Serum Melatonin Levels in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the serum melatonin levels of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).Methods:This study enrolled 22 patients with ISSNHL and 22 asymptomatic healthy volunteers. The subjects underwent pure tone audiometry and serum melatonin levels were measured.Results:The patient group was composed of 12 women (mean age, 46.41±7.8) and 10 men (mean age, 48±6.46), and the control group was composed of 12 women (mean age, 40.25±5.28) and 10 men (mean age, 38.4±27.08). The serum melatonin levels were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group (p≤0.001). A statistically significant strong negative correlation was found between serum melatonin level and severity of hearing loss (r=−0.644; p=0.001).Conclusion:Serum melatonin levels of patients with ISSNHL were lower than controls. A statistically significant strong negative correlation was found between serum melatonin level and the severity of hearing loss.

Keywords

• sudden hearing loss
• melatonin
• antioxidant