Early identification of retro-cochlear pathology is curtail to the preservation of post-surgical hearing and vestibular function, along with aiding in the reduction of post-surgical complications. Often the first symptom is a unilateral decrease in hearing which can be identified through the Navy's Hearing Conservation Program. Three Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or surgically confirmed cases are presented, all referred to the Occupational Audiology Service at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia due to a Significant Threshold Shift (STS) identified during hearing conservation testing. Otologic and audiologic symptoms are discussed.
CDR Bob Rogers, LT Joel Bealer
Naval Medical Center
Portsmouth, VA
LT (sel) James Davis
US Naval Hospital
Yokosuka, Japan