Perilymph fistula typically presents with which of the following?

Perilymph fistula typically presents with which of the following?

• A. Conductive hearing loss
• B. Sensorineural hearing loss
• C. Tinnitus only
• D. No hearing changes

Answer: (B)

A perilymph fistula leaks fluid from the inner ear into the middle ear, disrupting the delicate mechanics and ionic environment of the cochlea. This primarily affects the sensory hair cells and neural transduction, producing a sensorineural pattern of hearing loss rather than a pure conductive loss. The middle-ear structures and tympanic membrane are not the primary source of the problem, so conductive changes aren’t the typical presentation. Vestibular symptoms like vertigo can accompany, and tinnitus may occur, but the hearing change most characteristic is sensorineural.

A perilymph fistula leaks fluid from the inner ear into the middle ear, disrupting the delicate mechanics and ionic environment of the cochlea. This primarily affects the sensory hair cells and neural transduction, producing a sensorineural pattern of hearing loss rather than a pure conductive loss. The middle-ear structures and tympanic membrane are not the primary source of the problem, so conductive changes aren’t the typical presentation. Vestibular symptoms like vertigo can accompany, and tinnitus may occur, but the hearing change most characteristic is sensorineural.