A patient with ankylosing spondylitis may develop hearing loss during the course of the disease.
Patient selection: ankylosing spondylitis
Features of hearing loss:
(1) sensorineural and/or conductive
(2) sensorineural hearing loss is often greatest with high frequencies, but there may be some loss at low and medium frequencies
(3) conductive hearing loss tends to affect low frequencies
(4) may be unilateral or bilateral
Risk factors:
(1) extraspinal involvement
(2) longer duration of the disease
Differential diagnosis:
(1) drug-induced hearing loss
(2) hearing loss from other causes
