Study of Incidence of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Allergic Rhinitis

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common inflammatory disorder of the nasal mucosa that may have systemic effects extending to the auditory system. Recent studies suggest that allergic inflammation may contribute to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), but its incidence among AR patients remains under-recognized. The present study was conducted to determine the incidence of sensorineural hearing loss in patients with allergic rhinitis and to assess its association with demographic and clinical variables.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 210 patients with clinically and allergologically confirmed allergic rhinitis attending the ENT outpatient department. Detailed otological examination and pure tone audiometry were performed to assess hearing thresholds. Patients with middle ear disease, noise exposure, or systemic disorders affecting hearing were excluded. Statistical analysis was done using chi-square and t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Results: Among the 210 patients, 19.5% had SNHL, mostly mild (13.3%), with no cases of severe loss. SNHL was slightly more frequent in perennial AR (21.1%) than in seasonal AR (17.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). No significant gender difference was observed (p = 0.47). The mean age of the study population was 29.1 ± 8.1 years, and a gradual increase in SNHL prevalence with age was noted. These findings indicate that subclinical SNHL can occur even in young adults with AR, possibly due to prolonged allergic inflammation affecting cochlear function

Conclusion: Nearly one-fifth of patients with allergic rhinitis exhibit subclinical or mild sensorineural hearing loss, indicating possible cochlear involvement due to allergic inflammation. Routine audiological evaluation should be considered in the management of allergic rhinitis to ensure early detection and intervention.