Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T07:39:07.526Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Audiological manifestations of allergic rhinitis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2011

Satbir Singh ,
Anu N Nagarkar ,
Sandeep Bansal ,
Dharm Vir  and
Ashok K Gupta
Satbir Singh
Affiliation:
Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Anu N Nagarkar*
Affiliation:
Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Sandeep Bansal
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Dharm Vir
Affiliation:
Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Ashok K Gupta
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Anu N Nagarkar, Speech and Hearing Unit, Room 441, 4th Floor, ENT Department, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India E-mail: nitinanurishabh@yahoo.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

Allergic rhinitis is associated with excess specific immunoglobulin E. Inner ear involvement (via both cellular and humoral immunity) is poorly understood, but appears to arise from the endolymphatic sac and duct.

Aims:

To assess the otological and audiological status of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Methodology:

Thirty allergic rhinitis patients (14 men, 16 women; age 17–45 years, mean 31 years) and 20 controls (12 men, eight women; age 21–42 years, mean 27 years) underwent audiological investigation.

Results:

All study group patients had sensorineural (rather than conductive) hearing loss, worse at high frequencies. All had abnormal transient evoked otoacoustic emissions and 27 had abnormal distortion product otoacoustic emissions. All had a statistically significantly prolonged wave I latency, and shortened absolute wave I–III and I–V interpeak latencies, compared with controls.

Conclusion:

Allergic rhinitis patients had a higher prevalence of hearing loss and otoacoustic emission abnormalities than controls. The endolymphatic sac can process antigens and produce its own local antibody response; the resulting inflammatory mediators and toxic products may interfere with hair cell function. Additional research is needed to determine the clinical value of audiometry and otoacoustic emission testing in allergic rhinitis.

Keywords

Allergic RhinitisAudiometry, Pure ToneOtoacoustic EmissionsEvoked PotentialsAuditory, Brain StemHair Cells, Auditory, OuterEndolymphatic Sac
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 9 , September 2011 , pp. 906 - 910
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Skoner, DP. Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, definition, and diagnosis. J. Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:S2–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Altermatt, HJ, Gebbers, JO, Mullar, C. Human endolymphatic sac: evidence for a role in inner ear immune defence. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 1990;52:143–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Harris, JP. Immunology of inner ear: response of the inner ear to antigen challenge. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1983;91:18–23CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Harris, JP. Immunology of inner ear: evidence of local antibody production. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1984;93:157–62CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Harris, JP. Experimental autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss. Laryngoscope 1987;97:63–76CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Brookes, GB. Circulating immune complex in Meniere's disease. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1986;112:536–40CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Silman, S, Silverman, CA. Basic audiologic testing. In: Silman, S, Silverman, CA, eds. Auditory Diagnosis Principles and Application. San Diego: Singular Publishing;1997:10–29Google Scholar
8Jerger, J. Clinical experience with impedance audiometry. Arch Otolaryngol 1970;92:311–24CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Derebery, MJ, Valenzuela, S. Meniere's syndrome and allergy. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1992;25:213–24Google ScholarPubMed
10Derebery, MJ, Berliner, KI. Prevalence of allergy in Meniere's disease. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1992;25:213–24Google Scholar
11Gibbs, SR, Mabry, RL, Roland, PS. Electrocochleographic changes after intranasal allergen challenge: a possible diagnostic tool in patients with Meniere's disease. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;12:283–4CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12Uno, K, Miyamura, K, Kanzaki, Y. Type I allergy in the inner ear of the guinea pig. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1992;101:78–81CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13Wackym, PA, Friberg, U, Linthicum, FH Jr.Human endolymphatic sac: morphologic evidence of immunologic function. Ann Otol Rhinol 1987;96:276–81CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14Wackym, PA, Friberg, U, Bagger-Sjonack, D, Rask-Ansersen, H. Human endolymphatic duct: possible mechanisms of endolymphatic outflow. Ann Rhinol Laryngol 1986;95:409–14CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15Derebery, MJ, Rao, VS, Siglock, TJ, Linthicum, FH, Nelson, RA. Meniere's disease an immune complex-mediated illness? Laryngoscope 1991;101:225–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed