98%
921
2 minutes
20
Progressive unilateral hearing loss (PUHL) in adolescents is uncommon and presents diagnostic challenges due to its varied etiologies, including infections, ototoxicity, congenital anomalies, and autoimmune conditions, though many cases remain idiopathic. We report a 16-year-old male with a history of COVID-19, dengue at age 14, and recurrent headaches, who developed left-sided hearing loss progressing to profound unilateral deafness. Audiometry confirmed sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) of 97 dB HL in the left ear and 35 dB HL in the right. Despite multiple evaluations, no definitive etiology was identified. Differential diagnoses included post-viral sequelae, congenital anomalies (e.g., Mondini dysplasia), and nasal obstruction, though insurance limitations restricted further testing. The patient discontinued hearing aid use due to limited benefit and experienced social withdrawal, impacting both academic performance and overall well-being. This case underscores the importance of early recognition and a systematic, multidisciplinary approach to PUHL, including imaging and genetic testing, given its potential impact on social development, mental health, and long-term outcomes.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12237498 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.85569 | DOI Listing |
On October 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally established a new category of hearing aids (HAs), now available over the counter (OTC).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObesity (Silver Spring)
September 2025
Laboratorio de Neurociencia Sensorial, Perceptual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de O'Higgins, Rancagua, Chile.
In recent years, it has been suggested that the development of obesity could affect the auditory system, altering its functionality and its ability to process sound. However, little research exists on the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying this relationship, especially in humans. This narrative review aims to highlight the research supporting the role of obesity as both an independent risk factor for hearing loss and as a condition that may exacerbate age-related hearing loss, providing an analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Ind Med
September 2025
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Field Studies and Engineering, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Background: Workers in industry settings are often exposed to complex noise, which poses a greater risk to hearing loss than continuous noise at equivalent energy levels. Previous studies have identified kurtosis as an essential metric for evaluating complex noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This study aimed to characterize the distribution of workers exposed to complex noise, examine the associations between kurtosis and changes in hearing thresholds at various frequencies, and explore kurtosis's role in estimating NIHL and its integration into occupational hearing loss prevention programs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurosci Bull
September 2025
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Organ Development and Regeneration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
The neurological manifestations of SHORT syndrome include intrauterine growth restriction, microcephaly, intellectual disability, hearing loss, and speech delay. SHORT syndrome is generally believed to be caused by PIK3R1 gene mutations and impaired PI3K-AKT activation. Recently, a clinical case report described a SHORT syndrome with a novel mutant in PRKCE gene encoding protein kinase Cε (PKCε).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBehav Brain Res
September 2025
School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
Tinnitus, the auditory perception of sound without an external environmental stimulus, affects 15% of the human population and is associated with hearing loss. Interestingly, anxiety may be a significant risk factor in tinnitus pathophysiology potentially due to underlying common neural circuits of the auditory and limbic systems. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of stress-induced anxiety on tinnitus development in a rat model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF