The patient is a 54-year old man who presented with a sudden profound sensorineural hearing loss in his right ear, his only hearing ear. He had lost his hearing in his left ear as a child to unknown causes. The patient reported having lost all hearing on his right side a few days prior to his appointment. He denied any associated vertigo but did complain of a very loud tinnitus on that side.
He had a significant past medical history with poorly-controlled insulin-dependent diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and obesity.
On exam, his ear canals and tympanic membranes appeared normal. His facial function and vestibulo-ocular reflexes were also normal.