Sudden sensorineural hearing loss after non-otologic surgery

Abstract

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss following non-otologic surgery is a rare event described in the medical literature. Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is most commonly associated with this type of hearing loss. Our case report and review of the literature describe two cases with postoperative hearing loss – neither of which are cardiac surgeries – making them exceedingly rare in the medical literature. Regardless of the rarity of this unfortunate event, the possibility for permanent hearing loss is a potentially devastating unanticipated complication and one that all surgeons should be aware.