From the Research
Behcet's disease can cause hearing loss in some patients, and management should focus on controlling the underlying inflammation with immunosuppressive medications, with a recent study suggesting that a multimodal approach including oral prednisolone, intratympanic steroid injections, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and acupuncture may be effective in treating severe bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Hearing loss in Behcet's disease typically presents as sensorineural hearing loss, resulting from vasculitis affecting the blood vessels supplying the cochlea.
- First-line treatments often include corticosteroids like prednisone, sometimes combined with colchicine.
- For more severe or resistant cases, stronger immunosuppressants may be necessary, such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, or TNF-alpha inhibitors like infliximab.
- Early intervention is crucial, as hearing loss may become permanent if treatment is delayed.
- Regular audiometric testing is recommended for Behcet's patients, especially those with symptoms like tinnitus, vertigo, or perceived hearing difficulty, to detect and address hearing changes promptly.
Important Considerations
- A study from 2024 found that a multimodal approach to treatment can be effective in improving hearing thresholds and speech recognition in patients with Behcet's disease and severe bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss 1.
- Another study from 2014 demonstrated that audiological involvement is more frequent in patients with Behcet's disease than in healthy controls, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring by an otolaryngologist 2.
- The use of intratympanic steroid injections, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and acupuncture as part of a multimodal approach to treatment is supported by recent evidence 1.