Alcohol use disorder is associated with substantial neurologic and systemic morbidity, but its relationship with audiovestibular dysfunction has not been clearly synthesized. This systematic review summarized human primary clinical evidence on auditory and vestibular manifestations, diagnostic findings, treatment, and prognosis in alcohol use disorder....

Audiologists should screen patients with known alcohol use disorder for both hearing and vestibular (balance system) dysfunction, as this systematic review confirms meaningful clinical associations; however, the strength of individual studies limits firm protocol changes pending higher-quality prospective data.

Alcohol use disorder is highly prevalent globally, and this review elevates awareness of its underappreciated audiovestibular consequences, potentially widening the population referred for audiology services.

1. 01Systematic review of primary human clinical studies on audiovestibular dysfunction in alcohol use disorder.
2. 02Both hearing loss and balance disorders are associated with heavy alcohol use.
3. 03Published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS).
4. 04Evidence synthesis can inform screening guidelines for this at-risk population.
5. 05Exact pathophysiological mechanisms (e.g., ototoxicity, nutritional deficiency, direct neural damage) are still under investigation.

PMID

42123490

DOI

10.3390/ijms27093905.

Journal

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Publication type

meta_analysis

Evidence level

1a

Population

Adults with alcohol use disorder assessed for hearing and/or vestibular dysfunction in human primary clinical studies

Intervention

Alcohol use disorder (exposure)

Comparator

Non-alcohol-use-disorder controls (varies by included study)