Neurologist named hearing-reducing diseases of the nervous system

Hearing loss can be associated not only with ear diseases, but also with damage to the central nervous system. Ekaterina Demyanovskaya, an expert at the Hemotest Laboratory and a neurologist, told Izvestia on March 3, World Hearing Day, about the neurological pathologies that cause this symptom.

According to the specialist, one of the common neurological causes of hearing impairment is an auditory nerve neuroma, which is also called vestibular schwannoma. As a rule, the disease develops slowly and in the early stages is manifested by hearing loss on the one hand, the appearance of constant noise, hum or ringing in the ear.

"As the tumor grows, dizziness, a feeling of instability, and problems with coordination of movements may occur. Since the changes increase gradually and remain moderate for a long time, many people do not attach importance to them, attributing the symptoms to overwork, stress, or age-related characteristics. It is precisely because of such "hidden" dynamics that the disease is often detected at later stages," Demyanovskaya explained.

Hearing loss can also occur with multiple sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the pathways of the central nervous system are affected. If demyelination (damage to the lining of nerve fibers) affects the areas responsible for hearing, episodes of sudden decrease, distortion of sounds or "stuffiness" without signs of ear inflammation are possible. According to the doctor, in such cases, other neurological manifestations are usually present — numbness of the trunk and limbs, weakness in the arms and legs, as well as visual disturbances, including double vision.

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"Stroke can also be accompanied by hearing loss, especially if the structures of the brain stem in the area of the auditory nuclei are affected. In such cases, hearing loss is often combined with dizziness, with a massive stroke, there is weakness in the extremities on the one hand, speech disorders, and facial asymmetry. This condition requires emergency medical care," the specialist said.

In addition, as the doctor emphasized, Meniere's disease requires special attention — a disease at the junction of neurology and otorhinolaryngology. It is manifested by bouts of dizziness, hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of internal pressure. In the absence of therapy, the condition may progress.

"The reason for contacting a doctor should be not only persistent hearing loss, but also unilateral tinnitus, sudden hearing loss, recurrent dizziness, concomitant numbness of the face or limbs, double vision. It is especially important to be alert if hearing has deteriorated dramatically and is accompanied by other neurological symptoms," concluded Demyanovskaya.

Lyubov Stankevich, Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia on February 6 about the hidden risks of common acute respiratory viral infections. In the current season, according to her, patients who have had influenza A (H3N2) have often experienced middle ear inflammation and hearing loss. Similar complaints have been received from different regions of the country, and these are not isolated cases.

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