Serum fat-soluble vitamin levels may be related to sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Background: Few related studies reported yet the association between vitamins and the onset of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Objective: To explore the relationship between the serum levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E and the risk of SSNHL.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included 310 SSNHL patients and 154 people without risk of hearing loss. The demographic information of all participants like age, gender, body mass index, occupation, cigarette smoking or drinking status, etc. were recorded. The serum levels of vitamins A, D, and E were determined using the electrochemical method.

Results: The results indicated that serum vitamin D levels in SSNHL patients were significantly lower. Vitamin D deficiency was only observed in SSNHL group. Similarly, serum vitamin A levels in female SSNHL patients were significantly lower than the control group. Meanwhile, serum vitamin E levels in male SSNHL patients were significantly lower than the control group.

Conclusion and significance: Our results revealed that the serum levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E in SSNHL patients were lower than those in the control group with normal hearing, indicating that the decrease of serum fat-soluble vitamins may be related to SSNHL pathogenesis.