Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-xtgtn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T05:25:51.232Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Sudden hearing loss and pregnancy: a review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 February 2012

A Y Goh  and
S S M Hussain
A Y Goh
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK
S S M Hussain*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital and University of Dundee Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr S S Musheer Hussain, Consultant Otolaryngologist, Honorary Reader, Ward 26, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK Fax: +44 (0)1382 632 816, E-mail: musheer.hussain@nhs.net
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

Acute hearing loss is a distressing albeit rare occurrence in pregnancy. Due to its infrequent presentation, little is known of its cause, and the best management is unclear.

Objective:

To present a summary of current knowledge regarding sudden hearing loss in pregnancy and its management, by reviewing the published literature.

Data sources:

The following electronic databases: PubMed (MEDLINE), Ovid (MEDLINE), all EBM Reviews (Cochrane DSR, ACP Journal Club, DARE and CCTR) and Embase; plus a hand search of reference lists of retrieved papers.

Study selection and data extraction:

All papers retrieved using key word searches for ‘sudden hearing loss and pregnancy’ and ‘sudden deafness and pregnancy’ were reviewed. Due to the scarcity of literature, all studies identified were included in this review.

Data synthesis and conclusions:

All retrieved papers were reviewed. Sudden hearing loss is a rare occurrence during pregnancy, leading to a dearth of literature due to limited clinical experience. Audiological investigation findings for such patients remain equivocal. Recovery can be spontaneous during the postpartum period. In patients who require medical treatment, a dextran 40 infusion can be employed. There remains scope for further research, in the form of larger studies, to ascertain the best management option for this clinical problem.

Keywords

Hearing LossPregnancyNeuroma, Acoustic
Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 4 , April 2012 , pp. 337 - 339
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Sennaroglu, G, Belgin, E. Audiological findings in pregnancy. J Laryngol Otol 2001;115:617–21CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Wang, YP, Young, YH. Experience in the treatment of sudden deafness during pregnancy. Acta Otolaryngol 2006;126:271–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Lavy, JA. Sudden onset deafness: two cases associated with pregnancy. Int J Clin Pract 1998;52:129–30CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Pawlak-Osinska, K, Burduk, PK, Kopczynski, A. Episodes of repeated sudden deafness following pregnancies. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009;200:e7–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Hultcrantz, M, Simonoska, R, Stenberg, AE. Estrogen and hearing: a summary of recent investigations. Acta Otolaryngol 2006;16:10–14CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6Stenberg, AE, Wang, H, Fish, J 3rd, Schrott-Fischer, A, Sahlin, L, Hultcrantz, M. Estrogen receptors in the normal adult and developing human inner ear and in Turner's syndrome. Hear Res 2003;182:19–23CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7Yadav, A, Tandon, OP, Vaney, N. Auditory evoked responses during different phases of menstrual cycle. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2002;46:449–56Google ScholarPubMed
8Cox, JR. Hormonal influence on auditory function. Ear Hear 1980;1:219–22CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Swanson, SJ, Dengerink, HA. Changes in pure-tone thresholds and temporary threshold shifts as a function of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives. J Speech Hearing Res 1988;31:569–74Google ScholarPubMed
10Kilicdag, EB, Yavuz, H, Bagis, T, Tarim, E, Erkan, AN, Kazanci, F. Effects of estrogen therapy on hearing in postmenopausal women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2004;190:77–82CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11Kim, SH, Kan, BM, Chae, HD, Kim, CH. The association between serum estradiol level and hearing sensitivity in postmenopausal women. Obstet Gynecol 2002;99:726–30Google ScholarPubMed
12Hanna, GS. Sudden deafness and the contraceptive pill. J Laryngol Otol 1986;100:701–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Strachan, D. Sudden sensorineural deafness and hormone replacement therapy. J Laryngol Otol 1996;110:1148–50CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14Tsunoda, K, Takahashi, S, Takanosawa, M, Shimoji, Y. The influence of pregnancy on sensation of ear problems – ear problems associated with healthy pregnancy. J Laryngol Otol 1999;113:318–20CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15Tandon, OP, Misra, R, Tandon, I. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) in pregnant women. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1990;34:42–4Google ScholarPubMed
16Kuo, ST, Hsu, WC, Young, YH. Dextran-induced pulmonary edema in patients with sudden deafness. Otol Neurotol 2002;23:661–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17Wilson, WR, Byl, FM, Laird, N. The efficacy of steroids in the treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss. Arch Otolaryngol 1980;106:772–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18Cinamon, U, Bendet, E, Kronenberg, J. Steroids, carbigen or placebo for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a prospective double-blind study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2001;258:477–80CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19Beni-Adani, L, Pomeranz, S, Flores, I, Shoshan, Y, Ginosar, Y, Ben-Shachar, I. Huge acoustic neurinomas presenting in late stage of pregnancy. Treatment options and review of literature. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2001;80:179–84CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20Doyle, KJ, Luxford, WM. Acoustic neuroma in pregnancy. Am J Otol 1994;15:111–13Google ScholarPubMed
21Kachhara, R, Devi, CG, Nair, S, Bhattacharya, RN, Radhakrishnan, VV. Acoustic neurinomas during pregnancy: report of two cases and review of literature. Acta Neurochir 2001;143:587–91CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22Gaughan, RK, Harner, SG. Acoustic neuroma and pregnancy. Am J Otol 1993;14:88–91Google ScholarPubMed
23Sharma, JB, Pundir, P, Sharma, A. Acoustic neuroma in pregnancy: emergency cesarean section and definitive neurosurgery. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2003;80:321–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed