Acute bilateral central deafness following cardioembolic ischemic stroke: insights from EEG spectral and connectivity analysis.

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability, with outcomes depending on the lesion's location and severity. While motor and language deficits are common, rare manifestations like central auditory dysfunction can be equally debilitating. This case report presents a 57-year-old woman who developed acute bilateral central deafness following a cardioembolic ischemic stroke. To investigate underlying mechanisms, advanced EEG analyses were conducted, including spectral power analysis and eLORETA-based functional connectivity, across key frequency bands. The Small World index was applied to evaluate changes in brain network organization over 6 weeks. Results revealed disrupted connectivity in bilateral auditory and associative cortices, with significant spectral power alterations. Alpha and gamma bands showed distinct recovery dynamics, while connectivity metrics indicated a shift toward global integration, possibly compensating for local disconnections. These findings demonstrate the utility of EEG biomarkers in monitoring post-stroke neural reorganization and support their potential role in guiding rehabilitation for sensory deficits.