Blood tests as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in adults: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is considered idiopathic in up to 90 per cent of cases. This study explored the role of blood tests as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Method: Two researchers filtered 34 papers into the final review. This review was pre-registered on the Prospero database and conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines.

Results: Raised inflammatory markers are almost universal in sudden sensorineural hearing loss, suggesting an inflammatory or autoimmune process. The most useful biomarkers are neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio and fibrinogen level. Focused investigations should be deployed on a case-by-case basis to identify underlying metabolic, infective and autoimmune conditions.

Conclusion: A full blood count and coagulation screen (fibrinogen) is recommended in all cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. These are inexpensive, accessible and offer as much diagnostic and prognostic information as any other biomarker. There is emerging evidence regarding specific biomarkers for sudden sensorineural hearing loss prognosis, with heat shock protein-70, anti-endothelial cell antibody and prestin demonstrating potential; investigation of their validity through prospective, controlled research is recommended.

Keywords: Hearing disorders; biomarkers; blood cell count; early diagnosis; hearing; loss' sensorineural; loss' sudden; prognosis.