Intracranial aneurysm occurring as sensorineural hearing loss.

Reports of sudden hearing loss as the first sign of an intracranial aneurysm are sparse and published primarily in the neurologic literature. A case report is presented in which the initial signs and symptoms of a lobular aneurysm in the posterior communicating artery were the sudden onset of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and headache. Following evaluation and identification of the aneurysm, this patient underwent a craniotomy with clipping of the aneurysm; hearing sensitivity improved dramatically following surgery. The world literature is reviewed for cases in which aneurysms have initially occurred as hearing loss, tinnitus, or both. Intracranial aneurysm is discussed as a rare, potential source of a sudden sensorineural hearing loss.