Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) can significantly impact quality of life. Recent studies propose a link between the use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5is) and SSNHL emergence. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between PDE-5i use and the risk of SSNHL development....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists and prescribers should be aware of a potential link between PDE5 inhibitor use and sudden sensorineural hearing loss; counsel patients accordingly pending further evidence, and report cases to pharmacovigilance systems.
PDE5 inhibitors are widely prescribed, so even a modest association with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has significant public health implications and counseling duties for audiologists.
- 01Systematic review evaluates whether PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil) are associated with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
- 02Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a medical emergency requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment.
- 03The review also examines how this potential side effect affects patients' quality of life.
- 04Findings synthesize existing case reports and observational data — randomized evidence is limited.
- 05FDA has previously included hearing loss as a rare adverse event warning on PDE5 inhibitor labels.
PDE5 inhibitor use is associated with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
studypartially supportedPDE5-inhibitor-related sudden hearing loss negatively impacts patient quality of life.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42746638
- DOI
- 10.1055/s-0046-1820094.
- Journal
- Seminars in Hearing
- Publication type
- meta_analysis
- Evidence level
- 1a
- Population
- Patients using phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
- Intervention
- Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor use (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil)
- Comparator
- Non-users or general population
Primary outcomes
Incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss; Patient quality of life impact