[Sudden deafness as a presentation of acoustic neuroma].

Sudden deafness (SD) is thought to be a heterogenic group of disorders as to etiopathogenesis. Acoustic neuroma should always be considered in the differential diagnosis. The authors analysed symptoms occurring in the group of 89 patients, diagnosed with acoustic neuroma. A special attention was paid to the role of sudden deafness as a clinical manifestation of the VIIIth nerve pathology. Progressive hearing loss, tinnitus, headache and sudden deafness were the most common complaints. Sudden deafness was developed by approximately 1 of the investigated patients (24.7%). Progressive hearing loss, tinnitus and sudden deafness were also dominating initial signs. The sudden deafness onset was preceded by the period of progressive hearing loss in 3 patients. In one case episode of SD occurred twice.