Sudden bilateral hearing loss: Case report of an audiological emergency

Abstract

Hypertensive encephalopathy (HE) is characterized by headache, confusion, seizures and visual disturbance and may progress to coma and death. It is an acute neurological picture caused by sudden increases of arterial pressure. Bilateral deafness is a possible symptom of HE. We describe the first case of a patient affected by a hypertensive attack associated with sudden headache and bilateral hearing loss, refractory to medical treatment, whose condition evolved into coma and rapid expiry. Sudden bilateral deafness can be a warning sign of hypertensive encephalopathy. Prompt and intensive management for HE is needed for patients with sudden bilateral deafness.

• hypertensive encephalopathy
• sudden deafness