Trainee

A 52-year-old with sudden hearing loss after a sneeze

A 52-year-old reports that hearing in one ear dropped abruptly during a forceful sneeze. There is no pain, discharge or vertigo. Otoscopy shows an intact, normal-looking drum.

Investigations

Audiogram

0204060801001202505001k2k4k8kFrequency (Hz)Hearing level (dB HL)[[[[[[ air conduction[ bone conduction

Tympanogram

-400-300-200-10001002000.00.51.01.52.02.53.0Ear-canal pressure (daPa)Admittance (mmho)

Abnormally deep tympanometric peak at normal pressure, absent acoustic reflexes, a large downsloping conductive loss.

Which interpretation best fits this combination?