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Multiple sclerosis: a cause of sudden hearing loss
1Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Etlik-Ankara, Turkey.
Audiology : Official Organ of the International Society of Audiology
|February 25, 1998
Summary
Sudden hearing loss can be an early sign of multiple sclerosis. This case highlights unusual auditory brainstem response findings in a patient with probable multiple sclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Audiology
Background:
- Sudden hearing loss (SHL) presents diagnostic challenges when the etiology is unclear.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) can manifest with diverse neurological symptoms, including auditory dysfunction.
Observation:
- A patient presented with SHL as the initial symptom, diagnosed as probable MS.
- Audiometry revealed profound left-sided sensorineural hearing loss.
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) on the affected side showed only wave I, with other waves absent.
Findings:
- Electronystagmography indicated abnormalities in eye movements (hypometric dysmetria, saccadic pursuit).
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed multiple high-intensity lesions consistent with MS.
- Despite improvement in hearing and other symptoms after steroid treatment, ABR findings remained unchanged.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering neurological conditions like MS in unexplained SHL.
- The persistent, abnormal ABR findings despite clinical improvement suggest irreversible auditory pathway damage.
- The unique ABR pattern provides insights into the neurophysiological impact of MS on the auditory system.