Relation of hyperacusis and peripheral facial paralysis - Bell's palsy

[摘要] Bell's palsy is a unilateral facial paralysis of sudden onset and unknown cause. It may affect salivation, taste and lachrymation depending on the site of facial nerve involvement. Patients can report supersensitive hearing. The stapedius reflex is absent in patients with Bell's palsy.AIM: The objective of the present study was to check if patients with Bell's palsy present hyperacusis. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical prospective. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eighteen patients with peripheral facial paralysis were randomly selected and examined. Complete ENT evaluation was performed, including Hilger facial nerve stimulator, Schirmer's test, electrogustometry, pure tone testing, speech audiometry, immittance testing and discomfort loudness levels. The group aged 31-40 years was the most affected by peripheral facial paralysis in this sample.RESULTS: The incidence was higher in females (61%). The right side of the face was involved in 56% of patients. As to local involvement, grade IV was observed in 44% of cases and grades III and V in 28% of patients each. Only one patient (5.5%) complained of hyperacusis. All studied patients presented reduced tolerance threshold in the audiometric graphs, and stapedius reflex protects these patients by 16dB on average. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we could conclude that the frequency of complaints of hyperacusis in patients with Bell's palsy was similar to that of the general population; however, in audiometric terms, the tolerance threshold in the paralyzed side was lower when compared with the normal side.

[学科分类] 医学（综合）

[关键词] facial paralysis (Bell's palsy);hyperacusis.