A Prospective Study of Audiological Manifestations in Patients of Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a type-I hypersensitivity reaction of the nasal mucosa, primarily mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) with complex etiological factors.Allergic rhinitis may involve the inner ear. The scientific basis for this is poorly understood. However, the inner ear has been found to demonstrate both cellular and humoral immunity, and the seat of immuno-activity appears to reside in the endolymphatic sac and duct. To assess the audiological profile of patients with allergic rhinitis. 100 Study group patients and 50 control group subjects underwent detailed audiological assessment. Present study revealed high frequency sensorineural hearing loss with prolongation of Wave I and shortened wave I-III and Wave I-V interpeak latencies on ABR and abnormal DPOAE findings, compared with controls which indicate inner ear involvement (cochlear pathology). Individuals with allergic rhinitis are more prone to hearing abnormalities which can be detected even before any symptoms of hearing impairment are present. However, the exact pathophysiology of inner ear damage in patients of airway allergy is poorly understood and therefore, additional studies in this area are required with a larger sample population to assess the benefits of hearing assessment in patients of allergic rhinitis for early detection of hearing loss.