Can labyrinthectomy for Manier's disease impact hearing in contralateral ear in long-term?

A recent study identified a significant risk for unilateral Meniere's disease (MD) patients in developing low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss over the long term. The findings of the study were published in American Journal of Otolaryngology. 

The study, spanning from 2008 to 2012, enrolled patients who underwent labyrinth removal as part of MD management or translabyrinthine (TLAB) acoustic neuroma resection. Pure tone averages (PTA) were utilized to measure long-term hearing changes, with a specific focus on low-frequency PTA (250, 500, and 1000 Hz).

Comparing the outcomes between MD patients and the TLAB group, the results were striking. MD patients experienced a notably higher degree of hearing loss during the follow-up period in comparison to the TLAB group. The data revealed that MD patients exhibited a low-frequency PTA loss of 7.54 ± 2.11 dB, while the TLAB group showed a considerably lower loss of 2.39 ± 1.10 dB (p = 0.035).

The most compelling discovery was the 28.6% of MD patients who encountered a substantial increase of ≥30 dB in low-frequency PTA, indicating a significant hearing deterioration. Astonishingly, none of the individuals in the TLAB group crossed this hearing loss threshold, underscoring the distinct vulnerability of MD patients to this specific hearing impairment.

As the findings illuminate the heightened risk of MD patients developing low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss a decade post-labyrinthectomy, the implications for clinical practice are evident. Regular audiometric assessments are strongly recommended for MD patients following labyrinth removal. This proactive approach will enable clinicians to monitor hearing changes effectively and intervene promptly if significant deterioration is detected.

The study not only contributes to a deeper understanding of the hearing outcomes associated with labyrinthectomy for MD but also provides a basis for refining patient care strategies. The insights gained from this research emphasize the necessity of personalized, long-term monitoring plans for MD patients, with a focus on preserving their auditory health and enhancing their quality of life.

Source:

Babu, K. C., Fritz, C. G., Choi, J. S., Casale, G. G., Fan, C. J., Lucas, J. C., & Babu, S. C. (2023). Does labyrinthectomy have an impact on hearing in the contralateral ear during long-term follow-up? In American Journal of Otolaryngology (Vol. 44, Issue 6, p. 103989). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.103989