Sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss associated with severe dengue virus infection: Case report

Introduction: Dengue is an arboviral disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, prevalent in tropical regions, particularly in Latin America. Clinical manifestations range from mild illness to severe forms with multiorgan involvement. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a sudden hearing impairment that can have multiple causes, significantly affecting functionality and quality of life, with a poor prognosis for recovery.

Case presentation: A 39-year-old woman with severe dengue, characterized by multiorgan dysfunction, developed auditory symptoms during hospitalization consistent with sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Audiological studies after discharge confirmed profound, irreversible hearing loss. No prior history or other causes were identified.

Conclusions: This case provides evidence of a possible association between severe dengue and sudden sensorineural hearing loss, likely due to immunoinflammatory and vascular mechanisms. It underscores the need for clinical vigilance for auditory symptoms in severe dengue and early intervention to prevent permanent hearing sequelae. Further studies are required to establish associations and pathophysiological mechanisms.