Echoes of mumps: exploring sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

To investigate the role of intratympanic steroids and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) following acute viral mumps illness. Mumps is commonly associated with fever, headache, muscle aches, and parotid gland swelling but can also lead to severe complications such as SNHL, resulting from inner ear or auditory nerve damage. Eight cases of sudden-onset SSNHL of severe to profound nature presented in our OPD. Two patients were under 15 years old, and the rest were middle-aged. Treatment included oral steroids, antibiotics, and intratympanic steroids (injection methylprednisolone). Despite regular PTA evaluations, none of the patients showed improvement in hearing loss. The actual number of mumps cases is hard to determine, as many may not seek medical attention, and clinical diagnosis can be inaccurate. The incidence of mumps-related deafness is uncertain and often unilateral, which can be overlooked. If deafness develops later, identifying the cause can be challenging. The widespread use of the MMR vaccine has significantly reduced mumps incidence and related health issues, including SSNHL. Vaccination protects individuals and contributes to herd immunity, lowering disease prevalence.