Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Following Wasp Sting and Successful Treatment With Intratympanic Steroids

OBJECTIVE: A sting by a Vespula vulgaris (wasp) should be considered as a cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Although the mechanism of this cause is not well understood, management approach is similar to idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: We describe a novel case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss encountered at a community otolaryngology clinic. It developed in a 26-year-old man after a sting to the ear canal by a V vulgaris (wasp) species. RESULTS: The patient failed to respond to oral steroids, but had complete recovery to normal hearing levels with intratympanic steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by the sting of a V vulgaris species and may be resolved with the use intratympanic steroids.