Reversible sensorineural hearing loss linked to chronic allergic rhinitis

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is traditionally regarded as irreversible. Recent insights suggest that allergic inflammation may contribute to reversible SNHL in select cases. We report a 58-year-old woman with progressive bilateral SNHL who underwent audiometric evaluations and allergy testing. Treatment with intranasal corticosteroids, oral prednisone, and antihistamines resulted in significant improvement, with audiometry showing recovery from bilateral SNHL (right ear, 41.2 dB; left ear, 53.7 dB) to near-normal thresholds (right ear, 10 dB; left ear, 23.7 dB). The improvement was sustained over 3 years. IgE testing confirmed sensitization to multiple aeroallergens, supporting a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. This case supports the hypothesis that allergic inflammation may contribute to reversible SNHL and highlights the need to include allergy screening in ear, nose, and throat evaluations.