Abstract
Hearing loss is a rare complication of mumps infection, however improvement of mumps-related deafness is difficult. In Japan, immunization against mumps is not required and mumps-related deafness is thought to have increased.
We encountered three cases of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to mumps infection. The diagnosis was based on criteria determined by the Acute Profound Deafness Committee in Japan. All cases were treated for sudden deafness with routine steroid therapy.
Case 1 was a 5-year-old boy. He was diagnosed as having mumps-associated hearing loss and his hearing improved. Case 2 was a 27-year-old woman, diagnosed as having mumps-related deafness and her hearing was not improved by therapy. Case 3 was a 43-year-old man, diagnosed as having mumps-associated deafness, but his hearing was not improved with therapy.
Sensorineural hearing loss due to mumps infection is considered difficult to recover. However, some cases showing improvement have been reported such as our case 1. Early diagnosis and therapy are thought to be needed. Immunization against mumps should be required from the perspective of preserving hearing.
