From thunder to silence: Cochlear implantation for bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss after lightning strike

Lightning strikes can cause diverse neuro-otologic injuries. Tympanic membrane rupture is common, whereas bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss with vestibular dysfunction and perilymphatic fistula is rare. Cochlear implantation for lightning-induced deafness has been reported only once....

Continue reading at PubMed →

Lightning-strike-induced bilateral profound hearing loss is a viable indication for cochlear implantation; clinicians encountering such rare trauma cases should consider CI evaluation without delay, though this single case report cannot inform protocol changes.

This case extends the documented indications for cochlear implantation to include lightning-strike-induced bilateral deafness and vestibular injury, informing rare-cause workup pathways.

1. 01Lightning strike caused bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss (complete nerve-related deafness in both ears) and vestibular (balance organ) injury.
2. 02Cochlear implantation was performed and described as successful in restoring hearing function.
3. 03Published in European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology (August 2026).
4. 04Case report is the rarest evidence level—findings cannot be generalised.
5. 05Vestibular co-injury alongside cochlear damage highlights the breadth of lightning-strike auditory trauma.

PMID

42562901

DOI

10.1007/s00405-026-10495-3.

Journal

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

Publication type

case_report

Evidence level

4

Sample size

1

Population

Single patient with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss and vestibular injury following lightning strike

Intervention

Cochlear implantation for bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss post-lightning strike