Use of behavioural and physiological hearing tests for early detection of asymptomatic sensorineural hearing loss in systemic lupus erythematosus

Otologic manifestations of autoimmune disorders is a rare disease entity. Later the presentation, worse the prognosis in such cases especially since the pathogenesis is unclear. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with several comorbidities, including hearing and vestibular disorders Ear damage in SLE patients has been occasionally reported. However, the frequency and the mechanisms of ear involvement are not well documented. Andonopoulus et al. in a controlled study showed that 23 out of 40 SLE patients (57.5 per cent) had impaired hearing, which was not associated with the presence of vasculitis, other disease systemic manifestations, or with the presence of anti ds-DNA antibodies. They concluded that these findings are probably attributed to a possible subclinical cochlear hydrops. In a comparative study, Hearing Loss was found in about one fourth of SLE patients. The majority of patients had a SNHL affecting the middle and mainly the high frequencies. Audiometric tests have shown that more than half of SLE patients have chronic sensorineural hearing impairment, often asymptomatic.