The Implication of Viruses in Idiopathic Sudden Hearing Loss: Primary Infection or Reactivation of Latent Viruses?

Abstract
Paired serum samples (77) from patients with known idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL) were surveyed using viral serologic methods. Fifteen different viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were the agents tested. An incidence of 65% (49/77) of documented significant seroconversions to one or more of the agents surveyed was determined. Multiple agents were involved in 24 of the 49 positive cases studied. Influenza B virus in 14 (18%) and rubeola in 12 (16%) were the most prevalent followed by herpes simplex type 1 in 6 (8%), mumps in 6 (8%), influenza A3 in 6 (8%), rubella in 5 (7%) and cytomegalovirus in 5 (7%).