SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS;

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the etiology of SNHLin young adults between 18-45 years of age. Study design: Prospective study. Place andduration: The study was conducted at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi from Jan 2012-13. Patients and methods: Patients presenting with hearing loss/ear blockage and additionalsymptoms were selected. Psychiatric problems were excluded from study. Patient’s problemwas analyzed through a protocol consisting of history, clinical examination, lab investigations,radiology and audiology. Results: The results of 25 patients were as follows: The age rangedfrom 18-45 years with marked preponderance of patients in 31-45 years age group amounting to60% of the total cases.18-20 years groups were least affected. The incidence of SNHL graduallyincreased in older age groups. There were more female patients 56% of the total as comparedto males, which were 44%. Bilateral SNHL was more 72% with compared to unilateral losswhich was 28%. The mode of onset was insidious in 72% cases while sudden loss was 28%.The duration of symptoms ranged between 3 days to 15 years. While fluctuation of hearing losswas observed in one case (4%). The nature of problem ranged from mild to severe. Associatedsymptoms were present in different percentages. The hearing loss ranged from 10-80 decibel.Trauma was the major cause 28% followed by infections in 16% with various causes in variouspercentages. Conclusion: The trauma in the form of surgery, blast injury and occupationalnoise is the major cause of SNHL in adults ranging between 18-45 years of age. Males are moreaffected because of trauma than the females and younger groups more than older groups.