Sudden hearing loss as a first complication of long-standing Type 1 diabetes mellitus: a case report.
The term 'sudden hypoacusis' describes a hearing loss of a rapid onset and unknown origin that can progress to severe deafness. Its pathophysiology is still unknown, the proposed aetiological mechanisms being vascular disease or autoimmune reaction. We present the case of a 19-year-old woman with Type 1 diabetes mellitus who experienced sudden hearing loss on her right side. She had no complications related to diabetes. After being referred to the hospital she was diagnosed with sudden sensorineural right-sided hearing loss accompanied by high frequency tinnitus. After administration of vasoactive drugs, there was partial improvement after 7 days, followed by gradual improvement over the next 4 weeks to 5 months. The tinnitus did not disappear completely. We conclude that hearing organ disturbances can be present in Type 1 diabetes and represent an early complication.
Gawron
W
W
University of Wrocław, Faculty of Medicine, ENT Department, Wrocław, Poland. wgawron@interia.pl
Pospiech
L
L
Noczynska
A
A
Koziorowska
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009530:Nicergoline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009530:Nicergoline