Widespread use of antimicrobial drugs in the management of otitis media has significantly reduced the incidence of labyrinthitis nowadays. Cases of tympanogenic labyrinthitis following acute otitis media have rarely been reported in recent literature on otolaryngology. We report an unusual case of tympanogenic labyrinthitis that presented with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) following acute otitis media in an adult who had no previous otological complaints. An audiogram revealed SNHL with pure tone threshold of 43.7 dB in the left ear. MRI was helpful to identify the inflammatory change of the membranous labyrinth. The patient's hearing returned to normal after treatment. The definite diagnosis of serous labyrinthitis was established retrospectively.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/diagnosis/*etiology/therapy ; Humans ; Labyrinthitis/*complications/therapy ; Otitis Media, Suppurative/*complications/therapy ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Tympanic Membrane