Cochlear and retrocochlear immune-mediated inner ear disorders. Pathogenetic mechanisms and diagnostic tools.

Three different forms of immune-mediated sensorineural hearing loss are described. The pathogeneses of these three cases with severe audiovestibular deficits are completely different. To make an appropriate diagnosis remains a dilemma. Autoimmunity plays a certain role, but is not always present. Vascular and neural tissue can become involved. Immune-mediated forms of sensorineural hearing loss can be of cochlear or retrocochlear origin.