Sudden Onset Sensorineural Hearing Loss Research Articles

The inflammatory and metabolic status of patients with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common emergency symptom in otolaryngology that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. SSNHL has a multifactorial etiology, and its pathophysiologic mechanisms may be associated with inflammatory and metabolic changes that may affect the cochlear microenvironment or its nervous component, thus triggering the process or hindering hearing recovery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess metabolic and inflammatory changes to identify systemic parameters that could serve as prognostic factors for hearing recovery in patients with SSNHL. Thirty patients with a sudden hearing loss of at least 30 dB in three contiguous frequencies were enrolled in this study. Patients were followed up for 4 months and peripheral blood samples were collected at 7 days (V1), 30 days (V2) and 120 days (V3). Interleukins (IL)-1F7, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and adiponectin were quantified in serum. In addition, lipid and glycemic profiles as well as concentration of creatinine, uric acid, fructosamine, peroxide, total proteins and albumin were analyzed. Patients underwent weekly ear-specific hearing tests with standard pure tone thresholds for frequencies of 250-8,000 Hz, speech recognition threshold and word recognition score. Patients with SSNHL were divided into a group of patients who did not achieve hearing recovery (n = 14) and another group who achieved complete and significant recovery (n = 16). Most serologic parameters showed no significant changes or values indicating clinical changes. However, IFN-γ levels decreased by 36.3% between V1 and V2. The cytokine TNF-α showed a statistically significant decrease from V1 to V3 (from 22.91 to 10.34 pg./mL). Adiponectin showed a decrease from 553.7 ng/mL in V1 to 454.4 ng/mL in V3. Our results show that serologic cytokine levels change in the acute phase of manifestation of SSNHL and establish a parallel between systemic changes and improvements in hearing, especially TNF-α, which showed differences in hearing recovery. The use of IFN-γ, TNF-α and adiponectin may elucidate the clinical improvement in these patients.

Prevalence of perilymphatic fistula in patients with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss as diagnosed by Cochlin-tomoprotein (CTP) biomarker detection: its association with age, hearing severity, and treatment outcomes

PurposeTo determine the prevalence of perilymphatic fistula (PLF) in sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) patients by employing the Cochlin-tomoprotein (CTP) detection test, a specific diagnostic marker for perilymph. We also analyzed the clinical characteristics associated with hearing outcomes in this cohort.MethodsA total of 74 eligible patients were prospectively enrolled. Following myringotomy, middle ear lavage (MEL) samples underwent the CTP test to identify perilymph leakage. Intratympanic dexamethasone (IT-DEX) therapy was administered, and hearing outcomes were assessed. Control groups comprised patients with chronic otitis media (n = 40) and non-inflammatory middle ears (n = 51) with concurrent MEL sample collection.ResultsCTP was positive in 16 (22%) patients. No control samples showed positive results. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age and pre-treatment hearing levels significantly contributed to the CTP value. We found a positive correlation between CTP values, age, and pre-treatment pure-tone averages. Notably, CTP values in SSNHL cases aged 60 and above were significantly higher than in those below 60 years. Patients with positive CTP had significantly worse recovery rates after IT-DEX treatment.ConclusionThis study is the first prospective investigation demonstrating a positive relationship between CTP values, age, and hearing severity in SSNHL, indicating that PLF might be the essential cause of SSNHL, particularly in the elderly. Our findings suggest that IT-DEX may be less effective for PLF-associated SSNHL. Future research could reveal that PLF repair surgery is a viable treatment strategy for SSNHL. This study was registered under the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000010837) on 30/May/2013.

Case report: Acute audiovestibular presentation following hemi-pontine infarction

Posterior circulation stroke is an uncommon cause of sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Anterior inferior cerebellar artery occlusion results in ipsilateral peripheral audiovestibular dysfunction. Few reports describe posterior circulation stroke presenting with contralateral SSNHL and acute vestibular and focal neurological signs. We present a case of contralateral SSNHL and isolated acute central vestibular dysfunction in the absence of other central focal neurological deficits. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been described to date. The patient was identified to have asymmetrical SSNHL, subtle skew deviation with left head tilt, and significant refixation saccades on video head impulse test despite bilaterally normal vestibulo-ocular reflex gains. Left pontine infarct was suspected and confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was treated with an appropriate antiplatelet regimen. We highlight the importance of a thorough clinical diagnostic work-up as posterior circulation strokes with isolated audiovestibular deficits can be easily missed if other significant neurological deficits are absent.

Evaluation of Role of Prognostic Factors on Hearing Outcome in Unilateral Idiopathic Sudden Onset Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Introduction: Owing to its uncertain and multiple possible etiologies, use of multiple empirical treatment regimens and possibility of spontaneous recovery, it becomes important to look for the possible prognostic factors affecting the outcome of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Material and methods: This prospective observational study was conducted with the primary aim of analyzing the role of various possible prognostic factors on the outcome of idiopathic SSNHL including demographic (Age, gender), audio-vestibular (Pre-treatment hearing loss in the affected ear, hearing in the contralateral ear, time elapse between onset of hearing loss and start of treatment, type of hearing loss in term of frequencies affected), presence of tinnitus / vertigo and Comorbidities (Diabetes, Hypothyroidism & Deranged lipid profile/ dyslipidemia). Result: The absence of vertigo and tinnitus led to better hearing outcomes while raised HbA1c levels, deranged lipids and thyroid profiles adversely affected the outcome. Conclusion: Vertigo, tinnitus, raised HbA1c levels, deranged lipids and thyroid profiles are possible negative prognostic factors. Better pretreatment hearing levels in the affected and unaffected ears prompted improved recovery.

Depletion of CD4 and CD8 T Cells Reduces Acute Disease and Is Not Associated with Hearing Loss in ML29-Infected STAT1-/- Mice.

Lassa virus (LASV) is a zoonotic virus endemic to western Africa that can cause a potentially lethal and hemorrhagic disease, Lassa fever (LF). Survivors suffer a myriad of sequelae, most notably sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), the mechanism of which remains unclear. Unfortunately, studies aiming to identify the mechanism of these sequelae are limited due to the biosafety level 4 (BSL4) requirements of LASV itself. ML29, a reassortant virus proposed as an experimental vaccine candidate against LASV, is potentially an ideal surrogate model of LF in STAT1-/- mice due to similar phenotype in these animals. We intended to better characterize ML29 pathogenesis and potential sequelae in this animal model. Our results indicate that while both CD4 and CD8 T cells are responsible for acute disease in ML29 infection, ML29 induces significant hearing loss in a mechanism independent of either CD4 or CD8 T cells. We believe that this model could provide valuable information for viral-associated hearing loss in general.

Characteristics of patients with sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss: observational study

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is considered as acute onset hearing disturbance characterized by hearing loss of greater than 30 decibels.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This retrospective research included data from 83 hospitalized patients (92 ears) and was conducted in a regional multidisciplinary children's medical centre between January 2014 and December 2019. We performed examinations of the eardrum as well as cranial nerves.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Among the 92 ears with SNHL, 8 ears (8.7%) in age group of 2-18 years, 33 ears (35.9%) in the group of 19-30 years, 30 (32.6%) and 21 ears (22.8%) represented the age groups of 31-65 and those aged over 65 years respectively. Hearing loss in 5 ears (5,4%) was rated as light, in 7 ears (7.6%) as moderate, in 14 ears (15.2%) as severe, and 66 ears (71.7%) out of the 92 had profound degree of hearing loss. Early treatment of SNHL was positive predictive factor for recovery (OR=2.54, 95% CI 1.09-5.91, p=0.03). The presence of tinnitus was also strongly linked with better recovery outcomes while not significantly associated (OR=2.59, 95% CI 0.91-7.37, p=0.07).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In the course of our research, we found that 11.9% of patients made a full recovery, while the total recovery rate was 42.3%. Positive prognostic markers for hearing recovery were early treatment and a strong trend was observed with the presence of tinnitus.</p>

1010 Audit of Acute Management of Sudden Onset Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Streamlining of Local Management Pathway

Abstract Aim Sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) presents infrequently to ENT services in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Although ENT UK guidelines are in place for the management of SSNHL, the practicalities of organising these cases within our department can be challenging to junior staff leading to variation in time to review and timings of intervention. We Aimed to assessed current local practice in comparison compare it to national ENT UK guidelines Method Retrospective audit of 6 months data set recording management pathway of patients presenting with SSNHL to Rapid Access Clinic of Royal Aberdeen Infirmary Hospital. Electronic patient records were searched for: time of referral, duration of symptoms, times to first ENT review, intervention and audiogram, and timings and management during subsequent reviews. Results Seven patients meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and included in the audit. Average times from referral were calculated including time from referral to intervention (1.47 days), from referral to first ENT review (3.82 days), from referral to first audiogram (4.43 says). Average time from presentation to starting oral steroids was very efficient of just 0.33 days and average time from symptom onset to oral steroids initiation was 7.5 days suggesting late patient presentation. Conclusions The data gather helped our department to reinforce management pathway of SSNHL as per ENT UK guidelines and improved the way urgent audiograms are organised in the hospital. It also emphasised the importance of performing tuning fork test to determine the nature of hearing loss when audiogram is not immediately available.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Coronavirus Disease-2019

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing global pandemic exerting considerable strain on the health-care system. Sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) among patients with COVID-19 had been reported sparingly in the literature. Hearing loss can be easily overlooked in intensive care settings and establishing diagnosis can also be challenging. Proposed causes include injury to inner ear structures, cochlear nerve, or auditory brainstem. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is recommended to avoid long-term morbidity. All patients presenting with sudden-onset hearing loss should be screened for COVID-19. Here, we report a case of COVID-19 patient with SSNHL and how the hearing level is determined.

Can isolated sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and idiopathic acute facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) be symptoms of COVID-19?

ObjectivesThe symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of presentation mainly include fever, cough, respiratory distress and myalgia. On the other hand, as neurological symptoms, disruption of taste and smell and cerebrovascular pathologies are well-known, whereas other neurological symptoms and signs are being newly recognized. Sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and idiopathic acute facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) are otologic emergencies that are frequently encountered by otorhinolaryngology specialists. Although there are many articles describing SSNHL and Bell's palsy in the literature, the literature describing their relationship to COVID-19 is limited. In our study, we aimed to present the neuro-otologic relationship of SSNHL and Bell's palsy with COVID-19. Material and methodsThe pretreatment real-time oronasopharyngeal PCR tests, COVID-19 symptomatology and COVID-19 infection statuses of patients who presented to our clinic with isolated SSNHL and Bell's palsy between April 2020 and April 2021 were questioned, and the data of the patients were collected. Throughout their treatment, the patients were followed-up in terms of COVID-19 infection. This is a prospective study. Moreover, to observe the change in the incidence, the data of patients visiting between January 2019 and January 2020 were also collected. The data of the patients were statistically analyzed using SPSS. ResultsThe study included a total of 177 patients. The SSNHL group consisted of 91 patients, and the Bell's palsy group consisted of 86 patients. Neither group showed a statistically significant difference in comparison to the year without the pandemic in terms of the patient numbers (incidence), sex, age, morbidity, response to treatment or social habits. There was a statistically significant difference in age only in the Bell's palsy group, but this difference was not medically significant. ConclusionAs a result of our study, we did not observe a relationship between COVID-19 and cases of SSNHL and Bell's palsy. It is recommended to apply standard otologic treatment to isolated SSNHL and Bell's palsy patients whose association with COVID-19 is not determined.

Hearing loss in a post COVID-19 patient

<p class="abstract">With the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a myriad of long-term complications in post-COVID patients. In these patients, one of the rare but dreaded symptoms reported is sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) that has been reported mostly during active infection. We followed up with these patients in our outpatient department and came across one patient of SNHL. We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar but couldn’t come across any such care report from India. We are hereby reporting the first case of SNHL in a post-hospitalised COVID-19 from India presenting after 3 months of hospital discharge, with no history prior otologic illness, intake of ototoxic drugs or any head injury. Post-COVID patients can present with weird symptoms including hearing loss apart from other commonly reported post COVID 19 sequelae.</p>

High level of IgE in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss: A predictor for recurrence and Meniere Disease transformation

BackgroundAutoimmunity may play an important role in sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss. However, little is known about the relationship between immunoglobulin E (IgE) and acute low-tone sensorinerual hearing loss (ALHL). ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between IgE level and endolymphatic hydrops and outcomes of ALHL. MethodsA total of 242 subjects with sudden onset hearing loss, including 115 with ALHL and 127 with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL), were included in this study. Peripheral venous blood samples of 242 subjects were collected for detection. Clinical data, IgE level, and distribution of allergens were compared between the ALHL and ISSHL groups. The ALHL group received an electrocochleogram (ECochG) test and a follow-up in the outpatient unit or by telephone to evaluate outcomes. ResultsCompared to the values in the ISSHL group, a significantly younger onset age (42.30±14.33 years old), higher female onset proportion (72/115, 62.61%), increased total IgE level (median: 66.47, interquartile range: 24.56, 180.96, IU/mL) and specific IgE level (median: 9.42, interquartile range: 1.42, 22.23 IU/mL) were noted in the ALHL group. A clear difference in allergen distribution was noted between the ALHL and ISSHL groups (p=.001). Total IgE and specific IgE levels were factors that contributed to the SP/AP ratio in the electrocochleogram (ECochG) (R2=0.413) in ALHL group. Finally, during the follow-up (17.61±3.46 months) for the ALHL group, 37 subjects recurred, and 17 subjects developed Meniere Disease. In the ROC curve for ALHL recurrence, the area under the curve (AUC) of total IgE was 0.709 and that of specific IgE was 0.679. For MD transformation, the AUC of total IgE was 0.736 and that of specific IgE was 0.716. ConclusionsHigh IgE levels correlated with an enhanced SP/AP ratio in ALHL. High IgE levels could be used as a predictor of ALHL recurrence and MD transformation.

Sudden Onset Sensorineural Hearing Loss Post Oral Contraception: A Case Report

Sudden onset hearing loss (SOHL) causes great concern to patients. It can be sensorineural or conductive hearing loss. Sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is considered an otological emergency. The incidence of SSNHL is 5-20 per 100,00. Although individuals of all ages can be affected, the peak incidence is between the fifth and sixth decade of life. Nearly all cases are unilateral; less than 2% of patients have bilateral involvement (Acipayam, Kocak and Elbistanli). This paper describes a case of a 43 years old female presented with sudden onset unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) after oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use. The relation of OCP use with different pathophysiological theories of SSNHL is discussed.

Study of clinical profile of patients with sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss at a tertiary hospital

Study of clinical profile of patients with sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss at a tertiary hospital

Temporospatial aggregation of three individuals with idiopathic sudden onset low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

Objective To report temporospatial aggregation of low-tone sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and provide plausible aetiological explanations. Design Retrospective analysis of records of patients, including medical notes, clinic letters, audiology reports, blood test and imaging results after occurrence of low-tone SSNHL. Study sample Three patients working in the same department and presenting with low-frequency SSNHL between March and July 2019. Results There was complete symptom resolution in two of the three cases, one treated with oral and one with intratympanic steroid administration, whereas low-tone SSNHL persisted in the third case. Probability of events occurring randomly was calculated and it was suggested that the three cases were highly unlikely to be independent events. Conclusions This is the first report of temporospatial aggregation of acute low-tone idiopathic SSNHL. Our findings support that an environmental or transmissible agent could underlie aetiology in at least a proportion of such cases.

Sordera súbita idiopática. Revisión de 58 casos

Objective: Sudden deafness is defined as sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss in less than 72 hours, with loss of 30 or more decibels (dB) at three consecutive frequencies in tonal audiometry. In 90% of the cases it is not possible to determine its etiology giving rise to what is known as idiopathic sudden deafness. Our objective is To describe patient’s characteristics with diagnosed ISHL in the last twenty years, to identify prognostic factors and show the results in regards of treatment. Method: Retrospective descriptive study of 58 patients, diagnosed with ISHL between 1995-2016. Level of hearing loss was determined as well as the degree of posterior recovery. Cardiovascular risk factors were studied, in addition to association with other symptoms, the onset of treatment, severity of hearing loss and morphology of the audiometric curve. Results: No association was found between hearing recovery and different cardiovascular risk factors. 24.1% of the patients presented a complete improvement. Partial improvement and mild improvement were obtained in 17.2% each. 41.5% did not obtain any improvement with a worse hearing prognosis in those patients with profound hearing loss. 100% of recovery was obtained in subjects with ascending audiometric morphology. The most common associated symptom was tinnitus. Accompanying vestibular symptoms as an initial manifestation determine a worse hearing prognosis. Starting time from the emergence of hypoacusis until the instauration of systemic (IV) treatment was not related to a better prognosis. 54% of the patients did not show any improvements with ITD and systemic treatment compared to a 75% in those treated exclusively with systemic treatment. This was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Vestibular involvement, hypoacusis severity and hearing curve morphology are determinant prognostic factors. Although there are good outcomes published using ITD as recovery treatment, our experience does not determine an evident benefit of its use on subjects with ISHL.

Convalescence of auditory brainstem response following idiopathic sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss

Convalescence of auditory brainstem response following idiopathic sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss

Immune-Mediated Systemic Vasculitis as the Proposed Cause of Sudden-Onset Sensorineural Hearing Loss following Lassa Virus Exposure in Cynomolgus Macaques.

Lassa virus (LASV) causes a severe, often fatal hemorrhagic disease in regions in Africa where the disease is endemic, and approximately 30% of patients develop sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss after recovering from acute disease. The causal mechanism of hearing loss in LASV-infected patients remains elusive. Here, we report findings after closely examining the chronic disease experienced by surviving macaques assigned to LASV exposure control groups in two different studies. All nonhuman primates (NHPs) developed typical signs and symptoms of Lassa fever, and seven succumbed during the acute phase of disease. Three NHPs survived beyond the acute phase and became chronically ill but survived to the study endpoint, 45 days postexposure. All three of these survivors displayed continuous disease symptoms, and apparent hearing loss was observed using daily subjective measurements, including response to auditory stimulation and tuning fork tests. Objective measurements of profound unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were confirmed for two of the survivors by brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) analysis. Histologic examination of inner ear structures and other tissues revealed the presence of severe vascular lesions consistent with systemic vasculitides. These systemic immune-mediated vascular disorders have been associated with sudden hearing loss. Other vascular-specific damage was also observed to be present in many of the sampled tissues, and we were able to identify persistent virus in the perivascular tissues in the brain tissue of survivors. Serological analyses of two of the three survivors revealed the presence of autoimmune disease markers. Our findings point toward an immune-mediated etiology for Lassa fever-associated sudden-onset hearing loss and lay the foundation for developing potential therapies to prevent and/or cure Lassa fever-associated sudden-onset hearing loss.IMPORTANCE Lassa virus is one of the most common causes of viral hemorrhagic fever. A frequent, but as yet unexplained, consequence of infection with Lassa virus is acute, sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss in one or both ears. Deafness is observed in approximately 30% of surviving Lassa fever patients, an attack rate that is approximately 300% higher than mumps virus infection, which was previously thought to be the most common cause of virus-induced deafness. Here, we provide evidence from Lassa virus-infected cynomolgus macaques implicating an immune-mediated vasculitis syndrome underlying the pathology of Lassa fever-associated deafness. These findings could change the way human Lassa fever patients are medically managed in order to prevent deafness by including diagnostic monitoring of human survivors for onset of vasculitides via available imaging methods and/or other diagnostic markers of immune-mediated vascular disease.

Trough-Shaped Audiograms Are Common in Patients with Acoustic Neuroma and Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Acoustic neuroma sometimes presents with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss as a primary symptom. We investigated 848 untreated cases that included 20 cases with acoustic neuroma with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss and 828 cases without acoustic neuroma. Fourteen of the 20 acoustic neuroma and 90 of the 828 cases of sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss showed a trough-shaped audiogram with the greatest amount of hearing loss in the mid-frequency range. The incidence of a trough-shaped audiogram was significantly higher in patients with acoustic neuroma than in those without (p < 0.01). This study suggests that a trough audiogram is a significant finding in patients with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss and indicates the presence of acoustic neuroma.

Mitigating noise-induced hearing loss after blast injury

Introduction Whilst hearing injuries are not life threatening they may have a profound impact on the victim’s ability to understand and interact with the world around them. Noise-induced hearing loss is a common occupational injury and hearing impairment as a consequence of noise and blast exposure remains the most common injury in both war and peace for military personnel. Health and Safety legislation has made an impact and in the future innovative approaches to mitigate against acoustic injury sustained in the work place will be fundamental. For the Armed Forces, noise exposure during conflict is unpredictable. Furthermore, recent events in the UK and elsewhere have highlighted the potential civilian impact of blast injuries on hearing in the acute setting. No well-established protocol for the management of acute, blast-induced hearing injury currently exists. Methods Narrative review is supported by electronic literature searches of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Synthesis of published literature and production of flow charts for the acute setting are part of the Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response programme. Results Whilst there is a lack of high-quality randomised controlled trials, there are a number of studies that may inform our choice of acute management. Animal studies of acute acoustic trauma have shown the potential protective effects of corticosteroids. Human data may be extrapolated from sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss where again there is evidence for the use of corticosteroids. Less certainty exists around the use of other treatments including antioxidants. Intratympanic administration of corticosteroids may be superior to oral administration, particularly in the salvage setting. No evidence exists specifically pertaining to the paediatric population. Conclusion Prompt identification of any hearing deficit followed by administration of glucocorticoids either orally or via intratympanic preparations is the mainstay of management. Further research is needed to identify the optimum acute management.

Lassa fever-induced sensorineural hearing loss: A neglected public health and social burden.

Although an association between Lassa fever (LF) and sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was confirmed clinically in 1990, the prevalence of LF-induced SNHL in endemic countries is still underestimated. LF, a viral hemorrhagic fever disease caused by Lassa virus (LASV), is endemic in West Africa, causing an estimated 500,000 cases and 5,000 deaths per year. Sudden-onset SNHL, one complication of LF, occurs in approximately one-third of survivors and constitutes a neglected public health and social burden. In the endemic countries, where access to hearing aids is limited, SNHL results in a decline of the quality of life for those affected. In addition, hearing loss costs Nigeria approximately 43 million dollars per year. The epidemiology of LF-induced SNHL has not been characterized well. The complication of LF induced by SNHL is also an important consideration for vaccine development and treatments. However, research into the mechanism has been hindered by the lack of autopsy samples and relevant small animal models. Recently, the first animal model that mimics the symptoms of SNHL associated with LF was developed. Preliminary data from the new animal model as well as the clinical case studies support the mechanism of immune-mediated injury that causes SNHL in LF patients. This article summarizes clinical findings of hearing loss in LF patients highlighting the association between LASV infection and SNHL as well as the potential mechanism(s) for LF-induced SNHL. Further research is necessary to identify the mechanism and the epidemiology of LF-induced SNHL.