Audiological characteristics and postoperative hearing preservation of vestibular schwannoma presenting with sudden hearing loss

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to characterize the features of VS patients with SHL to provide guidance for clinicians.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

Audiologists should be aware that sudden hearing loss can be the presenting symptom of vestibular schwannoma, reinforcing the importance of prompt imaging referral; however, the retrospective design limits generalisability of specific hearing preservation outcome figures.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Understanding the audiological profile of vestibular schwannoma presenting as sudden hearing loss may improve early detection and inform pre-surgical counselling about postoperative hearing outcomes.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Vestibular schwannoma (a benign tumor on the hearing/balance nerve) can first appear as sudden hearing loss.
02The retrospective study characterises audiological (hearing test) features of this patient subgroup.
03Postoperative hearing preservation outcomes are reported and analysed.
04Published in World Neurosurgery, a peer-reviewed surgical journal.
05Findings may support earlier MRI referral when sudden hearing loss presents atypically.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Vestibular schwannoma can present with sudden hearing loss as a primary symptom, with specific audiological characteristics.

studypartially supported

Postoperative hearing preservation rates are characterised for this patient subgroup.

studypartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42336274
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2026.125151.
Journal: World Neurosurgery
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 4
Population: Patients with vestibular schwannoma presenting with sudden hearing loss
Intervention: Surgical management of vestibular schwannoma

Primary outcomes

Audiological characteristics at presentation; Postoperative hearing preservation rates

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