Sensorineural hearing loss caused by a high jugular bulb

Abstract

A 15 – year – old female presented with sensorineural hearing loss related to a high jugular bulb. She noticed temporary worsening of her right hearing with mild dizziness when her neck was compressed whereas she noticed no change in her left hearing. An audiogram showed temporary worsening of low tone bone – conduction on such occasions. A large jugular bulb covering the right round window was observed through the perforation. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a large jugular bulb obliterating the round window niche. Deterioration of bone conduction during neck compression was thought to be caused by the protrusion of the jugular bulb into the inner ear via the round window. This case suggested the possibility of sensorineural hearing loss due to the jugular bulb. As in the present case, jugular bulb or vein -related ear disorders should be examined by neck compression.