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Updated: Oct 6, 2026

Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Occurrence of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Viral Meningitis and Encephalitis
Elisa Skovgaard Jensen1,2, Andreas Vestergaard Jensen3, Per Cayé-Thomasen2,4
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Nordsjællands Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hillerød, Denmark.
Abstract:
Hearing loss in viral neuroinfections is poorly investigated. The present study aimed to clarify if hearing loss can develop in viral meningitis and encephalitis. An OAE (oto-acoustic emission) was measured in adult patients with viral meningitis and encephalitis on the day of admission and 30-60 days after discharge. Frequencies were categorized as Low (1, 1.5, 2 kHz), Mid (3, 4, 5 kHz), Mid-high (6, 7, 8 kHz), and High (9, 10 kHz). An OAE was measured in 41 patients with viral meningitis and 8 patients with encephalitis. Six patients with viral meningitis (15%) experienced a decrease of > 5 dB in one or more frequency categories. Twelve patients (29%) had a temporary decrease in OAE levels of more than 5 dB and 23 patients (54%) had no change in OAE levels between admission and follow-up. We found no significant differences in OAE levels from admission to follow-up between viral meningitis pathogens. In viral encephalitis, herpes simplex virus was associated with a decrease in OAE levels in all frequencies in 3 of 5 patients. Varicella zoster encephalitis was not associated with changes in OAE levels. Viral meningitis and herpes simplex encephalitis is associated with development of a sensorineural hearing loss.
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