One mechanism of sudden sensorineural hearing loss after sildenafil and sexual activity.

Abstract

Objectives: A case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss following use of sildenafil was examined in detail over a period of three days from first report to recovery.

Design: Case study. The subject presented with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and diplacusis a day after onset. Testing involved detailed interview, standard audiometry, detailed inter-octave audiometry, and measurement of detailed psychophysical frequency tuning curves during a two day recovery period.

Study sample: One male aged in his thirties with otherwise normal hearing.

Results: Although standard audiometry was within normal limits, detailed inter-octave audiometry and psychophysical frequency tuning curves were consistent with a punctate unilateral intra-cochlear lesion that resolved over a period of three days.

Conclusions: This is the first report of such a frequency-specific audiometric shift and diplacusis after sildenafil, and is not consistent with previous reports of direct ototoxic pharmacological effects. We propose that the lesion was most likely caused by a cochlear bleed, and may have been due to physical exertion rather than a direct pharmaceutical effect. The study highlights the important role of additional diagnostic testing that can be easily achieved in a clinical setting with minimal equipment.