Malaria induced sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a rare presentation

Sudden Hearing loss has been rarely reported as a presenting symptom of malaria fever. It’s even more rare to have a bilateral profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss. A 19 years old female student presented with fever, body weakness, hearing loss with tinnitus. Laboratory investigations done were essentially normal except blood film for malaria parasite which showed a high concentration of the parasite in blood on both occasions. Otoacoustics emission test was passed bilaterally while auditory steady state response showed profound hearing loss bilaterally. Normal hearing was restored within 48 hrs of commencement of anti-malaria drugs and low dose steroids.