Hearing Loss and Blood Coagulation Disorders: A Review

Abstract

A relationship between microvascular disorders and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been widely proposed. The vascular hypothesis, theorized for the onset of sudden SNHL (SSNHL), is among the most acknowledged: a localized acute cochlear damage, of ischemic or haemorrhagic nature, could be considered a causative factor of SSNHL. The aim of this review is to assess (i) the effect on hearing in patients affected by blood coagulation disorders (prothrombotic or haemorrhagic) and (ii) the possible etiopathogenetic mechanisms of the related hearing loss. A PRISMA-compliant review was performed. Medline, Embase, and Cinahl databases were searched from inception to 31 January 2023, and a total of 14 studies have been included in the review. The available data suggest that it is possible to consider clotting disorders as a potential condition at risk for sensorineural hearing loss; in particular, coagulation tests and eventually the assessment of genetic and acquired prothrombotic factors should be recommended in patients with SSNHL. Also, an audiological evaluation should be recommended for patients with blood coagulation disorders presenting cochlear symptoms, especially in those suffering from clotting diseases.

Keywords

• sensorineural hearing loss
• sudden hearing loss
• inner ear disease
• blood coagulation disorders
• clotting
• bleeding