Informes de casos clínicos y médicos

A Case of a Sudden Hearing Loss in a Patient with Undiagnosed Severe Sleep Apnea: More than Just a Coincidence

Abstract

Sana Toujani, Rym Abida, Amira El ouni, Thara Larbi, Cherifa Abdelkefi and Salwa Hamzaoui

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder established as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cases of hearing impairment associated with sleep apnea have been described and multiple studies have tried to find a significant relationship between both disorders. Many pathophysiological pathway mechanisms have subsequently been suggested. We present a case of a 32-year-old male Tunisian patient with no relevant pathological history a part from smoking and obesity, who presented with a sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). He had a two-year-history of asthenia and daytime sleepiness. Physical examination was normal and so were the laboratory findings. Further investigations concluded that it was idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss and severe obstructive sleep apnea. The patient was treated with a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP). The asthenia and sleepiness notably improved. The right hearing impairment remained stable with a normal left hearing function.