Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Question 1

Causes

Answer 1

Infection (e.g., meningitis, HIV and mumps)
Ménière’s disease
Ototoxic medications
Multiple sclerosis
Migraine
Stroke
Acoustic neuroma
Cogan’s syndrome (a rare autoimmune condition causing inflammation of the eyes and inner ear)

Question 2

Diagnosis

Answer 2

Audiometry is required to establish the diagnosis. A diagnosis of SSNHL requires a loss of at least 30 decibels in three consecutive frequencies on an audiogram.

MRI or CT head may be used if a stroke or acoustic neuroma are being considered.