Immune-mediated inner ear disease.

Recent clinical studies, experimental research, and various testing techniques in otoimmunology have resulted in presentation of the synonymous terms autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss, autoimmune inner ear disease, immune-mediated sensorineural hearing loss, and immune-mediated inner ear disease or disorder. The development of this terminology and the clinical presentation of this disease as well as whether it is really a distinct clinical entity are discussed. Laboratory tests for immune-mediated inner ear disease are presented along with a discussion of progress being made in the growing field of otoimmunology.