Differential Diagnosis for Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Presbycusis: A common age-related hearing loss that can present with mild sloping to severe SNHL in one ear and mild sloping to profound SNHL in the other, due to the asymmetric progression of the condition.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL): Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause asymmetric hearing loss, with the severity depending on the intensity and duration of exposure.
- Meniere's Disease: An inner ear disorder that can cause fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo, with the potential for asymmetric presentation.
- Ototoxicity: Certain medications or chemicals can damage the inner ear, leading to asymmetric SNHL.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Acoustic Neuroma: A rare tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve that can cause asymmetric SNHL, tinnitus, and balance problems. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment.
- Multiple Sclerosis: A demyelinating disease that can affect the auditory nerve, leading to asymmetric SNHL, among other symptoms.
- Stroke or Cerebrovascular Accident: A stroke can cause sudden onset of asymmetric SNHL, and prompt recognition is essential for timely intervention.
Rare Diagnoses
- Usher Syndrome: A genetic disorder that causes progressive SNHL and retinitis pigmentosa, leading to night blindness and eventual blindness.
- Pendred Syndrome: A genetic disorder that causes congenital SNHL, goiter, and thyroid abnormalities.
- Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence: A rare condition where an abnormal opening in the bone overlying the superior semicircular canal can cause asymmetric SNHL, vertigo, and autophony.