Hearing, Vestibular Disorders & Otology — (Multi-Study Review)

Curated by Dr. Rohan Navelkar – Recent Advances in ENT

Studies reviewed from Oct–Dec 2024

1. Diabetes & Hearing Loss — Stronger Evidence Emerges

A large medical database showed type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with SNHL, especially in older adults.

Combined with other findings:

• Hyperglycemia affects cochlear microcirculation

• Diabetic patients show delayed recovery in SSNHL
  
  

2. Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) — New Prognostic Markers

Independent predictors of poor prognosis include:

• Presentation after ≥7 days

• NLR (neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio) elevation

• Associated vertigo
  
  

Clinical takeaway:
Early treatment remains crucial; NLR may become a simple outpatient prognostic tool.

3. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Helps SSNHL Recovery

Medgami-reported study showed significantly improved hearing outcomes with adjunctive HBOT.

4. Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline

Two important findings:

• Untreated HL increases Alzheimer’s risk

• Dementia patients have extremely low hearing-aid use rates
  
  

Clinical takeaway:
Hearing rehabilitation should be considered a dementia-prevention strategy.

5. Noise Exposure Accelerates Age-Related Hearing Loss

Repeated low-intensity noise increased cochlear inflammation through the RAGE pathway.

6. Injury Risk & Hearing Loss

Population studies highlight increased injury rates in adults with HL—likely due to spatial awareness impairment.

7. Vestibular Highlights

a. BPPV + PPPD integrated management

Combined vestibular therapy and counseling offers best outcomes.

b. Paraneoplastic fluctuating SNHL

Lymphoma can present as bilateral fluctuating hearing loss—important clinical pearl.

Keywords

diabetes sensorineural hearing loss 2024, SSNHL prognosis NLR, HBOT for hearing loss, noise induced cochlear injury RAGE, hearing loss dementia link