Association of multiple sclerosis and sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) may affect other cranial nerves besides the optic nerve. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), possibly caused by a deficit in the auditory tract, including the vestibulocochlear nerve, is sometimes associated with MS. Objectives We aimed to assess the incidence of SSHL among MS patients, its frequency as an initial symptom of MS, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings associated with SSHL in MS. Methods We collected retrospectively all patients diagnosed with MS and SSHL at the Helsinki University Hospital between 2004 and 2014. Patients with both diagnoses were re-evaluated using hospital medical records, audiograms and head MRI scans. Results A total of 2736 patients were diagnosed with MS, 1581 patients with SSHL, and 18 patients (0.7% of all MS patients) with both; two patients presented with SSHL as an initial symptom of MS. The annual incidence of SSHL was 59.8/100 000 (95% confidence interval (CI) 37.7–94.9) in MS patients, and 12.4/100 000 (95% CI 11.8–13.0) in the normal population. Conclusion SSHL is a rare symptom of MS and is even less frequent as an initial symptom. Its incidence in MS patients, however, markedly exceeds that in the normal population.