previously linked to this condition.

Observation:

  • A 5-year-old female child presented with bilateral SSNHL following the ingestion of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Audiological evaluation confirmed SSNHL, and the child received systemic corticosteroid therapy.
  • Follow-up assessments at 6 and 18 months revealed no significant recovery of hearing thresholds.

Findings:

  • This case report is the first to document SSNHL as a consequence of alcohol-based hand sanitizer consumption in a pediatric patient.
  • The findings suggest a potential ototoxic effect of ingested alcohol-based hand sanitizers, leading to irreversible hearing damage.
  • Systemic corticosteroids provided only a marginal benefit, indicating limited efficacy in treating this specific form of hearing loss.

Implications:

  • Otorhinolaryngologists and pediatricians should consider hand sanitizer ingestion as a potential cause of SSNHL in children, especially during public health crises.
  • Increased awareness and parental education regarding the safe storage of alcohol-based hand sanitizers are crucial to prevent accidental pediatric exposures.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of alcohol-induced ototoxicity and to develop effective treatment strategies for pediatric SSNHL caused by sanitizer ingestion.
Abstract

Keywords:
AlcoholCase reportCoronavirusSanitizerSudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL)

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