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Updated: Jun 3, 2025
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A Unified Methodological Framework for Vestibular Schwannoma Research
Published on: June 20, 2017
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Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers Prevent Vestibular Schwannoma-Associated Hearing Loss
Samuel Early, Alyssa Brown1, Lei Xu2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Summary
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) show a significant association with preserved hearing in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS). This real-world study suggests ARBs may help prevent tumor-associated sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in VS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Otolaryngology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Vestibular schwannoma (VS) commonly causes sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).
- Losartan previously showed SNHL prevention in a mouse model of VS.
- This study investigates the effect of ARBs on SNHL in human VS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use and hearing preservation in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS).
- To assess the impact of ARB therapy on sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) progression in a human VS cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of unilateral VS patients with hypertension and sequential audiometry (1994-2023).
- Stratification by anti-hypertensive medication class.
- Kaplan-Meier analysis to assess SNHL progression rates.
Main Results:
- 236 VS patients with hypertension and audiometry were identified.
- 23 patients were taking an ARB; they showed a higher likelihood of normal baseline hearing and no progressive hearing loss.
- Patients on other anti-hypertensives exhibited hearing declines consistent with VS natural history.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes a statistically significant association between ARB intake and hearing preservation in VS patients.
- While confounding factors exist, ARBs appear safe and well-tolerated.
- Further prospective clinical trials are warranted to validate these findings.
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