Unexpected Silence: Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Post-Epley Maneuver in a Case of Posterior Canal Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo

Abstract

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) was first described by Barany in 1921 and is one of the most common forms of peripheral vertigo. The displacement of otoconia into the semicircular canal disrupts the normal flow of endolymph during head movements in specific directions. This disruption leads to abnormal eye movements and vertigo. The Epley maneuver, introduced by John Epley in 1992, is performed only after a patient is diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV using the Dix-Hallpike test. This canalith repositioning maneuver aims to move the dislodged otoconia from the posterior semicircular canal back into the utricle. The Epley maneuver is generally safe, with nausea being the most commonly reported side effect. Here, we report a patient with right posterior canal BPPV presented with sudden sensorineural hearing loss shortly after Epley maneuver. This is the first reported case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss as a potential complication of the Epley maneuver.