Pseudo—Sudden Deafness

Abstract

Patients who present with an acute onset of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss with decreased speech discrimination may be mistakenly thought to have idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss when, in fact, they may have an SOM-induced phenomenon that is potentially reversible. The distinguishing feature is a preexisting otitis media, which must be treated first, before the administration of steroids.

Acute otitis media associated bilateral sudden hearing loss: case report and literature review

“…Song et al . differentiate patients with acute otitis media associated sudden SNHL, labelling the clinical entity as ‘pseudo-sudden deafness’ 17 . The authors proposed that this differentiation is necessary, given the specific underlying aetiology, and the belief that treatment with early myringotomy (with or without ventilation tubes) and antibiotics significantly improves prognosis.…”

Effect of intratympanic steroid administration on sensorineural hearing loss associated with acute otitis media

“…9 Fearrington and Weider reported a case of SNHL associated with acute otitis media that resolved following treatment with systemic prednisone. 11 They emphasised the importance of correctly diagnosing acute infective SNHL as distinct from idiopathic sudden SNHL, and advocated initial aggressive treatment with myringotomy and antibiotics, reserving steroids for subsequent management if the SNHL persists. 1 Seven of the patients received oral steroid therapy as part of their treatment and the hearing improved in six.…”

“…Song et al . reported a variable benefit from topical or oral steroids in their study of eight patients 11 . They emphasised the importance of correctly diagnosing acute infective SNHL as distinct from idiopathic sudden SNHL, and advocated initial aggressive treatment with myringotomy and antibiotics, reserving steroids for subsequent management if the SNHL persists.…”

Risk of Developing Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients with Acute Otitis Media: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis

“…Accordingly, the infectious and inflammatory processes that occur in the middle ear, such as AOM, may result in cochlear or vestibular symptoms such as hearing loss or vertigo. Song et al [28] described several patients with asymmetric SNHL and decreased SRS secondary to AOM.…”