Sudden hearing loss as initial manifestation in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases: Case series

Sudden hearing loss is an acute-onset entity secondary to multiple etiologies, including rheumatologic diseases. Typically, its involvement is unilateral associated with a sensation of ear plugging and tinnitus. The diagnosis is based on the history, physical examination, and audiometry. The first-line treatment is corticosteroids associated or not with other therapeutic agents according to their etiology. The prognosis depends on the degree of initial hearing loss, time of initiation of treatment, and factors inherent to the patient. We presented three clinical cases of sudden hearing loss as the initial manifestation of rheumatological disease.