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Updated: Oct 13, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
[Value of immunobiological tests in Menière's disease and in rapidly progressive sensorineural deafness]
1C.H.R.U. Grenoble, Clinique O.R.L., Grenoble, France.
Insights
Immunobiologic tests identified inflammation in Meniere's disease and sensorineural hearing loss. Specific inner ear antibodies correlated with better hearing improvement after corticosteroid therapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Otolaryngology
- Audiology
Context:
- Meniere's disease and rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss can have autoimmune components.
- Investigating immunobiologic markers aids in understanding disease mechanisms.
Purpose:
- To identify abnormal immunobiologic tests in Meniere's disease and rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss.
- To assess the correlation between immunologic findings and treatment response.
Summary:
- 12 Meniere's disease and 11 rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss cases were tested for non-specific inflammatory markers and inner ear specific antibodies.
- Over 50% showed non-specific inflammation; 30% had positive specific inner ear tests.
- Corticosteroid therapy improved hearing in 100% of patients with positive specific tests versus 50% with negative tests.
Impact:
- Suggests a potential role for immunologic testing in diagnosing and guiding treatment for these hearing disorders.
- Highlights the efficacy of corticosteroids in patients with confirmed autoimmune inner ear disease.
Abstract:
We have looked for abnormal immunobiologic test in 12 cases of Meniere's disease and 11 cases of rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss. After ruling out known etiologies, they were screened with non specific tests (sedimentation rate, electrophoresis, immunoglobulins, circulating immune complexes, cryoglobulins, complement system, auto antibodies) and inner ear specific tests (antibodies against human cochlea by indirect immunofluorescent test and lymphocyte transformation test against a pool of human inner ear. A non specific inflammatory syndrome was found in more than 50% of cases, specific tests of the inner ear were positive in 30% of cases. Corticosteroid therapy achieved a significant improvement of the hearing in 100% of the patients with a positive specific test, versus 50% of those with a negative result. A therapeutic protocol is suggested taking into account the results of the immunobiologic tests.
