Serum Melatonin Levels in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the serum melatonin levels of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Methods: This study enrolled 22 patients with ISSNHL and 22 asymptomatic healthy volunteers. The subjects underwent pure tone audiometry and serum melatonin levels were measured.

Results: The patient group was composed of 12 women (mean age, 46.41 +/- 7.8) and 10 men (mean age, 48 +/- 6.46), and the control group was composed of 12 women (mean age, 40.25 +/- 5.28) and 10 men (mean age, 38.4 +/- 27.08). The serum melatonin levels were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group (p=0.001). A statistically significant strong negative correlation was found between serum melatonin level and severity of hearing loss (r=-0.644; p=0.001).

Conclusion: Serum melatonin levels of patients with ISSNHL were lower than controls. A statistically significant strong negative correlation was found between serum melatonin level and the severity of hearing loss.