Hearing loss and cerebrospinal fluid pressure: case report and review of the literature

A decrease in cerebrospinal fluid pressure may result in an endolymphatic hydrops through a patent cochlear aqueduct or through the fundus of the internal auditory canal. This hydrops typically leads to low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. We describe the case of a man who presented with a subjective and objective hearing loss in addition to a headache 4 days after he had undergone a dural puncture. We treated him with a standard epidural blood patch. Immediately after treatment, his hearing improved and his headache resolved.