Sudden Deafness during Antepartum versus Postpartum Periods

Abstract

Objective: This study reviewed our experience in treating sudden deafness in antepartum (pregnant) and postpartum women during the past 2 decades. Methods: From 1997 to 2016, we have recorded sudden deafness in 16 antepartum (mean age, 32 years) and 3 postpartum (mean age, 31 years) women. Sudden deafness occurred during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters in 5, 4, and 7 antepartum women, respectively. In contrast, the mean interval between giving birth and symptom onset in the 3 postpartum women was 18 days. Each patient underwent an inner ear test battery. Results: In 8 antepartum women treated by dextran infusion, the outcome as regards hearing was improved in 7 patients (88%) and unchanged in 1 patient. In contrast, the other 8 antepartum women selected no treatment, and only 1 patient (12%) achieved hearing improvement, exhibiting a significantly better outcome when receiving dextran treatment. For the postpartum women, 2 patients had hearing improvement when treated by antioxidants, while 1 patient retained unchanged hearing without treatment. Conclusion: Medication is needed in sudden deafness in antepartum or postpartum women rather than waiting for a natural course. No adverse effects have been identified in any of the mothers or offspring 1 year after delivery.

Unexpected Motherhood-Triggered Hearing Loss in the Two-Pore Channel (TPC) Mutant Mouse

“…Here, we quantified the ABR thresholds of the WT and TPC KO mother mice at 9–10 days postpartum to be sure of the impact of motherhood on possible audiogram alterations in the TPC KO mice. However, it is important to bear in mind that the majority of human studies on ARHL linked to otosclerosis or sudden hearing loss onset have been analyzed in pregnant women [ 52 , 53 , 54 ], although some studies have been conducted on postpartum cohorts [ 55 , 56 ]. Thus, it is possible that the increase in thresholds observed in the mother TPC KO mice already exists during pregnancy.…”

Combined Growth Factor and Gene Therapy: An Approach for Hair Cell Regeneration and Hearing Recovery

“…In the sensorineural hearing loss, the hair cells (HCs) in the cochlea are irreversibly destroyed. In this regard, several factors can be involved in the loss of HCs including infections (cytomegalovirus and rubella), genetic and environmental factors, as well as the use of ototoxic drugs (aminoglycosides and platinum derivatives) [11][12][13]. HCs in humans and other mammals have no or a very limited capacity for self-regeneration.…”